Hotel Snapshot
Castles connote romance, so it’s little wonder I have a Rapunzel moment when I peer out my suite’s window at Althoff Grandhotel Schloss Bensberg, a castle hotel with gardens inspired by Versailles. I see Cologne Cathedral soaring some 8 miles away, its Gothic spires penetrating the hilly local landscape that unfurls to the River Rhine. Sipping Champagne at this Leading Hotels of the World member, a five-star hotel that hovers above a characteristic German village, I also nibble food by Michelin-starred chef Joachim Wissler and peruse the owner’s world-class art collection in between time in the spa and quick chauffeured trips into Cologne to explore the historical city on the Rhine.
Design & Character
The second largest baroque palace north of the Alps, the castle was built in 1703 by Prince Johann Wilhelm II for his second wife, Maria-Luisa de Medici. He’d wanted to give her a hunting lodge, but the Prince’s love project took on more regal proportions after he visited Versailles, where he was inspired to mimic the magic of it. Today, the castle holds an eclectic assortment of riches from stucco touches and gild to modern art, contemporary flourishes, antiques, and Art Nouveau—and other era— furniture. Not stuffy, it’s an intimate place that feels much like you’ve been invited to a weekend house party at a country estate.
The Rooms
Oversized rooms, each unique to its space, sport stylish furnishings, sumptuous fabrics, and opulent bathrooms—all befitting the princely life. Many frame views of Cologne Cathedral, while others look over the garden or the verdant Bergisches landscape. The Presidential Suite stretches some 1,700-plus square feet, with an immense marbled bathroom and private sauna.
Food & Drink
Epicureans travel from all over the world to eat at two-starred Joachim Wissler’s Restaurant Vendôme, known for its “New German” cuisine, rife with regional products. Also at the hotel, Trattoria Enoteca serves up Tuscan specialities and the Salvador Dali Bar brings French bistro dishes to the table in a speakeasy-like space, sheathed with Dali paintings and drawings.
Spa and Wellness
Renovated in 2021, the 4 Elements Spa by Althoff incorporates some 10,000 square feet of salubriousness. A haven of saunas, treatment rooms, a pool, and a fitness area, it utilizes peerless beauty lines such as La Prairie, Ligne St. Barth, and Clarins.
Location and Neighborhood Recs
The hotel hovers above a characteristic village, which sits among forest and parkland. A place for a romantic rendezvous or to hide away to finish that novel, it is a destination in itself.
Fast Facts
Location: Bergisch Gladbach, Germany (Thirty minutes by train to Cologne, or twenty minutes by car)
Vibe: Old world, timeless, romantic
Rating: Five-Star
Room Count: 77 rooms and 34 suites
Pricing: Rates start at $270 per night.
Our Favorite Thing About the Hotel: It’s a castle without being cliche. We love the art collection and the old-world vibe of the Salvador Dali Bar.
Dining: Various restaurants, including the much-touted Restaurant Vendôme
Amenities: Indoor pool, fitness center, world-class dining, cocktail bar, spa & wellness offerings, free wi-fi
Nearby Attractions: Hiking is fantastic around the castle, as it is located in the Bergisches Land Nature Park. The beautiful city of Cologne offers tons of diversions, including its brewery restaurants, known as “Brauhäuser."
Airport: Cologne Bonn Airport
