Where to stay in Germany: My favourite Michelin Key Hotels for luxury stays and culinary experiences

‘What hotel would you recommend in Germany’ is a question I get asked frequently.

Obviously, there is no straightforward answer. It depends on what you are looking for. A city hotel (and then, how central should that be), a countryside hotel or resort, a wellness retreat, or perhaps a hotel with a fine dining restaurant? And this list is by no means exhaustive.

That said, writing about travel for many years, I have learned that the question is often intended to determine where to go by finding a hotel that ticks off the right boxes, rather than starting with a particular city or region.

If you are anything like me, finding the right hotel is one of the make-or-break criteria when it comes to determine where to go. Which could include some extensive research about the place, it’s amenities and special offers.

While not overly obsessed with ratings, having stayed at many different hotels in many different destinations over the years, I’ve come to trust several leading hotel associations and guides to help my search; and feeling confident I won’t regret my choice when booking at hotels I had never styed before. Perhaps unsurprisingly, the renowned Michelin Guide is clearly one of my go-to tools and I’m more than excited a few years ago it introduced a separate hotel rating to its famous restaurant guide a few years ago.

What are Michelin Key Hotels

First launched in 1900 by French tire company Michelin largely as a marketing tool to promote their brand to early car travellers, the Michelin Restaurant Guide is perhaps one of the most recognized international rating tools. The guide awards up to three stars to restaurants for outstanding quality, creativity and ambience.

Though the guide started to include hotel recommendations over hundred years ago, no official ranking was available until five years ago. Following the launch of a completely independent Michelin Hotel Guide in 2000, the 2025 update became the first to include hotels on a world-wide scale.

The rating takes into account five major categories: Excellence in architecture and interior design, quality and consistency of service, overall personality and character, value for price, and contribution to the neighbourhood / local community.

Globally, Michelin lists over 7,000 hotels in the new Michelin Key ranking, of which nearly 130 are in Germany. Which is clearly too much to cover in one article. Plus, I have not personally visited each of the hotels listed, and while I still trust the guide has chosen each one carefully, I do not want to provide recommendations for places I don’t know from my own experience.

My 10 favourite German Michelin Key Hotels to spark your wanderlust

If Germany is on your travel bucket list, have a look at my curated list below featuring 10 exciting hotels included in the 2025 Michelin Hotel Guide.

Having visited all these hotels myself, in some cases repeatedly, I can only agree with the latest guide. These are among the most worthwhile places to book across Germany.

All but one of them (The Fontenay in Hamburg) are located in the countryside, close to some of Germany’s most scenic destinations and often close to the local wine country. All offer excellent dining options, and some of the on-site restaurants even have their own Michelin-star rating.

3-Michelin Key Hotels in Germany

Hotels awarded with 3-Micheling Keys, the highest possible ranking, are expected to provide an exceptional, world-class experience at the highest level of hospitality with exceptional service, design, and location. At the time of writing just six hotels fall into this exclusive category in Germany.

Having lived in Hamburg for several years, I am familiar with both 3-Key Hotels located in Hamburg, including the iconic traditional Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten directly at the banks of the Inner Alster Lake and design-led The Fontenay. Yet I have only stayed at the latter. Though, if you are looking of an outstanding hotel right in the centre of Hamburg, I would not have a problem to recommend Vier Jahreszeiten.

The Fontenay, Hamburg

Fontenay 10, Hamburg

The futuristic looking Fontenay, build in 2028 just steps away from the Outer Alster Lake in Hamburg is strikingly different from the city’s other luxury hotels. Part of the likewise prestigious Leading Hotels of the World consortium, it burst urban elegance, a striking modern design and casual luxury.

From the light-filled rooms featuring walk-in closets, rain showers and a fully interactive touchscreen control system to the large wellness area and spa, the rooftop pool, rooftop bar and Michelin-starred rooftop restaurant, make this hotel the perfect spot for a relaxed city trip.

The surrounding area is one of Hamburg’s most exclusive neighbourhoods, featuring beautiful Tudor-style villas and stately mansions, small fashion boutiques, restaurants and the beautiful lakeside meadows in Alterpark. The city centre around the Inner Alster and the City Hall are 20 to 30 minutes walking distance, or a short ride on the city’s very efficient public transport system.

