Tried & Tested: Brenners Park-Hotel & Spa, Baden-Baden
It's the crown jewel of Oetker Hotels and the very first property the family ever brought into its fold: Brenners Park-Hotel & Spa, a listed Belle Époque landmark in Baden-Baden, Germany, dating back to 1872. But even a grand old dame needs a little pampering now and then. Following an extensive two-year renovation, the hotel reopened its doors in mid-October – just in time for LuxuryWise to check in on day one. Was it love at first sight? Here’s what we discovered after the relaunch. As Experienced by LuxuryWise Editor-in-Chief Iris M. Köpke
The Hotel
A visual statement, even among grand hotels: the first thing you see when arriving at Brenners Park-Hotel & Spa is still the monumental burgundy-red canopy above the main entrance. From the outside, the protected façade remains largely unchanged – except for the window frames. Once cream-colored, they now shine in mint green, a hue revealed during the renovation to be their original historic color. A lucky find, considering mint is also famously the signature shade of the Oetker Group. Inside the main building, 104 completely refurbished rooms and suites await guests, though only four floors are currently open for booking – the fifth is still under construction. From the hotel, it's just a short stroll into Baden-Baden’s center and to the famous casino. But truth be told, you may not want to leave Brenners again: the stay begins on a promising note, with warm staff and an actual metal room key – stylish, though admittedly not very clutch-friendly. Fortunately, the team at reception is so kind and patient that you won’t mind a quick stop by the desk whenever you need to pick up your key again.
The Rooms & Suites
105 keys, 19 categories, and an astonishing 27 different color concepts – yes, really. Before your head starts spinning, let’s flip the perspective for a moment: what sounds complex from a sales standpoint actually means there’s something to suit every guest’s taste.
I’m a good example myself: I completely fell for my Prestige Junior Suite (pictured): flooded with natural light, generously sized (about 70 square meters / 750 square feet), classic in style yet playfully charming. The mint-green wallpaper with its tiny, nostalgic hot-air balloon motifs? I was instantly smitten. And the cozy alcove where the king bed sits makes for a wonderfully snug sleeping nook.
Another detail I loved: many cabinets and tables weren’t newly purchased but carefully restored, earning Brenners a well-deserved nod from the sustainability-minded crowd.
The bathroom check? More than satisfying. Everything looks new and immaculate, wrapped in bright marble that catches the light beautifully. The shower and bathtub are separate, and right beside them waits a generously sized walk-in closet – the kind of practical luxury you instantly appreciate. The shower fixtures are wonderfully intuitive (a small delight in a world where hotel showers can feel like escape rooms). And then there’s the separate Japanese-style toilet, which surprised me a little. The inside of the door is mirrored, so… well, you can imagine the rest. Step outside, and a spacious balcony opens onto sweeping views of the famous Lichtentaler Allee and the hotel’s private park – the trees glowing golden in the fall sunlight during my stay. It’s the kind of view that invites you to pause, linger, maybe even lose track of time. I’ll admit: I was very tempted to ask if I could extend my stay… A small note for your client consultations: while roughly 90 percent of all rooms across the property come with one or more balconies, the fifth floor is essentially a converted attic level, and the suites located there do not have private balconies.
The F&B Options
The day at Brenners starts on a high note: breakfast is served at Fritz & Felix restaurant, a mix of hot à-la-carte dishes and a generous buffet that leaves nothing to be desired. Service is quick, warm, and genuinely competent – a combination that feels almost rare these days. But guests should absolutely plan for at least one dinner here as well: what Chef Farid Fazel and his team send out of the kitchen is as beautiful as it is delicious – in the case of dessert, quite literally both. The menu begins with a tartare of Breton sand carrot, followed by grilled king oyster mushrooms and, as the main course, dry-aged black-feather heritage chicken. Everything is excellent, but the dessert is the true showstopper: the "Bollenhut" (pictured) – a creation inspired by the traditional Black Forest hat, shaped and colored accordingly, made of intense cherry and chocolate crunch. So good! Additional F&B outlets include the cozy Oleander Bar, which also serves afternoon tea, the Wintergarten restaurant with its regional and French-influenced dishes, and Le Salon at Villa Stéphanie, where guests undergoing medical treatments are catered for. In summer, guests can also unwind to lounge music and cocktails on the Minerva Terrace.
