As one of the most romantic cities in Germany, Heidelberg should be on everyone’s bucket list. Nestled in a picturesque setting, right on the Neckar river, this town will charm you with a magical mix of old buildings and bridges, while its famed Heidelberg castle ruins tower above the historic town center.
Heidelberg is easily one of the most popular tourist destinations in Germany, a city visited by millions every year, that offers superb experiences from sightseeing and culture to gastronomy and entertainment. And for those who choose their destinations according to the weather, Heidelberg lies in one of the warmest places in Germany, with occasional almond, fig and olive trees seen around.
To make your experience in town even better, you should always look for a hotel that will share the charm of the city. In this case, we found the spectacular Europäischer Hof Hotel, which rises easily to the high standards of the city. With a unique history, the hotel, now in the hands of the 4th generation of the Kretschmann family, is superbly keeping its historical charm, that blends superbly well in Heidelberg.
First Impression
This hotel is more like a family household than a big-name 5-star hotel, making the entire experience much more warm and personal than any other hotel can do. The family-run hotel has seen four generations over a span of 150 years, and they strive to make this temporary home one of the best stays for their guests.
It’s one the few remaining five star hotels in Germany still managed by their owners. Knowing that, it’s no wonder why it’s one of the premier choices of most tourists visiting Heidelberg. And not only foreigners, but even locals choose the Europaeischer Hof Heidelberg for their family celebrations, business conferences or various anniversaries.
The hotel shines in every aspect and feels like home from your very first steps inside, with the staff making everything in their power for you to feel most welcome there.
Accommodation
Europaeischer Hof Hotel features a total of 118 rooms, with 100 double and single rooms, 14 suites, 3 executive suites and a Penthouse Suite. The details inside are simply impressive and the quality of the design left us mesmerized. Everywhere you look, there are hand picked fabrics, precious materials and the finest linen for the best of comfort.
While we were there, we’ve had the chance to try one of their deluxe double rooms and we can tell you it was lovely, elegant and super comfortable. The space was generous and the room itself was facing the sunny side with the lush green hotel courtyard in sight. The interior design and decor are wonderful in all their aspects, with lovely arrangements wherever you might turn your head.
The antiques and furnishings really give you the feeling of elegance, and the luxurious beds from the bed maker Schram are large and super comfortable. The bathroom is no less impressive with natural stone, a magnificent tub and walk-in shower. We also had a desk in our room, with a superb view towards the interior garden, making working there a charm.
At the same time, we had all the modern amenities one could wish for, including air conditioning, soundproof windows, minibar, bathrobe, hairdryer, telephone, TV, radio and good internet connection.
Eating & Drinking
Now for the interesting part of our stay there, eating & drinking. The cuisine rises to the high standards as well, and does it wonderfully, with a la carte dishes of the highest quality, or a set menu that inspires.
The hotel’s Kurfürstenstube restaurant is the best place to enjoy dinner, but you might also like Fritz, a superb restaurant that offers seasonal specialties. During the warm summer months, they create some of the most beautiful settings for lunch and dinner in the indoor courtyard.
There are plenty of options that boast culinary finesse, available from early morning until late in the night. But since no meal can come alone, they’ve got an intriguing selection of wines to choose from. The restaurant rooms themselves are also a visual treat for the eyes and their music selection completes the scene, making the entire dining experience unforgettable.
Kurfürstenstube restaurant seems to be well known and widely popular among connoisseurs for its excellent choice of cuisine and superb service. For those in a hurry, there’s also the Europ-Treff cafe or the hotel’s Europa Bar, which are open from 6 in the morning until midnight for some drinks with your friends.
Spa & Wellness
The Spa & Wellness at the Europäischer Hof Heidelberg shines as well. Situated on the roof, there’s a lovely pool with whirlpool corner waiting to soothe and relax your body after a full day of historic explorations.
The Panorama Spa & Fitness is a 600 square meter recreation area above the roofs of Heidelberg, with stunning sights around. They’ve got beauty treatments and relaxing massages, high end fitness equipment and the pool, sauna and steam room will make anyone grateful for being there.
There’s also a sun terrace, which comes with a wonderful panorama of the Odenwald forest, the Heidelberg castle and the stretch of the river Rhine or the Neckar valley nearby. Perfect for relaxing both the body and the mind.
Final Thoughts
In the end, we can easily say that Europäischer Hof Heidelberg exceeded our expectations. The staff made our stay there very personal and private, exactly the sort of thing you expect from a true luxury hotel. Everybody was always smiling, kind and they remembered our names, which made us feel like home. The hotel really has a special soul and a unique atmosphere, and the lovely people who keep it up and running make it like that.
Our room was super comfortable, spacious, and the bed was simply fantastic. We had a heavenly sleep there. The breakfast was delicious and the top sauna and fitness facility made our days end in joy, calm and complete relaxation. The restaurant and bar were also magnificent and the hotel is definitely one of the best we’ve had the chance to stay at. Truly exceptional.
Where: Europäischer Hof (Heidelberg)
Friedrich-Ebert-Anlage 1, 69117 Heidelberg, Germany
Phone: +49 6221 5150
Website: www.europaeischerhof.com
Europäischer Hof Heidelberg
Pros
- Exceptional Staff
- Great Location
- Amazing Food
- Super Chic Rooms
- Historic Charm
Cons
- -
My wife and I stayed at this magnificent hotel, MAY 25, 2023 thur May 31, 2023. Fantastic staff, fabulous rooms, excellent food. I give The Europäischer Hof a 10 plus. We will be back.