Where to Stay in Germany: My Best Picks
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You’ll find accommodations in Germany to be clean and reasonably priced, but not always comfortable.
Get used to single duvets on double beds! For reasons I don’t understand, each person gets their own duvet, and double beds are often two single beds pushed together.
In this post, I provide general tips about accommodations in Germany and then list hotels I recommend.
Recommended hotels are comfortable, well-located, and usually family-run, perfect for art lovers, drivers, and travelers who value character over chain hotels, although occasionally I do recommend a chain hotel if it’s really good such as the Radisson Blu I stayed in Leipzig.
Table of Contents
Top Five Hotels at a Glance
Here are my five favorite recommended hotels in Germany:
- Hotel Drei Kronen in Cologne
- Hotel Rheinfels in Sankt Goar
- Radisson Blu Hotel Leipzig in Leipzig
- Hotel Wedina an der Alster in Hamburg
- Hotel Estricher Hof in Trier
Choosing a Room
To Book or Not to Book?
I book almost all the hotels on my itinerary before I leave home so I know I have somewhere to stay in every location. Then, while traveling, I sometimes alter bookings to follow a new route or in response to hearing about a cool location I hadn’t known about.
TIP: Stay flexible when you travel. You never know when you might meet someone who recommends a festival or event or exhibition. More than once, I’ve altered an itinerary to attend a special exhibition or visit a new attraction.
Choose a hotel booking site that allows you to book, change, or cancel hotel reservations if your itinerary changes. I mostly use booking.com and Trip.com.
Both sites offer a no-cancellation option at a lower price. However, I never choose the no-cancellation price unless I’m 100% sure I’ll be staying at the hotel.
For example, I’ll select the no-cancellation price for hotels I’m staying at in the cities I fly into and depart from, because those locations won’t change.
But overall, stay flexible. I’ve learned that sticking to a rigid itinerary with no-cancellation accommodations can end up costing you a lot more money than you save.
Breakfasts in Germany
In addition to the usual fruits, cereals, and eggs, hotel breakfasts in Germany always include meat, cheese, and a great selection of breads and pastries.
The abundance and quality of some of the buffet breakfasts I’ve seen in Germany defies belief and stomach capacity. Usually, I only opt for the hotel breakfast if it’s included in the room rate.
Star Rating
I favor three- or four-star properties that offer amenities I value, such as elevators, air conditioning, parking, bathtubs, and in-room Wi-Fi.
I also like larger rooms. Check the square meterage of the room. Anything under 15 square meters will be very small, with a child-sized shower stall and barely enough room to wedge your suitcase against the wall.
Reviews – Should You Care?
Yes, I think you should pay attention to reviews. If a property’s aggregate review score is under 8.0 out of a possible 10, I usually pass.
Sometimes, the difference between a property with a 9.6 review and one with an 8.2 review is only a few euros, and yet the quality of the higher-rated property is worth the extra money.
You have to take reviews with a grain of salt, however. Just because a property has a score of 9.8 doesn’t mean it’s five-star luxury. Check the star rating and realize that a 9.8 score for a two-star hotel is not the same as a 9.8 for a four-star, and proceed accordingly.
TIP: Read reviews on a few sites, such as booking.com and TripAdvisor. I take my time when booking accommodations in Germany and elsewhere to make sure I’m getting the best value for my travel dollar.
For more tips on finding accommodations, read Six Steps to Making Awesome Accommodation Choices in Europe.
Accommodation Options by City in Germany
To help you plan your travels in Germany, here are my recommendations. I describe properties I’ve stayed at, along with a map of some destinations to help you choose additional properties.
Click the link to the hotel to make a reservation.
Berlin
During a week in Berlin, I rented an apartment in the Kreuzberg area. While relatively central and close to a U-Bahn stop, I didn’t find the area as interesting as the Prenzlauer Berg in northern Berlin.
I haven’t stayed in a hotel in Berlin yet, so I recommend using the map below to find a well-rated property in Prenzlauer Berg or Mitte.
Hamburg
Hamburg is a great city for a short stay. I found accommodation costs high, but worth it to get a place near the center. I stayed in Hotel Wedina an der Alster, which is quite close to the lake and within easy walking distance of the fabulous Hamburger Kunsthalle, where you’ll find an excellent collection of paintings. The breakfast here was outstanding.
Cologne
I stayed close to the river in the area of Cologne that was rebuilt in the old style. I wholeheartedly recommend the Hotel Drei Kronen, a comfortable three-star property. From our room, we enjoyed a panoramic view over the Rhine.
St. Goar (Sankt Goar)
In St. Goar, I recommend the Hotel Rheinfels, which overlooks the river. The room was large and comfortable, the breakfast excellent, and the proprietor very friendly.
Trier
In Trier, we stayed at the Hotel Estricher Hof on the outskirts of the city and overlooking the Mosel River. I was driving, and didn’t want to navigate the narrow streets of the city.
As it turned out, I drove into Trier for the evening with no problems, so consider a hotel in Trier proper so you can walk to the various sights.
Nuremberg
We stayed one night in Nuremberg at the TIPTOP Hotel Burgschmiet Garni, located outside the city walls. The room was tiny and the parking tight, but the breakfast was incredible!
If you’re not driving, consider something more quaint and interesting inside the city walls. Nuremberg is a pretty town with lovely views over the river and its fair share of half-timbered houses.
Leipzig
In Leipzig, I loved staying at the Radisson Blu Hotel Leipzig, located across the road from the Gewandhaus concert hall where we attended a Chopin piano concert (sublime!). The hotel was close to the center of Leipzig and easy to drive to.
Our room was enormous, with great views over the city. Usually, we don’t choose chain hotels, but the Radisson was comfortable and stylish.
Munich
In Munich, I scored an excellent deal at the Hilton Munich Park. Sometimes, you can find surprisingly reasonable rates at Hilton properties. I’m not sure why.
I enjoyed a large room that overlooked the English Garden. The hotel is a 14-minute tram ride from the Marienplatz and features an indoor pool and possibly the largest breakfast buffet I’ve ever seen in Europe.
Tours & Tickets in Germany
Here are some options for tours in Germany through GetYourGuide and Tiqets.com, both companies I’ve booked with several times, and had good experiences.
Keep Exploring Germany with Artsy Traveler
Once you’ve secured your accommodations, check out what there is to see in the places you’re visiting. Here are some posts to help you choose:
- Amazing Artsy Sightseeing in Germany for the Independent Traveler
- Cologne’s Museum Ludwig: Best Bet for Modern Art Lovers
Booming Berlin: Artsy Sightseeing at Its Best
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