The Property Layout
Getting around the property can feel a bit like navigating a maze – the kind that naturally emerges when a place grows organically over nearly 150 years. Losing your sense of direction is easy: in total, eleven buildings are scattered across the grounds, ranging from the main house to long-term rental apartments. For travel professionals, the most relevant – aside from the main building – are the Parkvilla and Villa Stéphanie. The Parkvilla is connected to the main house but can be completely closed off upon request. It features three two-bedroom suites, staff rooms on every floor, six bathrooms, and partially bulletproof windows. While it wasn’t fully refurbished, it did receive a thoughtful refresh. A 24-hour butler service is available on request. Nice to know: limousine transfers to and from Frankfurt am Main are included in the rate. Villa Stéphanie, last fully renovated in 2015, is perfect for wellbeing-focused guests. Close to the spa and home to Le Salon, the restaurant reserved exclusively for guests undergoing medical treatments, the villa houses 15 rooms designed in a clean, contemporary style. Each of the three floors includes a Spa Suite with a private wellness area featuring a sauna, steam bath, and fitness equipment. A detail worth highlighting: every room in Villa Stéphanie is equipped with a digital detox switch at the bedside. With one tap, the entire room can be disconnected from electricity and the internet – bye-bye, electromagnetic stress!
The Spa
Health & Wellbeing is the mega-trend of our time – and in this respect, Brenners is exceptionally well positioned. It starts with the expansive, light-filled pool area (pictured), where enormous French doors open onto the park in summer. Guests also find a generous sauna landscape featuring a Finnish sauna, bio sauna, steam bath, aroma bath, an outdoor cold-plunge pool, plunge basin, and relaxation room, along with a gym and sunbathing lawn. But things get truly serious at Brenners Medical Care & Physio in Haus Julius (yes, yet another building). This is the domain of Dr. Harry F. König and his team – all internationally recognized specialists in their respective fields. And apparently quite ahead of the curve: during a brief introductory conversation with Dr. König, even a seasoned luxury traveler’s ear picks up treatment possibilities I had genuinely never heard of before – approaches, he says, practiced at only a handful of clinics worldwide. It's all about integrating conventional medicine, naturopathy, and state-of-the-art diagnostics. It sounds fascinating, highly competent, and remarkably precise – without the air of arrogance that certain private physicians in my hometown Hamburg tend to project. I found myself wondering whether I should book my next full check-up here. A quick glance at the brochure answers that question clearly: your credit card will need a pretty healthy limit for this.
Sensory Impressions
How a Stay here feels
Nostalgic
Perfectly balanced: Brenners Park-Hotel delivers true grand-hotel charm without ever feeling stiff, formal, or the slightest bit old-fashioned.
Cared For
Service at a high level is standard in our industry, but here it goes way further – you genuinely feel looked after in every possible way.
Perfectly located
The It-crowd restaurant Rizzi is just a few steps away, and the picturesque city center with its casino and thermal baths is only a short stroll from the hotel.
Healthy
It sounds quite surprising, but a taste of Brenners’ medical-care philosophy will have you suddenly looking forward to your next check-up.
The Experiences
Even the loveliest grand hotel can't hold you forever – Baden-Baden is simply too charming to ignore. Fortunately, Brenners has plenty of tricks up its sleeve to help guests explore the town. On request, the team arranges Segway or bike tours with local guides. The elegant casino, with its striking wall and ceiling frescoes, is just a short stroll away – and for cherished guests (fam-trip crews included), the hotel keeps VIP passes ready for complimentary access. Guests can also be taken to the Nägelsförst winery (pictured) for a wine tasting paired with a tarte flambée dinner, complete with lovely views of Baden-Baden and the surrounding vineyards. The "supervised drinking" experience (yes, it really says that on a sign) is not only fun and endearingly relaxed, but also dangerously persuasive: I wasn't the only one from our group who ended up investing in a few bottles of the delicious Sauvignon Blanc "Flugkünstler". Supporting the local economy, you know how it is. Luckily, the adorable winery team ships everything home – and even waived the postage for me. Otherwise, this carry-on-only traveler would have been in real trouble!
