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A luxurious weekend at the new Steigenberger Icon Europäischer Hof Baden-Baden
Champagne sparkles in frosted glasses. Delicate, succulent scallops in beurre blanc as an appetiser, plus the breathtaking view from the Luiza Rooftop Terrace & Bar at the Steigenberger Icon Hotel in Baden-Baden – the start to a wonderful weekend couldn't be better. The view stretches far beyond the rooftops of the charming spa town in the northern Black Forest, about which former US President Bill Clinton once said during a visit: "Baden-Baden is so nice you have to name it twice."
On one side lies the heart of the city of 50,000 inhabitants, with shopping boulevards lined with Belle Époque houses and the old town, whose romantic cobbled streets wind their way up to the market square and the former castle of the Margraves of Baden. On the other side, the stars are the neoclassical Kurhaus with its world-famous, magnificent casino and the Trinkhalle, built in the 19th century, where European nobility once refreshed themselves with a sip of soothing thermal water in the 90-metre-long colonnaded promenade, and where concerts and events are now held. The Steigenberger Icon's in-house DJ sends casual chill-out beats across the terrace – a dream, not only at sunset.
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- The Steigenberger Icon Baden-Baden shines in new splendour. It is located in the heart of the city on the River Oos.
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- Mediterranean flair, panoramic views of the heart of Baden-Baden and great chill-out beats from the in-house DJ: the Luiza Rooftop Terrace.
The Steigenberger Icon in Baden-Baden has been back on the hotel scene since August 2025. The historic grand hotel on the Oos river in the heart of the city was closed for eleven long years. Over the last four years, it has been completely renovated and reopened in new, contemporary splendour with tasteful references to its Black Forest location.
The history of this luxury hotel dates back to 1840. At that time, it was called the ‘Hôtel de l'Europe’ and hosted countless heads of state, artists and stars, such as Sisi, Empress of Austria.
In 1930, the hotel changed hands almost fatefully: Albert Steigenberger (1889–1958) started his hotel empire in Baden-Baden – rather by chance. In 1930, the original owner of what was then the ‘Hôtel de l'Europe’ owed the Bavarian businessman, who had been living with his family in Baden-Baden in what is now Villa Stroh since 1926, a large sum of money. Unable to pay, Albert Steigenberger received the hotel instead. Legend has it that he slept in a different room every night in order to identify and remedy any shortcomings. The result: a luxurious hotel gem that attracted celebrities from the worlds of acting, politics and nobility for decades.
And now the Steigenberger Hotel Grandezza is back with 126 rooms, suites, long-stay apartments, a rooftop terrace, bar, restaurant, gym and spa!
Anyone who checks in here – for example, in a Deluxe Heritage Room with a balcony and a view of the spa gardens and the casino – will immediately feel at home. The high-ceilinged rooms with parquet flooring are elegantly furnished in a modern style with cocktail chairs and comfortable midnight blue box-spring beds with luxurious bed linen and wonderfully large duvets. Wallpaper by Fornasetti, harmoniously applied to sections of the walls, adds a touch of exotic sophistication. The bathroom is tiled with timelessly chic black and white mosaics and everything else that discerning travellers could wish for is also provided: a desk, snacks, a television, a coffee machine, a well-stocked minibar and a digitally controlled lighting and room system. Several lifts connect the floors, but the architectural star is the historic, spacious staircase, which Marlene Dietrich once strolled through. An art installation in the form of a large pearl necklace spanning several floors is a reminder of the glamorous actress, who was a frequent guest and appreciated the short distance to the casino.
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- Enchanting: the Deluxe Heritage Room with balcony overlooking the spa gardens
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- In the historic stairwell, you walk into the lobby just as Marlene Dietrich once did. The light installation in the form of a pearl necklace is a tribute to the actress.
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- Stylish seating areas in the airy entrance hall with openings to the ‘Auerhuhn’ bar – the lobby
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- The Presidential Suite offers tasteful luxury. The Fornasetti wallpaper behind the TV sets is a real eye-catcher.
