Excellent: These are the 101 best hotels in Germany in 2026

Germany's top hotels are more diverse than ever. The annual ranking "The 101 Best Hotels in Germany" reveals which establishments excel in service, quality, and experience. This award is now considered one of the most important seals of approval in the industry.

The evaluation is based on guest feedback, extensive analyses, and expert opinions. The process is scientifically supported by the International University of Munich. For 2026, hotels were awarded prizes in a total of 14 categories – from grand hotels to design highlights.

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Located directly on Düsseldorf's famous Königsallee, the Breidenbacher Hof is a luxury hotel with 85 rooms and 21 suites. The rooms are flooded with natural light and generously proportioned, offering comfort and privacy. An exclusive "living room" with personal assistants and flexible arrival and departure times make the experience truly special for guests.

Two restaurants and two bars cater to culinary desires and enjoyment, including "The Duchy" with brasserie-style cuisine made from regional ingredients. Guests can also relax in the Royal Silk Spa with a pool, Finnish saunas, a steam room, and a modern fitness area.

Located in the heart of Munich 's old town, the Rosewood combines Bavarian tradition with modern luxury. The hotel spans two historic buildings and offers a total of 132 guest rooms, including 54 suites.

The hotel offers culinary delights at the Brasserie Cuvilliés, the Winter Garden, the Palais Courtyard, and the Bar Montez with live music. At the Asaya Spa, guests can relax in the indoor pool, unwind in various saunas, or enjoy bespoke treatments. A fitness area and a Social House for private events complete the offerings.

Schloss Elmau combines two hotels into a unique resort in the Bavarian Alps. Guests can choose between the Retreat with 47 suites or the Cultural Hideaway with 100 rooms. The property offers six luxurious spas and seven outdoor pools, six of which are heated using wood waste in a climate-neutral manner.

Foodies will also find plenty to enjoy at Schloss Elmau. Six restaurants, including the two-Michelin-starred and five-toque "Ikigai," cater to guests. The resort hosted the G7 summits in 2015 and 2022.

The Hotel Bareiss in Baiersbronn is located in the heart of the Black Forest National Park and caters to guests of all ages. With 120 country-style rooms and suites, the resort offers comfortable accommodations and a seven-day holiday program for families. Single rooms start at around €335 per night, while suites start at €1400, both including half-board.

In addition to nine indoor and outdoor pools, a natural swimming pond, five saunas, and a spa and fitness area, culinary delights are a clear focus at Hotel Bareiss. The eponymous three-Michelin-starred restaurant offers top-class international cuisine that emphasizes the naturalness of flavors.

The Brenners Park-Hotel & Spa in Baden-Baden represents understated luxury amidst a magnificent park setting on the famous Lichtentaler Allee. The renovated main building offers elegant accommodations and a central location for exploring the UNESCO World Heritage city.

Wellness and health are top priorities here: The award-winning "Brenner Spa" in the historic Villa Stéphanie offers exclusive treatments and direct access to the hotel's own medical center. Culinary delights await guests at the "Wintergarten" restaurant, which combines regional products with French influences, and at "Fritz & Felix," featuring innovative grilled cuisine.

The Hotel Europäischer Hof in Heidelberg is one of the few privately owned luxury hotels in the country and is ranked as the "most welcoming luxury hotel in Germany." Built in 1865 and located in the historic Old Town, the hotel is known for its exceptional hospitality and personalized service. With 94 rooms and 16 suites, the hotel combines timeless elegance with modern comfort, offering guests a truly individual experience.

Wellness and relaxation await travelers in the 600-square-meter panoramic spa overlooking the rooftops of Heidelberg, featuring a pool, sauna, steam room, sun terrace, and modern fitness equipment. The hotel also boasts a culinary offering, including the fine-dining restaurant "Kurfürstenstube," which serves French classics.

The Excelsior Hotel Ernst is Cologne's only family-owned grand hotel and is considered one of the most prestigious hotels in the world. With 106 rooms and 27 suites, some offering direct views of Cologne Cathedral, this luxury hotel truly stands out. The hotel is a popular social hub and impresses with its personalized service and elegant furnishings.

