Best Urban Hotels in Germany

Set in the heart of Dusseldorf’s downtown district, the Breidenbacher Hof Düsseldorf has established a strong reputation for being one of the best hotels in the whole of Europe. This elegant establishment boasts just 79 rooms and 16 spacious suites for guests to choose from, which helps to create an intimate yet very refined atmosphere. Lovers of fine dining can enjoy an excellent range of traditional German dishes at the onside restaurant, while the indoor swimming pool is the perfect place to unwind.

Dating back to 1876, this 303-bedroom hotel spread over six floors is somewhat of a grande dame in the city. A fountain outside and a gleaming lobby with chandeliers inside, greet arriving guests. The Steigenberger Frankfurter Hof’s Restaurant Francais is Michelin-starred, with a terrace open during warmer months, plus there’s Breeze by Lebua serving Pan-Asian food, a cigar lounge, a cocktail bar and a further restaurant, Hofgarten. The in-house spa at the five-star residence is huge, with a private suite for couples, a hammam and a fitness area. Its central location ensures all the major sites are walkable.

Roomers Frankfurt Legend, a member of Design Hotels, is a uniquely decorated haven in the city with 116 beds. Each of the stylish guestrooms and suites offer comfort and style with a unique, relaxing ambience and range from 19 to 70sqm to suit every need and desire. An unexpected fusion of international cuisines is the signature of the on-site Burbank Restaurant while the award-winning Roomers Bar is a cosy space for socialising and enjoying a taste of luxury. There is a fully equipped spa and gym facility which boasts a stunning view of the city while being a sanctuary away from the bustling metropolis. Roomers Frankfurt features five lavish event spaces for any occasion with the additional option of hosting private functions in the restaurant, bar, and suite. Be sure to keep an eye on the lavish specials and packages available to enhance your experience and make your stay memorable.

Arty and bohemian, this property is found in the Sartorius Quarter. A meeting place for creatives (by candlelight on Moorish-style floor couches), the former factory has been redesigned by Frank Kassner, in collaboration with Georg Rosentreter and Lina Freund. As such, industrial-chic reigns across the 123 bedrooms, with polished concrete, lattice windows, black steel and corrugated iron, offset by upcycled antiques, graffiti, burnt larch headboards, oiled oak floors, and original stone tiles from Italy. The East of Italy restaurant serves Mediterranean-meets-Levantine cuisine and the Weights & Measures bar provides beautifully presented signature beverages.

HARBR. Hotel Ludwigsburg, a member of Radisson Individuals, offers 111 guestrooms in a prime city-centre setting next to the main railway station. Select from five room categories, including spacious Studio+ layouts designed for longer stays, all featuring walk-in showers, smart TVs and high-speed Wi-Fi. Clean lines, subtle nautical details and quality materials create a calm, contemporary atmosphere.

Start the day with a breakfast showcasing regional produce, then return to the lounge bar, a relaxed space by day that transforms into a lively meeting point at night with cocktails and nightcaps. Host business gatherings in a choice of three versatile meeting rooms with the latest technology and support from the events team. Hire a bicycle and explore Ludwigsburg’s grand Baroque palace, landscaped gardens and vibrant cultural scene, all within easy reach of the hotel.

Perched on the river bank in the new Weser district, the Steigenberger Hotel accommodates 137 bedrooms including two suites and two family rooms. A waterside terrace and the bistro are charming places to dine, although a short walk along the promenade will also give you an excellent choice of eateries. The hotel is close to the Coffee Quarter, the GOP Varieté-Theater and a 15-minute stroll to the Old Town. Its entire seventh floor is given over to the wellness centre, where you’ll find a steam bath, the bio sauna and a Finnish sauna with far-reaching views.

The Hotel NH Collection Frankfurt Spin Tower is a unique feature in the surrounding area thanks to its New York City-inspired building and interior décor. The hotel has been designed with modern comfort in mind and boasts 414 guestrooms and suites spread across 17 floors with the highest rooms offering panoramic views from 20 floors up. There is an on-site restaurant and Lobby Bar/Café serving regional and international dishes and light snacks throughout the day. The hotel’s fitness & wellness facilities include a fully equipped 24-hour gym and a sauna for guests to enjoy. The hotel offers and array of spacious and luminous meeting and event facilities, including event planners, ideal for hosting anything from functions to conferences. This hotel is pet friendly.

While the building dates back to 1841, the décor and facilities of the Bayerischer Hof are both modern and very comfortable. Guests can take their pick from some of the most exclusive and elegant suites in the whole city and it is a good idea to book far in advance in order to secure the simply stunning Presidential, Rooftop Panorama. This huge suite feels more like a miniature palace and comes complete with frescoed ceilings, a butler service and a stunning and very large living area complete with an adjoining balcony.

Embedded into the medieval quarter of the city, this design hotel brings a blend of sleek modern lines and nods to times past. Owner Hans Georg Näder has brought his personal passions (art and travel) into the decor, with handpicked furnishings from across the globe and interiors by Anja Müller. The building’s original rustic timber beams and open fireplaces remain, creating a guest house feel, with 59 bedrooms, a restaurant, wine cellar and bar. Zum Löwen boasts one of the most inviting pools in the land with a naturalistic but dramatic lighting design. It’s part of the hotel’s spa, Bains Douches, along with a salt-lined room.

Standing right opposite the cathedral (and the station, making it handy for rail travellers), this five-storey 19th-century townhouse is a refined setting to relax after a day’s sightseeing. Unwind in the spa, or with a drink in the cigar lounge, to the sound of live piano music. Excelsior’s Michelin-starred restaurant Taku is a draw, serving an east Asian menu, plus you can sample French fine cuisine at Hanse Stube, take tea in the Winter Garden drawing room and dine al fresco in the courtyard. The hotel’s decor weaves together antique pieces with contemporary textiles, to a sophisticated effect.

This five-star urban resort is found on the Sonwik waterfront with marina views. Its highlight is a gleaming 2,000 m² wellness retreat – SPA Five Senses – spread over three levels with an indoor pool and an outdoor rooftop infinity pool for adults only, four saunas and a separate junior spa area for kids. This, along with multiple bedded suites, childcare, a kids’ kitchen and a games room, makes it a hit with families. While couples love the many wining and dining options. Bedrooms have coffee machines, and cosmetics by Team Dr. med. Joseph, plush textiles, knitted throws, Scandi lighting and herringbone wooden floors, for a retro-modern effect.

Stay just a little out of the city, in the standalone Germania Campus, a former brewery site, reimagined as a place to eat, drink and sleep. The Factory Hotel’s 128 56 metre square bedrooms and 16 suites are found in a new wing, providing peace and quiet away from the buzzier parts of the destination. Modern and minimalist with lots of concrete, polished steel and exposed brick walls, the warehouse architecture has been embraced. Guests can eat in the Dadi Brasserie or in the Spanish La Tapia bar, with breakfast taken in the Seaside, indoors or out.