Bordering France and Switzerland, the beautiful Baden-Württemberg region occupies Germany’s southwestern corner. Famed for its automobile-building history, its pretty spa towns and the deep green-clad hills and mountains of the legendary Black Forest. Enormously popular with outdoorsy adventurers as well as foodies and romantics, the region is studded with charming family-owned guesthouses as well as pretty boutique boltholes and idyllic rural escapes. Whether you’re dreaming of cutting-edge design, Michelin-starred dining or a simple hideaway, our list of the best places to stay in Baden-Württemberg has it all.

Stuttgart, the regional capital, is known for its car manufacturing, whilst innovative Mannheim, to the north-west, is reputedly the birthplace of both the automobile and the bicycle. These are lively, vibrant cities with great food and nightlife. If you’re seeking more laid-back romance, look to marvellous Heidelberg, with its gorgeous crumbling castle and age-old bridges, or to the rejuvenating mineral springs of Baden Baden.

Further to the south, you’ll find the vast wilderness of the Black Forest, teeming with wildlife and criss-crossed by some of the country’s best hiking, mountain biking and horse riding trails. Summer travellers will also adore glittering Lake Constance, where you can sail, swim and kayak, or simply soak up the sunshine from landscaped gardens in Konstanz or Meersburg. Don’t miss sampling the wines of the Baden region over the course of your trip, or tucking in to sensational fare at some of the best places to stay in Baden-Württemberg. The possibilities are endless!

The Best Places to Stay in Baden-Württemburg

For Boutique Chic

• Die Reichsstadt is a wonderfully romantic boutique hotel in Gengenbach with exposed wooden beams and private balconies in earthy-toned guest rooms. The restaurant is excellent, there's a cosy fireside lounge and spa, and sunlit terraces for an evening tipple or two. The hotel's tours of the area come highly recommended.
• Heidelberg Suites, perched just across the famous Old Bridge from Heidelberg's old town and castle, is gorgeous. Think elegant modern interiors in a sleek cream and black palette, with big cosy beds, sink-into armchairs, black-framed mirrors and painted beams. The river views are sensational, as are the rooftop bar, superb spa and unusual gourmet restaurant, which sits on a boat. Hugely romantic.
• Hotel La Casa, just minutes from Tubingen's Old Town, has attractive rooms and suites, as well as five apartments with full kitchens. Think big beds topped with bold yellow quilts, pretty tiled bathrooms and warm red curtains. The Michelin-recommended Refugio restaurant prides itself on its creative gourmet cuisine, and there's a fabulous spa for unwinding. Great for guests of all ages.

For Contemporary Cool

• Roomers, Baden Baden, slightly outside the centre of the spa town, is a masterpiece in modern design. Big, sweeping spaces are light-filled, with minimalist decor and striking contemporary art pieces. The best rooms boast sunken baths and dazzling views from floor-to-ceiling windows, whilst the understated restaurant and bar have a sleek, sophisticated feel. Very grown-up.
• Eberhards is a cool, contemporary hotel with minimalist interiors and floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the River Enz. The restaurant specialises in modern regional cuisine, and the riverside terrace is ideal for outdoor dining in the sunshine. Hop aboard bicycles to explore Bietigheim-Bissingen. Slick and stylish.
• Speicher7 Hotel, a former mill-turned-trendy-design-hotel, sits right on the waterfront in Mannheim. Light-filled rooms are spacious and airy, with clean lines, crisp linens and swish bathrooms. Savour craft cocktails at the bar, fusion dining at Marly restaurant, and soothing yoga and meditation classes in the studio. A delight, with a seriously cool vibe.
• Gasthaus Krone is a lovely family-run inn set in Weil am Rhein, part of which is housed in a 16th-century building. A design-led extension has created minimalist modern spaces with polished concrete and floor-to-ceiling windows, too. The real highlight is the acclaimed gourmet restaurant, specialising in sensational seasonal dishes inspired by regional classics. Friendly and food-focused.
• The Alex is a sleek, contemporary hotel in Freiburg with white and cream bedrooms boasting warm blue accents. Cosy up by the fire, or unwind with drinks on the terrace after of a day of exploring. Smart and stylish, this is a top spot for business travellers — complete with conference facilities — as well as for holidaymakers.

FOR FOODIES

• Schwarzer Adler Hotel is a charming property with 14 inviting guest rooms set above a Michelin-starred restaurant in Vogtsburg. Foodies will delight in savouring exquisite French cuisine paired with wines from the hotel's own vineyard and further afield. Chef Christian Baur cooks up a storm in a classic setting — this family-owned gem has had a Michelin star since 1969.
• Hotel Laurentius is a lovely property run by the Koch family. Set on Weikersheim's market square, this small hotel has wine-themed interiors, with dark polished wood, warm red and yellow-orange tones. The big draw is the Michelin-starred restaurant, where four- to six-course tasting menus champion fresh, seasonal ingredients and give classic dishes a modern twist.
• Hotel Restaurant Adler is a traditional, family owned hotel in Lahr with a reputation for sensational cuisine. Having retained its Michelin star since 1990, the restaurant continues to specialise in modern French cuisine, now led by Chef Daniel Fehrenbacher who has taken over from his father. Expect interesting seasonal flavour combinations and use of regional game, all paired with excellent wines.
• Hotel Restaurant Hirsch features quaint rooms with pretty chintz fabrics and warm, yellow-painted walls. There's a classic wooden bar, and an attractive, light-filled restaurant, famed for its Michelin-starred cuisine. Feast on the best of the region at this 19th-century lodge, set just outside of Sonnenbühl. Superb.
• Rebers Pflug, just outside Schwäbisch Hall, is a lovely guest house surrounded by leafy gardens. Cosy yet elegant rooms have a country feel, with exposed beams and hardwood floors. Expect a sensational wine list and Michelin-starrred cuisine, created using seasonal ingredients and produce from the kitchen garden. A foodie favourite.

