Don't think Hotel Elephant in Weimar, Germany skimps on the luxury just because it can trace its history back to the 16th century.

Don't think Hotel Elephant in Weimar, Germany skimps on the luxury (other than air conditioning) just because it can trace its history back to the 16th century.

Too often with travel accommodations, “historical” is a euphemism for old and crappy. Not so with Hotel Elephant in Weimar, Germany. Despite a history that began 300 years ago, and having spent 50 of those years in decrepit East Germany, Hotel Elephant mixes a past that is truly historic (the likes of Goethe to Schiller to Bach kicked it alt schule there) with modern luxury.

The current building, constructed in 1938 and heavily influenced by the art deco style that was so popular during that period, hosts 99 guest rooms and suites. In addition to oak parquet floors, wall paneling with teak inlay work and bathrooms featuring marble combined with fine wood and sanded glass, Hotel Elephant’s Thomas Mann suite (named after the German novelist) also hosts a series of paintings by Armin Mueller-Stahl entitled “Die Manns” (The Manns).

Many of Hotel Elephant's rooms include a comfy sitting area that can be used for appeasement.

Many of Hotel Elephant's rooms include a comfy sitting area that can be used for appeasement.

Hotel Elephant’s location on Weimar’s market square is within 0.3 miles of the Goethe House, Nietzsche Archives and Anna Amalia Library. As with so many other luxury hotels though, it’s a shame that there’s an extra charge for Internet access. (It’s 2010 and Internet access is a basic utility; charging extra for it is akin to charging extra for working pluming.)

The other knock against Hotel Elephant is its lack of air conditioning, a must for luxury hotels that are open in the summer.

Its Restaurant Elephantenkeller draws rave reviews. Located in a vaulted cellar, the menu is as traditional as the surroundings. And the Anna Amalia restaurant recently was named one of Germany’s 10 best restaurants by the gourmet magazine, Der Feinschmecker.

For other historical German accommodations, check out this article on Germany’s best castle hotels.

Hotel Elephant
Markt 19
Weimar, 99423
Germany
49-36-43-8020

Photos: Courtesy Hotel Elephant

Related: Hotels in the Black Forest of Germany; Castle Hotels in Germany.