Historic Hotels in Dresden, Luxury but Affordable

Historic hotels in Dresden described below are all 4-star or 5-star hotels. They represent not only the world of comfort but also the contrary history of Dresden. Each hotel has an interesting background and impressive architecture. But during the air raids on Dresden in 1945, these hotels turned into ruins. After 1950, some hotels were rebuilt or reconstructed, while others not. Nevertheless, after the reunification, new owners or investors have spent huge amounts of money to renovate or reconstruct the below mentioned historic hotels in Dresden. Now they have become the middle and upper-level hotels.

In general, the living cost in Dresden is still low compared to some big cities such as Frankfurt or Köln in Germany. Therefore, the room prices of those 4-star or 5-star historic Hotels in Dresden are affordable. Besides, they are all in the centre of the Dresden and thus close to major historical sites. Travelers can benefit from great convenience. The historic hotels in Dresden I will introduce are:

Steigenberger Hotel de Saxe

Located right next to the famous Frauenkirche, Steigenberger Hotel de Saxe in Dresden has a very convenient position. Landmarks such as Semper Opera House, Zwinger and the Royal Palace are within a few minutes of walking distance.

Dating back to 1834, the Prussian Johann Heinrich Gerstkamp put several buildings at Neumarkt in Dresden and formed the hotel. Based on the three former houses, the building complex had three upper floors, a mezzanine, and a mansard roof. Inside of the hotel is a spacious concert and ballroom. The Hotel de Saxe targeted mainly wealthy guests at that time. Besides, the Dresden high society also met here for ball nights or chamber music evenings.

However, in 1888 the hotel was closed because Gerstkamp failed to modernize and increase the demands of the house. Then, a stately residential and commercial building with a Neo-Baroque sandstone façade replace the old hotel. After the war, the area remained undeveloped. And, from the beginning of the 1990s, it stored the stones of the Frauenkirche. In 2003, the investor decided to equip the new hotel building with the façade from the demolished hotel in 1888 to resemble the 19th century’s square view. At present, Steigenberger Hotel Group operates the hotel business.

Do you want to stay at the heart of Dresden? Then please find some good offers at booking.com.

Schloss Hotel Dresden Pillnitz

Among the historic hotels in Dresden, the Schloss Hotel Dresden Pillnitz belongs to the Pillnitz castle complex, which is located next to the summer residence of the King Friedrich August I of Saxony. Being one of the most beautiful palaces in Europe, the baroque residence of Friedrich August I in Pillnitz has very beautiful gardens, the Elbe river scenes, and the impressive architecture built in the past decades. It creates a magical atmosphere that you will never forget.

The guests of the castle hotel can enjoy a friendly atmosphere with excellent service, pure relaxation in a quiet location, a unique and picturesque Baroque architecture right on the Elbe, and a range of culinary options. Please check the hotel details at booking.com.

After the sightseeing in Dresden, instead of using public transportation, you can take Elbe River Cruise back to Pillnitz castle hotel. The cruise takes several hours and is well worth the money.

Related post: Pillnitz Castle and its Beautiful Park in Dresden, Germany

Hotel Gewandhaus Dresden Autograph Collection

The Hotel Gewandhaus (a garment house) is a baroque building in the city center of Dresden. Built between 1768 and 1770, it used to be a garment house. But since 1967, it has functioned as a hotel.

The building is in the style mixed of Rococo and early Classicism. The facades of the simple three-story building are divided by subtle pilaster strips. Rows of windows line up symmetrically. If you look at the front side, all windows are grouped into 5 sections. The ground floor has large arched windows. The middle section has a triangular gable with an oval window and the coat of arms attached above the entrance.

Around 1925, the city councilor Paul Wolf decided to rebuild it for Dresden city bank. During the devastating air raids on Dresden in February 1945, this centrally located building turned into a ruin. Between 1964 and 1966, the external reconstruction took place. On the 2ed of April 2015, the five-star Hotel Gewandhaus Dresden has become part of the German hotel group Seaside Hotel. You can find the best offer at booking.com.

Hotel Schloss Eckberg Dresden

In 1858, the merchant Johann Daniel Souchay from Manchester bought the “Eckberg” vineyard. A few years later, the castle, the park, and the adjoining buildings were completed as an English mansion in Neo-Gothic style. After his death in 1871, his heirs sold the property and the ownership changed several times. Decades later, in 1925, the new owner and the inventor of the aluminum tube and the toothpaste “Chlorodont”, Ottomar Heinsius von Mayenburg, was rich enough to turn the Schloss Eckerberg into his lifelong dream.

After the expropriation of the Mayenburg family in 1952, Schloss Eckberg was a dormitory, then the trade union school, and later a place for the manufacture of electronic parts. East Germany re-discovered its historical heritage and did renovations in the 1990s.  The castle Eckberg became the Youth Tourist Travel Association.

After the German reunification, the family von Mayenburg became the owner of the Schloss Eckerberg again. However, they sold the property to a Munich-based company a few years later. Between 1996 and 1997, the castle, the adjoining buildings and the garden were completely renovated and expanded. Thus, it becomes the luxury hotel. You can book a room from Hotel Schloss Eckberg on booking.com.