For Lake Views

• Burgunderhof, in lovely Meersburg, promises brilliant views of the lake and mountains from chic guest rooms with four-poster beds and balconies, the best with in-room whirlpool tubs for two. A vibrant vineyard retreat, this romantic spot will delight keen foodies and contemporary art aficionados. The restaurant champions locally grown produce — and the estate's own wines.
• Pension am Bodensee is a fabulous little B&B with just five romantic guest rooms on the shores of Lake Constance. Think eclectic furnishings and warm tones, big freestanding tubs and a spoiling spa. There's a private jetty and water sports opportunities aplenty in the area. A charming, adults-only hideaway.
• Hotel Riva is a beautiful five-star escape in Konstanz, on the edge of the lake. Elegant rooms boast high ceilings, sash windows and big beds, perfect for restful retreats. The Ophelia restaurant has two Michelin stars and the spa is sensational. Fabulous.

For Families

• Zum Storchen is a modern, family-friendly hotel with a soothing cream and grey palette in rooms with wooden floors and cosy armchairs. The best rooms have balconies and space for additional guests. The restaurant specialises in local delicacies, and offers a friendly atmosphere for all ages. Waldkirch's popular Schwarzwald Zoo is just 10 minutes' walk away.
• Schwarzmatt, a fabulous four-star hotel in the Black Forest, boasts a superb spa with heated swimming pool, as well as elegant guest rooms with private balconies fringed with flowers. The thermal baths are a short stroll away, and the hotel has an excellent restaurant. Classic luxury for the whole family.
• Kesslermühle is a picturesque wellness hotel nestled in the forest-clad hills near Hinterzarten. Spacious, traditionally decorated rooms feature pine furnishings, floor-to-ceiling windows and lovely views. Sink into the indoor pool, enjoy the cleansing effects of the sauna, and unwind with rejuvenating spa treatments. A family-friendly hotel with easy access to mountain biking, hiking and winter skiing.

For a Black Forest Escape

• Schloss Eberstein is a stunning 13th-century castle with its own vineyards on a verdant hillside above the Murg Valley. A beautiful destination for romantics, this elegant hotel combines classic charm with all the mod-cons in rooms with big beds, dazzling views and smart bathrooms. Dine in style in the romantic Michelin-starred restaurant, host an unforgettable intimate wedding, or explore the vast landscapes of the Black Forest on foot or by bicycle.
• Hotel Schlehdorn sits deep in the Black Forest, with lovely rural views and an appealing sense of relaxation. Big guest rooms have pine furnishings and cabin-like pine details, along with modern bathrooms, regional maps and hiking backpacks to borrow. Kick back on the roof terrace or at the expansive spa, enjoy regional specialities at the restaurant, and hop aboard e-bikes to explore.
• Gasthof Sommerau is an elegant rural hotel with chic minimalist interiors featuring natural materials and lots of light. The hotel's big draws are its picturesque setting, with leafy grounds and an outdoor swimming pool, as well as its excellent restaruant, where guests can feast on home-caught game, fish and produce from the kitchen garden. Lovely and not far from Bonndorf.

FOR AUTOMOBILE AFICIONADOS

• V8 Hotel will delight fans of classic cars with its quirky designs. Unique guest rooms feature car parts aplenty, with big beds, and furniture crafted from upcycled car and racing artefacts. Bold colours, racing murals and a real sense of fun characterise this petrolheads' paradise. Motorworld Region Stuttgart is steps away.

For Timeless Elegance

• Colombi Hotel is an elegant grand dame of a hotel, with 112 rooms and suites on the edge of Freiburg's old town, the best offering uninterrupted views of the Minster. Kick back in sophisticated communal spaces with an evening tipple or two before feasting on sensational cuisine at the Michelin-starred Zirbel and Falkenstube restaurant. Timeless luxury.
• Hotel Europäischer Hof is a five-star extravaganza of glittering chandeliers, opulent gold and cream textiles, and heavy sash curtains. The Panorama Spa is dazzling, and the gourmet restaurant a foodie favourite. A lavish luxury hotel for a memorable city break to heavenly Heidelberg.

FOR AN APARTMENT OR HOLIDAY HOUSE

• If you'd prefer a self-catering option, we suggest that you visit our online partner Booking.com.

TRAVEL INFORMATION

• Fly to Frankfurt Airport, Stuttgart Airport or to Nuremberg Airport, all around 1.5 hours' drive away. Most hotels will be happy to organise an airport pick up in advance.
• Baden-Württemburg is great for a road trip! Contact our online partner Rentalcars if you would like to hire a car.
• Visit during the summer months, with temperatures averaging around 23°C between May and early September. You'll find fewer crowds and great hotel deals outside the school holidays.

STILL NOT SURE?

• Explore our list of all the best places to stay in Stuttgart.
• Alternatively, expand your search to see our pick of the best places to stay in neighbouring Bavaria.
• Or contact one of our friendly Gurus for advice.