For more, check out my post: The Fontenay, a new luxury hotel on the shores of Lake Alster in Hamburg.

2-Michelin Key Hotels in Germany

Alluding to an exceptional stay defined by memorable design, attention to detail, and a strong sense of place, Germany currently counts 37 Hotels in the 2-Michelin Key category. Spread across cities and rural locations, there are many different types of hotels included, and I am personally quite exited to see the stunning Ketschauer Hof in the small historic wine town of Deidesheim featuring among the list.

Ketschauer Hof, Deidesheim

Ketschauerhofstraße 1, Deidesheim

A modern, elegant yet traditional place closely linked to the areas long winemaking history. Owned by the Jordan family, who also owns renowned local Jordan-Bassermann winery next door, Ketschauer Hof is the slightly different wine hotel for wine and food lovers who want to explore the thriving Pfalz wine region. Located in the middle of Deidesheim, a small historic wine town along the famous German Wine Route, the hotel is both a rural gem while in walking distance to some of the Pfalz region’s historic leading wineries and various excellent restaurants.

The historic manor house blends an elegant mix of modern, spacious rooms and exquisite antiques donning the public spaces. A lovely small inner courtyard offers the perfect refuge during warmer months.

The hotel’s two restaurants, the bistro-style 1718 Restaurant and 2 Michelin-starred L.A. Jordan which offers a creative international cuisine mean, you do not need to go far for a true foodie experience. Which is almost a shame considering the many exquisite restaurants waiting to be explored just a short walk away.

For more, check out my post: A perfect wine weekend getaway: Ketschauer Hof in Deidesheim

Bülow Palais, Dresden

Königsstrasse 14, Dresden

Surprisingly affordable (unless your visit coincides with the famous annual Dresdener Opera Ball) the legendary Bülow Palais in the city’s Baroque Quarter boasts luxurious rooms, modern comfort, incredible service, and the excellent fine-dining Caroussel restaurant featuring a French-inspired, modern cuisine.

Dresden’s stunning Old Town with its striking landmarks like Frauenkirche, Semperoper (the opera house) and Zwinger Palace is just a short 15 minutes’ walk away on the other side of the Elbe River.

Louis C. Jacob, Hamburg

Elbchaussee 401-403, Hamburg

For a city not short of luxury hotels, the historic Louis C. Jacob remains a local institution that remains quintessentially Hanseatic.

Nestled on the shores of the Elbe River in Hamburg’s historically most prestigious quarter along Elbchaussee, the hotel occupies an unrivalled location boasting magnificent views over the river. The well-preserved 19th century mansion boasts beautiful décor along with a collection of artworks that would be sufficient to fill a small museum.

Rooms are a mix of classic and modern, some offering views over the river. While there is a small spa and gym area, this is not a hotel you chose for a wellness trip. Instead, Louis C. Jacob is a hotel you chose for three main reasons. The historic elegance, location and above all the legendary gastronomic offer, from the find-dining Jacobs Restaurant (which in summer extends onto the stunning Linden terrace overlooking the river), the wine bistro and the cocktail bar.

1-Michelin Key Hotels in Germany

If you are looking for a standout hotel offering a unique stay, great personality, and high comfort currently you can find 90 hotels across Germany awarded with 1-Michelin Key that will fully deliver on this promise.

Below, I am highlighting my personal six favourites.

Hotel Dollenberg

Dollenberg 3, Bad Peterstal-Griesbach

A timeless icon of the Black Forest blending tradition, elegance, wellness and outstanding culinary experiences. Despite its size (over 100 rooms) Dollenberg has managed to retain a charming personal touch and warmth that stems from still being a family-owned and managed hotel.

Nestled in a tranquil location yet with direct access to the famous 60-kilometre scenic Schwarzwald Hochstrasse (Black Forest High Route), the hotel is surrounded by a large 70,000 sqm private hotel garden including a chapel and amphitheatre. A large wellness and spa area along with a 4,000 sqm large outside terrasse and pool are completing the nature-infused slow-living retreat.

The hotel also boasts the 2 Michelin-starred Le Pavilion Restaurant featuring a French-inspired classic cuisine, in addition to the resort restaurant offering a regional menu.  

