Nights In The Past: Historic Hotels in Germany

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Hotel Torbrau
Tal 41, Munich 80331

The hotel is rightly proud of its heritage and age � first opening its doors in 1490 as the Thaltor-Herberge, they are quick to point out that the place was welcoming guests even before Christopher Columbus discovered the new world. Its ancient history, though, is arguably eclipsed by the more recent. Indeed, the rise of Munich�s cultural scene in the mid to late 19th century meant that the hotel received iconic guests whose works are still performed and revered to this day: Franz Liszt, Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy, and, it is thought, Hans Christian Andersen.

Gasthaus Goldener Hecht
Steingasse 2, Heidelberg 69117

The name translates into English as �The Golden Pike�, and since 1717 the Goldener Hecht has been welcoming visitors to the historic town of Heidelberg.

Many of its rooms are named after literary figures and poets who have found inspiration in the town: Goethe, Turgeneyev and Mark Twain. Alas, we can�t ascertain if any of the above actually rested at the hotel, but legend has it that while Goethe dined here, he was unable to find any accommodation.

Others who did find a place to rest their heads include German writers Joseph Victor von Scheffel, Joseph Freiherr von Eichendorff, Bettina von Arnim, and philosopher Franz Brentano.

Hotel Elephant

Markt 19, Weimar 994

Arguably the most historic hotel in Germany, The Elephant dates back to 1542. By the late 1600�s it was regarded as being at the centre of social and cultural Weimar. Located on the old market square, the building temporarily close for extensive restoration in the early 1990�s, ultimately reopening as a luxurious five-star hotel.

Goethe, Liszt, Bach and Leo Tolstoy are among the hotel�s famous artistic former guests, while it is also said to have played host to Adolf Hitler, Karl Marx and Nietzsche.

Hotel Gotisches-Haus
Herrngasse 13, Rothenburg 91541

A recently restored 13th century house now dispensing four-star hospitality to discerning travellers from around the world - The Hotel Gotisches-Haus is almost always rated by guests as one of the best places to stay in Germany, if not Europe.

Originally a bread house for Franciscan monks, the Hotel Gotisches-Haus went on to become a residence of crown princes. In 1474 Emperor Friedrich and four advisors visited, while Crown prince Maximilius of Austria would later make it his home.

Cecilienhof

Neuer Garten, 14469 Potsdam

The Cecilienhof looks for all the world like a grand English country house of the Elizabethan era. The truth, however, is that it was built between 1914 and 1917 by Wilhelm II for his son and daughter-in-law, and is located just outside Berlin. Today it is a 41-room four-star.hotel with an extraordinary historical claim-to-fame.

It was here that in 1945 Churchill, Stalin and Truman met to discuss the future of Germany in the wake of World War II - the Potsdam Conference took place between the 17th of June and the 2nd of August that year.

Brenner�s Park
Schillerstrasse 4 - 6, Baden-Baden 76530

Built in 1834 and originally named Stephanienbad in honour of Princess Stephanie of Baden, the hotel has always attracted notable figures of the time. Writing in the guest book in 1930, Richard Strauss commented on the hotel�s legendary hospitality: "As long as I have been coming to Baden-Baden, and that is for many years since the days of the hospitable Mr. Brenner, I have always been wonderfully cared for here. As an international traveler, I can assure you that one feels more comfortable within these walls than anywhere else."

Prince Michael of Russia, Edward VII and the Maharaja of Kapurthala are just a handful of the many other historic guests.