Related post: Medieval Castles in Dresden and the City Surroundings

Hotel Taschenbergpalais Kempinski Dresden

The Hotel Taschenbergpalais Kempinski in Dresden is just next to the Residenzschloss and directly opposite the Dresdner Zwinger .Built at the beginning of the 18th century, in the heyday of the Dresden, the Taschenbergpalais was as a gift from King Augustus the Strong to his mistress Constantia von Cosel.Destroyed in the air raids in February 1945, it remained as a ruin for almost half a century. From 1992 to 1995, the palace was rebuilt based on its original style. Since then, the hotel has won several prizes, for example, it was voted the best new hotel in Germany in 1995.

The hotel complex represents the lavish Dresden baroque style, while the interior of the building is in modern design. In March 31, 1995, the Taschenbergpalais Kempinski Dresden re-opened, and it was the first 5-star luxury hotel in Saxony.

On 4 June 2009, the 44th President of the United States of America Barack Obama spent the night in the Hotel Taschenbergpalais during a visit to central Germany. Other well-known political figures who stayed there are such as Vladimir Putin, Jacques Chirac, the noble person Beatrix Queen of the Netherlands, Prince Albert II of Monaco and many famous artists.

The hotel has some good offers during the off seasons. Please check its details at booking.com.

The Bilderberg Bellevue Dresden

The house was used as a living, brewing and malt house until 1733. Then, the Saxon Court acquired the house and converted it into a law firm. Since 1736, the Baroque building had mainly been the seat of ministries. Over the years, it served such as the Ministry of Justice, the state government, state administration.

Magically, it survived from air raids in the February 1945. After 1950, until the early 1980s, the baroque building had various functions. Between 1982 and 1985, the hotel had undergone major reconstruction. With the redesign, it achieved international hotel standards. It has wellness and congress area. And, its garden featurs Neo-Baroque elements and cherry trees.

The Hotel Bilderberg Bellevue was inaugurated at the same time as the reopening of the Dresden Semperoper on February 13, 1985. Its target guests were mainly visitors from western countries. However, East German citizens were usually unable to stay overnight, except for the famous politicians, sports persons and cultural persons.

At the end of the year 1989, several political events took place in the hotel. For example, part of the reunification negotiation between the Prime Minister of the GDR Hans Modrow and Chancellor Helmut Kohl took place in the hotel. And, the Hotel Bellevue became Bilderberg Bellevue Dresden.  You will find the details of the hotel at booking.com.

Travel tips

Dresden is, in general, an underrated place in Germany, Europe. Having spent several days there, I would recommend taking a look at this place if you are around Berlin or Prague. You can also make many day trips from Dresden. The historic hotels in Dresden are also the historical sites. By all mean, to stay a couple of nights in these hotels will bring you a memorable experience.

Now, in which historic hotels in Dresden would you like to stay if you plan to visit Dresden?

13 Comments

  1. I really appreciate how you have detailed about each and every historically significant hotels in Dresden. Among all of them, I would love to stay in Schloss Hotel Dresden Pillnitz. I am intrigued by the idea that I am staying in a part of the Pillnitz Castle Complex. How cool is that! This is surely going to be in my list now.

  2. I sure would not mind a princely experience in one of these. They really have interesting histories. The Hotel Schloss Eckberg Dresden particularly had an interesting one. From a vineyard to palace to the german war and later a hotel…now that is quite a journey. Am sure they have memoirs of these within and that is good enough for me to try out the place.

  3. If it was not for this post I would have never thought of exploring Dresden I must be honest as it’s not that promoted vs some of the other more popular cities. Some great accommodation as you had rightly said but not at unaffordable prices. One of my favourites would be without a doubt the Steigenberger Hotel de Saxe. The architecture and the central location makes it my choice and close proximity to the places to visit. There is a great choice I must say. Thanks for sharing.

  4. Each of these hotels in Dresden looks absolutely amazing. I especially like the sound of Schloss Hotel Dresden Pillnitz with the gardens, river, and royalty. But, the Hotel Taschenbergpalais Kempinski looks equally impressive. I’d say there’s not a bad choice in this selection–I’d be happy to stay at any one of them! Plus, I’ve developed a taste for 4- and 5-star hotels with a historic feel so this selection will come in handy whenever I visit Dresden. Thanks!

  5. These historical hotels look so beautiful. Staying here must be quite an experience. The Schloss Hotel Dresden Pillnitz looks amazing with great vintage architecture. It’s interesting to read that the Westin Bellevue Dresden still stands tall after the air raids.

  6. To be honest, Dresden has never been on my list in Germany to visit, I think you have just changed my mind. The hotels look amazing and the history that goes with them is just what I like to learn when I stay at a historical hotel or in a historical town like Dresden. I have a hard decision on which hotel to stay in when I visit.

    1. Hi Jane,

      Same to me. Though I have been living in Germany many years, I had never considered a trip to Dresden. My trip has also changed my view. And for sure I will be back soon.
      Thanks for the comments.

      Mijia

  7. These hotels are all so beautiful! I love the architecture of the Hotel Taschenbergpalais Kempinsk and the gardens at the Westin Bellevue. However, the Eckberg Castle looks like a dream! How cool to be able to actually stay there. It is gorgeous! I will have to put it on my list for my next trip to Germany.

    1. I knew Dresden was heavily bombed during WWII and for that fact I’ve never thought much about visiting as I love the old. Great to see how they’ve used these hotels in the past and that some have been renovated to reflect their original allure. Have worked in student dormitories management for a long time, my students would have loved to living in a place like the Eckberg Castle.

      1. Hi Maureen,

        I have been living in Germany for so many years and also never thought of going there. My trip to Dresden has changed my view of the area. I will sure to plan another trip there soon.

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