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- Whether breakfast, lunch or dinner: Café de l’Europe is the heart of the hotel.
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- Here, everyday life is far away: the pool at The Vault spa, located in a former bank vault.
Even in the lobby, there is no trace of days gone by: it has been completely redesigned and furnished as an airy hall with tasteful, modern seating areas, complemented by attractive photographic art – as in the rooms and suites – by Sebastian Wehrle, a photographer from the Black Forest. Three flights of stairs higher and connected to the lobby by openings, the Auerhuhn Lounge Bar offers an intimate and cosy atmosphere. Signature drinks with a Black Forest touch are served on plum and grey-blue velvet armchairs by the crackling fireplace. A few steps further on, guests reach the heart of the hotel. In the Café de L'Europe restaurant, with its floor-to-ceiling glass front opening onto the spa gardens, guests sit comfortably in soft upholstered chairs with a view of the greenery under an Asian-inspired lamp sky and enjoy fine brasserie cuisine with a local touch. The menu also features Baden-Baden saddle of venison, a tender new interpretation.
For private events, there is a separate room with a round marble table for twelve people in an elegant old-building aesthetic – an almost cinematic backdrop.
If you don't feel like visiting Baden-Baden's wellness oases such as the nearby Caracalla Thermal Baths or the historic Friedrichsbad after breakfast, you can pamper yourself with a treatment or massage at the Steigenberger Icon spa. The Vault Spa & Suites is a 1,300 square metre oasis of calm, located in part of what was once – as the name suggests – a bank vault. The four saunas, relaxation rooms and small pool with bubble loungers are the perfect place to unwind. Afterwards, take the lift up to the Luiza Rooftop Terrace & Bar. Once you've enjoyed a glass of champagne with a dream view of Baden-Baden, you'll realise that you could easily stay at the Steigenberger Icon for longer than just a weekend.
Info:
The trip was supported by the Steigenberger Icon Baden-Baden.
Photo credit:
Steigenberger Hotels GmbH (10)
Baden-Baden Kur & Tourismus GmbH, A. Stephany (5): Theater in winter, Casino Baden-Baden, Caracalla Therme, Trinkhalle in Christmas Time, Friedrichsbad
Petra Kirsch (4)
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- Fine dining in an elegant setting with photographic art by Sebastian Wehrle: Café de l’Europe
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- Feel good with fine signature drinks: the ‘Auerhuhn’ bar
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- Winter magic in Baden-Baden: the atmospherically lit theatre was built in the 19th century, modelled on the Paris Opera House – beautiful inside and out, with productions well worth seeing.
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- Just a stone’s throw away from the Steigenberger Icon: the magnificent casino
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- Please take a seat at The Vault & Spa Suites
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- Delicate cake tower with caramel and blackberry
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- Brilliant outlook: the ‘Auerhuhn’ bar
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- The bartenders at the Auerhuhn serve exquisite cocktails with a Black Forest twist, such as the ‘Oos-Mopolitian’.
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- A bathing paradise, but usually very busy at weekends: the Caracalla Thermal Baths
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- The 90-metre-long covered walkway of the Trinkhalle is atmospherically lit during the Christmas season.
2 Comments
What a delightful read! Who knew a hotel renovation could feel like travelling back in time – without actually needing the DeLorean. The Steigenberger Icon certainly brings Baden-Baden into the 21st century with a stylish nod to its storied past, though I do hope Marlene Dietrich is pleased with her pearl necklace tribute in the stairwell. The descriptions of exotic sophistication and timelessly chic mosaics are simply *chefs kiss*. And who doesnt need a fine brasserie cuisine with a local touch, perhaps accompanied by a signature drink near the crackling fireplace? It sounds like the perfect place to unwind, unless, of course, youre afraid of elevators and prefer sleeping in a different room every night to identify shortcomings, à la Albert Steigenberger. Cheers to luxury!
Thank you very much for your wonderful comment! I am very pleased that you enjoyed my article, and perhaps the DeLorean will transport you to the Steigenberger Icon Baden-Baden of the present day 🙂