6 Best Hotels in Trier, The Rhineland

This charming wine estate in the quiet suburb of Olewig offers modern, reasonably priced rooms and suites in a peaceful setting just 10 minutes from the city center by bus. Surrounded by lush vineyards but still only a 45-minute walk from Trier's main attractions, it offers everything from modern but basic rooms to spacious suites with whirlpool tubs. The highlight is the gourmet restaurant, which serves haute cuisine with none of the haughtiness. Choose from three-, four-, and five-course prix-fixe menus, and you'll be treated to an array of delicious dishes that make the most of local game and fish. Wine pairings are available, too, utilizing a mix of Bordeaux and Burgundy wines alongside the estate's own produce.

Markus and Monika Stemper—a passionate cook and a gracious hostess—bring modern style to their country inn near the Luxembourg border. The garden (with palms, ponds, and flowers galore), comfortable rooms, and personal service are all remarkable. Stempers Brasserie (closed Sunday and Thursday; no lunch) serves dishes with Mediterranean touches, enhanced by an extensive wine list.

This Art Nouveau villa dating from 1914 houses a family-run, full-service hotel that offers a nice mix of upscale and home-like atmosphere. With floor-to-ceiling windows in the excellent restaurant, and a rooftop terrace with infinity pool, there is no shortage of great views over the city. Other amenities include an indoor pool, sauna area, and—unusual for independent hotels in Germany—fully air-conditioned rooms. It's close to the amphitheater and Kaiserthermen and offers an excellent breakfast buffet.

With roots dating to the 12th century, this elegant hotel is conveniently located about three minutes' walk from the Porta Nigra. Even the modest rooms are tastefully decorated in subtle earth tones and boast box-spring beds—but if you really feel like splashing out, the beautiful Glockensuite (Bell Tower Suite) features half-timber interior walls and exposed wood rafters. Some of the junior suites also have a view of Trierer Dom, as well as walk-in closets and free-standing tubs for a relaxing soak after a day on the town. The historic restaurant, which has been serving hungry locals since 1803, serves hearty German classics, while the vaulted cellar is an ideal after-dinner stop for a glass of wine. 

Centrally located near the Porta Nigra, this handsome patrician manor from 1885 offers well-appointed rooms with attractive baths. Rooms 317 and 318 are quite spacious and have little balconies overlooking flower-filled Porta-Nigra-Platz. While some of Trier's other restaurants are more stylish, the food here is tasty, as is the ample breakfast buffet.

The friendly, family-run hotel is high on Petrisberg hill overlooking Trier, not far from the amphitheater and a 20-minute walk to the Old Town. The individually decorated rooms have solid-pine furnishings and fabulous views of the city. In the evening, you can sit down for snacks and good local wines in the pub.