A glimpse at Germany's classic hotels

The Adlon is one of the most famous hotels in Germany. Just across from the Brandenburg Gate, it originally opened in 1907 but was completely destroyed in World War II. After a complete renovation, it reopened on August 23, 1997. Once a favorite haunt of actress Marlene Dietrich, the luxury hotel is popular with celebrities to this day, from Queen Elizabeth II to former US President Barack Obama.

It blends seamlessly into the other buildings lining the Binnenalster in Hamburg. The Vier Jahreszeiten is all about understated grandeur, although its extensive spa and gym area is state-of-the-art. The view across the city's rooftops is unbeatable.

The Hotel Elephant on Weimar’s main square dates back to 1696. Over the centuries, it has evolved from a humble inn into a post office and then a luxury hotel. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe and Friedrich Schiller were frequent guests. To this day, no one really knows where the name "Elephant" comes from.

The Taschenbergpalais was built in the 18th century as a residence for a mistress of Augustus II. the Strong, Elector of Saxony. Destroyed during World War II and rebuilt in 1995, the hotel juxtaposes historic architecture with modern design. Next door is the Zwinger, the best-known landmark in Dresden along with the Frauenkirche.

Hotel Petersberg, near Bonn, played an important role in Germany's postwar history. Following World War II, the top brass of the victorious Western powers resided here — it became the official guest residence of the Federal Republic of Germany. Former presidents, among them Bill Clinton and Nelson Mandela, have also stayed here. Today, the luxury hotel has 88 rooms and 11 suites.

Schloss Bensberg near Cologne is steeped in history, boasting Baroque frescoes and statues that hark back to its origins as a hunting lodge. Built in 1703, it was a military hospital and barracks before it was converted into a hotel. Today it also houses the Restaurant Vendome, which has two Michelin stars.

The majestic Breidenbacher Hof is a Düsseldorf institution. It's over 200 years old and has hosted members of the European aristocracy from Russian czar Alexander II to Duke Maximilian Joseph of Bavaria. Located on the upscale Königsallee, even today its well-appointed suites are fit for kings.

The slogan of the Brenners Park-Hotel is "A lifestyle in harmony with nature," and this hotel nestled in a lush, landscaped park in the southern German spa town of Baden-Baden is indeed an oasis of calm. From its foundation in 1834, the house advanced during the 1880s to become a grand hotel and is today especially proud of its spa.

The Colombi Hotel takes its name from the aristocratic Colombi family, which built the 19th century palace opposite. Its sumptuous rooms overlook Freiburg's Old Town and minster. Below the lobby and sweeping staircase is a wine cellar housing over 30,000 bottles of selected wines.

The Bayerischer Hof in central Munich was commissioned by Ludwig I of Bavaria in 1841 as a royal guesthouse. Today, with 337 luxury rooms and 74 suites decorated in a range of styles from classic country house to contemporary, it has been added to the list of "Leading Hotels of the World" by the New York-based marketing organization of the same name.

It's not actually a castle, as its name implies. It's a conference venue, founded for that purpose in 1916. Its walls now contain a hotel with a luxury spa, gourmet cuisine and meeting and event facilities. Schloss Elmau hosted the G7 summit in 2015 and 2022. Hotel guests enjoy the luxuriously furnished Alpine retreat in a magnificent setting.