While it will feel hard to leave the grounds of the hotel, the serene surroundings of the Black Forest offer nearly endless hiking and biking routes, while the cities of Baden-Baden and Strasbourg are also nearby.

Sonne Frankenberg

Marktplatz 2-4, Frankenberg

A hotel that embodies anything you’d expect to find in Germany’s small, medieval towns that seem as far away from the large cosmopolitan cities as the moon is from the earth. Old town Frankenberg extending just a few streets around the cozy market square lined by 16th century buildings is one of these fairytale locations. On top, it is located along Germany’s scenic ‘Fairytale Route’. You could not make this up if you tried!

Sonne Frankenberg occupies three of these historic buildings on market square, boasting a mix of modern and antique design, a large wellness and spa area, a small pool, and above all excellent dining options. The small, bistro-style SonneStuben Restaurant offers regional dishes while the Michelin-starred Philip Soldan Restaurant features a creative cuisine.

This is the perfect hotel for a romantic foodie getaway.

Hotel Weingut Meintzinger

Babenbergplatz 4, Frickenhausen

Not your usual hotel, not even your usual wine hotel. Hotel Weingut Meintzinger is that type of hideaway serious wine lovers and anybody into rural, cozy setting will fall in love at first sight. Boasting a blend of medieval magic and modern design behind the stunning historic stone façade, Hotel Meintzinger offers 29 are individually designed rooms and suites along with a small spa area with a steam bath, infrared seat, foot bath, and sauna.

There is no restaurant on-site, but the hotel serves a range of snacks in in the evening, and there is a wine fridge accessible for guests throughout the day (and night), stuffed with wines from the Meintzinger winery.

Burg Schwarzenstein

Rosengasse 32, Geisenheim

Breathtaking views over the surrounding vineyards and the blue band of the Rhine River winding through the valley below, paired with luxury accommodation and award-winning food and wine.

Featuring a mixture of historic castle romance and modern design, Burg Schwarzenstein is tucked away in a tranquil small park in the middle of the Rheingau vineyards. Yet Germany’s most historic wineries are just a stone’s throw away.

With two excellent restaurants on-site, Burgrestaurant located in the castle building offering a traditional menu based on traditional regional dishes and the modern Brasserie Restaurant featuring French-inspired fine dining with stunning views over the vineyards.

For more, read my post Review: Hotel Burg Schwarzenstein: A beautiful castle hotel in the Rheingau vineyards

Lieser Castle

Moselstrasse 33, Lieser

A historic Neo-Renaissance and Art Nouveau castle at the shores of the Mosel River just steps away from the famous Mosel vineyards. Built in the late 1800s by Eduard Puricelli, it features magnificent interiors with ornate woodwork, grand staircases, ornate ceilings and authentic fireplaces.

All rooms and suites at Lieser Castle are furnished with chandeliers, wall panelling, sumptuous fabrics, and ornate furniture, and several feature stunning views over the river.

Enjoy an excellent fine-dining menu at Puricelli Restaurant featuring locally inspired dishes, cocktails or local wines at Puricelli Bar or wine tasting at Puricelli Cellar.

The well-known medieval Mosel wine towns including Bernkastel-Kues, Traben-Trarbach and Piesport along with the regions’ outstanding wineries are only a short drive away.

Villa Mittermeier

Vorm Würzburger Tor 7, Rothenburg ob der Tauber

A modern boutique hotel nestled behind the walls of a historic town house just outside the medieval core of fairytale Rothenburg ob der Tauber in the beautiful Tauber Valley.

Rooms feature a contemporary design, while common spaces include the beautiful lobby fireplace and the cozy Michelin-starred restaurant, and the outstanding culinary offer is one of the highlights of this family-led boutique hotel.

For more, read my post Villa Mittermeier Hotel Review: A fabulous culinary weekend in fairytale Rothenburg ob der Tauber

If you are planning a visit to Germany but are yet uncertain where to go, why not start with these amazing Michelin Key hotels. Located in various destinations, from larger cities to the country’s stunning fairytale medieval towns and many right in the leading German wine regions, these hotels are the perfect base for a wide variety of travel adventures and awesome dining experiences.