Best Historical Hotels in North Rhine-Westphalia

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.

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.

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.

Situated just steps from the city’s shopping and entertainment district, this iconic luxury hotel is ideal for people who like to stay in style. While the area is famous for its excellent nightlife scene, the Steigenberger Parkhotel Duesseldorf also features three impressive restaurants right on the site. Spending time in the Finish sauna is a real treat for people who have spent all day seeing the sites, while there is no better way to unwind than by securing a spot on the terrace in the evening and taking in the views right across the city.

Wasserturm Hotel Cologne is located off the beaten track within the city of Cologne but is still conveniently located near local attractions and transport hubs. The hotel offers a selection of modern and spacious guestrooms and suites and featuring the two-storey, three-person King Duplex Suite. The hotel’s dining options include an on-site restaurant, private dining and room service options with a tempting buffet breakfast at Wintergarten. The highlight of the hotel’s gastronomic offerings has to be Bar Botanik, a 360-degree rooftop bar which provides unique panoramic views over Cologne in a unique setting. There is a spa with wellness facilities and treatments for guests to take advantage of in addition to the 24-hour fitness centre. The hotel is also pet friendly.