Brenner's Park Hotel & Spa

The service made this the best five-star stay I’ve had. We were traveling with our 16-month-old, so we had plenty of requests, and room service and the concierge handled them quickly and accurately. The childcare day program was a hit too, especially the awesome ball pit, and the staff there were very accommodating. My wife enjoyed a mani-pedi, we both had massages, and the spa desk helped us through the process. The front desk concierge also listened well and helped plan our activities. Valet staff were fun to chat with and worked around my parking needs. One small hassle: Google Maps sent us to the wrong street, so that could use fixing. Once we arrived, though, everyone from the valet to the door staff was incredibly helpful. They really do try hard to make the place perfect. Tschüss!

Breakfast was a highlight, with a wide selection of high-quality food. I also loved the bar’s fireplace and pianist, though it could use more staff in the evenings. On my first stay at Brenners Hotel, I found the rooms spacious and beautiful, with a timeless classic feel and stunning park views both morning and night. The service was very good. It’s an ideal place if you’re looking for a “palace” experience in Baden-Baden.

The room was great, and I enjoyed the pool and fitness facilities. Staff throughout the hotel were professional and courteous, and the bar attached to the modern restaurant is lovely enough to visit on its own. The food was a different story: both the restaurant meal and my room service were far too salty to enjoy. Oddly, room service wasn’t on my bill until I pointed out the missing charge at checkout. I came through American Express Fine Hotels and Resorts, mostly to rank the dining on Beli. If you drive, Google Maps takes you to the parking garage. I didn’t realize the hotel had a parking service, and was charged €39 for the garage. Street parking is free. The garage was confusing and under construction, with hotel signs that led nowhere.

The spa experience was a mess. The front desk hadn’t explained the treatment properly, so we had to switch therapists partway through. I was left standing in a bathrobe trying to sort it out. The therapists’ English wasn’t the problem, and I don’t blame them. The spa receptionist was the only English-speaking staff member, and seemed completely indifferent. The rest of the service was just as frustrating. Simple requests took nearly an hour, if anyone answered at all. Nobody picked up the room service phone, and after we booked a restaurant table, we never got a confirmation call. Someone even opened our door and walked in despite the Do Not Disturb sign being clearly displayed. We also asked for a morning newspaper and got nothing. I’m shocked that a hotel calling itself a “grand institution” and so focused on its “heritage” could be this bad. It didn’t feel like they thought about their guests at all, and the service fell short of what I’d expect from a basic four-star hotel. We won’t be back.