This historical hotel that’s part of the Relais & Châteaux family puts you near the centre of much of the action while offering a quaint and relaxing retreat from the many tourists who parade around town, trying to capture its architectural beauty. Though heritage in style, a few statement furniture pieces and artworks go a long way in a contemporary feel to the Hotel Bülow Palais.
Situated in the understated, creative Baroque Quarter, close to the old town across the River Elbe, Hotel Bülow Palais is ideally situated for exploring the German city’s historic and cultural sites, but it also provides easy access to Neustadt’s many lively neighbourhood bars, cafés, shops and restaurants.
A longstanding favourite with visitors to the city, the hotel mixes familiar heritage style, hospitality and service with a few modern interior-design touches – brightly coloured walls, ‘jazzy’ furniture and bold artworks. Our immaculate first-floor suite, one of just 58 rooms here, comprised a 50 sq m/500 sq ft living space with a separate seating area, desk and a generously proportioned bedroom. The spacious bathroom sported a powerful rain shower and included in the suite was a separate loo, always a nice touch when sharing with a partner who enjoys privacy and likes to take their time pampering.
At the property’s Caroussel Nouvelle restaurant, there’s a mix-and-match approach between crowd-pleasing bistro favourites and more complicated gourmet dishes, all served on Meissen china. During the summer, the 45-seat restaurant is expanded by 20 al-fresco seats on the terrace, where we chose to dine, before heading inside to the property’s Palais Bar to round off the evening with a nightcap.
The next morning we were treated to an excellent buffet breakfast, which gave us an incentive to get up early to enjoy it before spending the day exploring the city and surrounding area. The Palais SPA occupies a new space on the top floor and offers a wide range of treatments. Staff manage to balance the art of friendly efficiency without being either overbearing or too informal.
| Perfect for | Fly into | Right on time |
| The Culturalist | DRS / BER | GMT +1 |
| While you’re Out There |
| You’re spoilt for choice when it comes to museums in Dresden, but culture isn’t something contained to exhibition spaces here: just a ten-minute stroll from the hotel, Filmnächte am Elbufer (‘Movie nights on the shore of the Elbe’) is a popular outdoor cinema with an ever-changing cultural program. There are concerts, too, meaning no German language skills are required! |
Photography courtesy of Relais & Châteaux Hotel Bülow Palais