On race days, Brenners goes all-in. At the Baden-Baden racecourse, the hotel operates the Brenners Lounge – a true game changer for anyone who wants to experience a race in style and comfort. Guests sit in the polished setting of an upscale restaurant, enjoy a refined four-course meal, and technically never have to leave their seat to watch the action: the finish line is directly in front of the lounge’s floor-to-ceiling windows. Of course, no one actually stays seated when the excitement peaks. Everyone wants to step outside onto the private, covered grandstand and cheer on the horses from just a few feet away: “Ruuuuun, Golden Rocket!!!” Just kidding – my horse was actually named Olaf. And he promptly burned through my ten-euro bet by trotting in at seventh place. Speaking of betting: the lounge has its own totalisator (bookmaker – I didn’t know the term either), so you don't even have to venture out into the chilly fall weather to place a wager. Good to know: the lounge is truly part of Brenners Park-Hotel, and that makes all the difference – Brenners staff, Brenners tableware, Brenners catering. In other words: full quality control. And you feel it. Depending on the race, various hospitality packages are available, all of which can also be booked by non-hotel guests. The one described here – the Oleander Package – is priced at €345. Back at the hotel, Brenners proves it has mastered the element of surprise that modern luxury travel thrives on: waiting in my room was a small berry tart topped with a cute chocolate horse. Awwww!
The Service
After such a long closure, you'd expect a little rust in the system. But try as I might, I couldn't find a single service flaw anywhere. Everything at reception runs smoothly. The housekeepers – wearing the most charming little aprons – bravely rescue me from an unexpected beetle and remain unfailingly patient every time I suddenly appear and shoo them out with yet another, "So sorry, I just need to change quickly!" In the restaurants, things are nearly flawless as well – aside from the moment when I’m promised green asparagus, only to discover a lone shrimp hiding under the crisp topping. But the moment that truly earns my imaginary hat tip comes on departure day, which – due to my personal schedule – starts painfully early. I head down ten minutes ahead of time to check out, knowing I still need to pick up my rental car. To my surprise, it's already waiting at the front door. Wait, what? I hadn't asked anyone… or had I? No – but the sales team knew I needed to leave at 8 a.m., and someone took it upon themselves to arrange the car without me ever requesting it. This is what happens when staff genuinely think ahead and internal communication actually works. Hoteliers, take note: this is how it's done. In general, I truly have to give credit where it's due: the Brenners sales team is exceptional. Yes, people in sales are usually friendly – it comes with the territory. But encountering a group this warm, dedicated, and competent is rare, even in our industry.
What We Loved
✔ the blissful absence of that nightly battle where you have to yank the duvet out from its military-tight tuck. But… can Brenners really call itself a hotel without it?! ✔ the daily good-night tea – what a sweet idea! ✔ all the thoughtful little gifts – especially the notebook wrapped in unused vintage wallpaper discovered during the renovation, complete with the handwritten room number where that pattern once hung ✔ possibly the best cherry sorbet on the planet ✔ the complimentary minibar – anything else is just old-school ✔ the GHD hairdryer with some serious power behind it ✔ the outstanding staff
Not So Much
✖ the barely cooled minibar – room-temperature Coke just doesn't taste like the real thing ✖ the bulky keys – yes, they’re special. Yes, they scream grand-hotel charm. But key cards are just more practical. ✖ the in-room dining prices – the last time I saw a €48 club sandwich was in famously overrated Cannes ✖ the scent of some of the amenities – somewhere between cough syrup and mothballs
In a Nutshell
No matter where your clients are based – they should definitely consider experiencing the completely reimagined Brenners Park-Hotel & Spa. The renovation is a complete success – modern touches and history blend together seamlessly. First-time guests will find plenty to discover, and loyal regulars won’t feel alienated either; the hotel has clearly protected its DNA with great care throughout the redesign. And the staff seems to have stayed true as well: many team members have been here for years which is always a promising sign. Both the culinary offerings and the medical-care options remain strong reasons to book a stay. And Baden-Baden is always a good idea – especially during the holiday season. As for us: we'd happily sign up again if another fam trip comes along.
Trade Contacts:
Merle Lia Wesener, Director of Sales & Events (New York) Samer Sadeh, Head of Sales (Middle East & LATAM) Anna Bomke, Senior Sales Manager (UK & U.S.)