Culinary delights at the hotel include the “Hanse Stube”, which offers innovative French cuisine with regional touches, and the Michelin-starred restaurant “Taku”, which serves Asian cuisine at the highest level.

The Öschberghof in Donaueschingen combines luxury, culinary delights, wellness, and a first-class golfing experience in one exclusive resort. With 127 rooms and suites, three golf courses totaling 45 holes, and over 5,500 square meters of spa and fitness facilities, the hotel offers a comprehensive range of relaxation and activity options in the heart of the Black Forest.

Culinary highlights await guests in five different restaurants, most notably the two-Michelin-starred "Ösch Noir". The kitchen team transforms regional products into creative gourmet art with artisanal perfection.

The Do & CO Hotel Munich is a boutique hotel located directly on Marienplatz and features 31 rooms and suites. Many rooms offer impressive views of Munich's City Hall and the Frauenkirche (Cathedral of Our Lady). Stylish tranquility, elegant materials, and state-of-the-art technology create a special atmosphere of well-being.

One of the hotel's highlights is the 130-square-meter penthouse loft suite, spanning two floors and featuring a 70-square-meter private terrace. Culinary delights abound, with Mediterranean creations at the Do & CO Bistro and authentic sushi and Asian specialties at the hotel's own restaurant.

The Bachmair Weissach Spa & Resort is located just minutes from Lake Tegernsee and offers families luxurious retreats in the form of elegantly designed rooms and suites. The resort boasts a 3,000-square-meter Japanese-style spa, accessible only to adults. Hot and cold plunge pools, a steam room, an outdoor sauna, and an outdoor pool provide a welcome escape from everyday life.

The hotel wouldn't have won in the "Luxury Family Resorts" category if its offerings weren't specifically tailored to families. Parents with children benefit from a separate spa with an indoor pool, outdoor whirlpool, bio sauna, and children's area. Sports activities, a kids' club for children aged three and up, and exclusive access to the hotel's private beach complete the package.

Located in the heart of Munich , just steps from Marienplatz and the Viktualienmarkt, the five-star hotel offers 48 rooms and 25 suites that combine modern luxury with the utmost comfort. Marble bathrooms, exquisite materials, and state-of-the-art technology create a stylish ambiance.

A particular highlight is the rooftop pool with its 360-degree views over Munich's old town to the Alps. The offerings are complemented by an exclusive wellness area with a gym, sauna, and steam room. The dining options include the award-winning "Matsuhisa Munich" and the "Munich Sushi Club" on the rooftop terrace.

Located directly on Maximilianstrasse in the heart of Augsburg, Hotel Maximilian’s offers 132 stylish rooms and suites. Here, historic architecture meets modern elegance, complemented by an impressive art collection and a magnificent tea hall with a glass dome, serving as the hotel's social hub.

The hotel's dining options include the Michelin-starred "Sartory Restaurant" and the popular "Restaurant Maximilian's." A 360-square-meter oriental-style wellness area with saunas, a steam room, a fitness room, and a relaxation room provides a haven of tranquility. A new highlight is currently under construction: a 14-meter-long rooftop pool offering spectacular views over Augsburg.

In the former captains' village of Keitum on Sylt, Severin's Resort & Spa offers 62 rooms and suites, 27 apartments, and spacious villas with hotel service. The resort combines Frisian architecture with modern comforts and generous private spaces and is situated directly on the Wadden Sea.

The 2,000-square-meter spa area includes a glass-roofed pool, saunas, fitness facilities, and treatment rooms. Guests can enjoy culinary delights at the "Hoog" restaurant and the Michelin-starred "Tipken's" restaurant. Families benefit from a diverse leisure program, including a kids' club and swimming lessons.

Since 1897, the Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten has welcomed guests from all over the world to the Binnenalster lake in Hamburg . Its 126 rooms and 30 suites combine fine materials with timeless elegance. Those with deep pockets can indulge themselves in the 350-square-meter Presidential Suite.

Nine restaurants and bars, including the three-Michelin-starred "Haerlin," define the hotel's culinary profile. A 1,000-square-meter spa with a fireplace and rooftop terrace, along with activities like sailing on the Alster lake or boat tours through the harbor, complete the experience. Overnight stays start at around €365.

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