Hotel: Swissotel Dresden Am Schloss, Dresden

There is plenty to like about the newest addition to the Swissotel family – which opened in April 2012 – not least the stellar location, bang smack in the middle of Dresden’s stunning Altstadt. Directly opposite the beautiful Residenzschloss, a former royal residence, Swissotel Dresden Am Schloss is a mere stone’s throw away from the city’s main sites like the recently rebuilt Frauenkirche, the Zwinger Palace and Semperoper.

With its location as but one of its top features, Swissotel Dresden am Schloss has positioned itself as a stylish, comfortable, hospitable cornerstone of your visit to Germany’s ‘jewel of the East.’

The Rooms

The hotel itself takes up a good portion of Schlossstraße and comprises 12 individually designed facades. Consequently the hotel’s rooms and suites come in a variety of forms, some with an open plan bathroom design. The rooms (25-30 square metres) ‘grand rooms’ (35-40 square metres) and suites (60 square metres +) are spacious and accommodating with tea and coffee facilities, a pillow menu, television, work desk and free wireless – always a bonus. The minibars aren’t stocked – something the hotel brand is trailling – instead, you call and place your minibar order and it will be stocked according to your specifications. One way to stop kids sneaking a Mars Bar. The differing forms of the rooms and the bathroom designs mean if one does not suit your needs you can be moved to one that does.

The hotel offers seven conference rooms, an executive roof terrace and a lounge which are available for corportate and personal functions.

One thing to note about the rooms and suites is the use of Swiss wood and the colour green, both designed to evoke Switzerland’s famous affiliation with its natural surrounds. The overall result is a calming, stylish one.

The Restaurant and Bar

The Wohnstube is the hotel’s restaurant and is open to the public as well as guests. It focusses on Swiss cuisine with Saxon touches and has a summer courtyard for warmer evenings. During the day, tea, coffee and cake can be purchased in the Wohnstube – by guests and the public – which also has a bookshelf for those just wanting to kick back quietly with a book.

Most room rates – excluding only the Swiss Advantage Fully Flexible rate – include free breakfast in the hotel’s restaurant. The buffet is generous and includes hot breakfast options, as well as cold meats and cheeses, cereals, fruit and pastries.

The intimate, relaxed Schloss Bar, which fronts onto Schlossstraße is also open to the public and sports a range of wine, cocktails, regional beer specialties and fine spirits. Looking out onto the Residenzschloss, it’s a pleasant spot to kick off your evening in Dresden

The Spa

The Pürovel Spa is one of the hotel’s best features and worth visiting even if you aren’t a guest of the hotel. Among a variety of facial, body and cosmetic treatments, Pürovel also has a mini gym and two saunas – one bio and one Finnish. But the best part of Pürovel is arguably its relaxation room, built in a 15th century stone cellar. Here you can kick back after your treatment, sauna or workout, with tea or infused water and truly forget anything exists outside of the cool stone walls.

Extremely central with excellent features and a friendly, helpful staff, this is a truly top option when it comes to Dresden hotels.

Where: Schlossstraße 16, Dresden, Germany

Contact: +49 (0) 351 50120 0 , fax: +49 (0) 351 50120 555, e-mail: reservations.dresden@swissotel.com

Services: spa, fitness equipment, parking, hotel restaurant, hotel bar, room service, business services, internet access, wheelchair accessible, concierge, air-conditioning