The best hotels in Germany’s Franconia wine region to put on your bucket list, according to a wine travel enthusiast
Germany might be ‘only’ the ninth largest winemaking country globally, but it is undeniably one of the most historic and important ones. After all, it’s the cradle of Riesling and late harvest wines.

The other reason you should put Germany’s wine country on your travel bucket list is the sheer number of incredibly charming small hotels and excellent restaurants celebrating each region’s typical local food.

Surprised? Germany might not play in the league of Napa Valley, and some other wine regions well-known to be leading wine tourist destinations. But the country in recent years has put its offer of amazing historic hotels and inns with links to the nearby vineyards and the accompanying culinary offer on a whole new level.

If you are looking to explore a new wine region, a trip to Franken or Franconia how it’s called in English, is one you will not regret.

A quick introduction to Franken Wine Region

One of the internationally lesser-known German wine region, Franken is located in the northwestern region of Bavaria. Out of the thirteen official wine regions, Franken with a vineyard area of around 6,100 hectares, it is Germany’s sixth largest wine region.

The region is divided into three main winegrowing areas, spreading out from Würzburg along the Main River and its tributaries. The three distinct areas are known as Main Triangle (located towards the middle of the region), Main Square (Franken’s westernmost wine area) and Steigerwald (located towards the east, slightly separated from the other two). While distinctive in soil and type of its wines the first two are more bound together when it comes to road tripping and the local hospitality and culinary offering. The two are also closest to Würzburg, the recognized capital of Franken wine region.

The Franken vineyard area might be less spectacular compared to the steep slopes of the Mosel, or the breathtakingly beautiful Middle Rhein region (which indeed is a UNESCO World Heritage Site). Though if you love to hike or bike, there are endless kilometres of scenic routes criss-crossing the area. And if you are looking for the most beautiful vineyard views, check out the ‘terroir f’ routes, leading you to some of the most stunning viewpoints in the Franconia wine region.

The Franken/Franconia region is predominantly known for white wines, particularly Müller-Thurgau and Silvaner. The letter is still widely sold in the traditional Bocksbeutel bottles, a type of wine bottle with the form of a flattened ellipsoid. That said, the area also produces some excellent red wines.

Why you should visit Franken Wine Region

If you ask me, in addition to the excellent but often overlooked Franken wines, the reasons you should have this lesser-known wine region on your radar are the many charming small historic wine towns home some of the best small hotels and restaurants to eat and to sleep in German wine country.

To learn more about the area and its unbelievably beautiful historic wine towns, read my blog Get to know the little wine towns in Franken wine region: The Würzburg Area.

The best hotels to stay and eat in Franken Wine Region

Blessed with many great places to stay and eat, it can be daunting to decide where to start.

Having visited the area many times over the years, since I am living just over an hour away, I had the opportunity to stay and eat at a large range of different places over the years. If they are the best, this is always subjective. You might not agree with all of them, but for my part, I would return to each one of them immediately.

Below, I have rounded out my favourite places in the Franken wine region, including Würzburg and the Main Triangle and Main Square areas. These cover small upscale hotels and inns, typically offering a limited number of rooms in unique locations, friendly service, and many have direct ties to the region’s vineyards.

Steinburg Castle Hotel, Würzburg

Why go here? The small but absolutely amazing city of Würzburg, Franken’s wine capital and home to some of the most acclaimed historic wineries in Germany, and a number of stunning historic landmarks including an UNESCO World Heritage site, is the perfect destination to start your visit to Franken wine region. There are plenty of hotels in the city, but if you ask me, no one rivals the stunning Steinburg Castle Hotel.

Nestled amid one of the most renowned vineyards in Germany, Würzburger Stein, the Steinburg Castle Hotel offers stunning views over Würzburg and the Main River. That is in addition to the fairytale feeling of the place itself, calling the inner prince and princess. The property consists of the historic manor house built at the end of the 19th century boasting rooms transporting you right back into a distant past, along with a recent annex offering spacious modern luxury rooms.

The gourmet restaurant offers daily changing set menus, and when the weather is warm enough, will move to the large terrace with amazing views over the surrounding area. There is also a castle bar, large spa and pool area, and a historic wine cellar.

Good to know: The hotel is located around 15 minutes drivetime from the historic centre of Würzburg, though access is a little trickier than it sounds. Access is via a narrow country road with only few options to let oncoming traffic pass, and there is no public transport connecting the hotel with the city. Thus you need either a car, or take a taxi every time you want to explore the city centre.

Hotel Meintzinger, Frickenhausen

Why go here? Both a hotel and winery, there is a well-equipped wine cellar and a more than knowledgeable staff will happily guide you through the offer. As for the property, outside, Hotel Meintzinger boasts a stunning historic stone fa?ade. Inside, it’s all modern, colourful and cozy. The 29 rooms and suites are individually designed, blending modern features with traditional furniture.

A small spa area with a steam bath, infrared seat, foot bath, and sauna invites you to relax and wind down from a day exploring the nearby vineyards and wineries.

Good to know: There is no restaurant on-site, but the hotel serves a range of snacks in in the evening, and there is a wine fridge accessible for guests throughout the day (and night), stuffed with wines from the Meintzinger winery Otherwise, a couple of restaurants are just a few minutes walking distance away. In the morning, a breakfast buffet offers a wide range of bread, sweets, cured meats and cheese along with a selection of cereals.

Hotel Oechsle & Brix, Sommerhausen

Why go here? Weinhotel Oechsle & Brix is the quintessential historic wine inn, with roots going back to the 16th century. Small, intimate and cosy, with only 12 rooms individually styled to perfectly fit the historic building tucked away in one of the narrow streets of historic Sommerhausen, yet offering all modern amenities that will make your stay comfortable following a through renovation in 2018. The historic wine towns and leading wineries of the region are all just a stone’s throw away, starting with the small cobble-stoned streets of Sommerausen itself, lined with several wineries and tasting rooms are waiting to be explored.

Good to know: The hotel has no restaurant, but the small wine bistro offers a range of snacks including freshly made Flammkuchen, along with excellent cocktails and local wines. In the morning, a lovely breakfast is served. If you grave more than a snack, a couple of restaurants are just few minutes walking distance.

Restaurant Philipp, Sommerhausen

Why go here? Nope, I am not making a mistake here. The small Michelin-star Restaurant Philipp, at home in a stunning 400-year-old half-timbered historic house along the main street of historic Sommerhausen has rooms too. Or better one double room and two spacious suites boasting unique antique furniture and lovely design elements. This is the most perfect place for those that will choose their destination based on the food and will be thrilled it’s only a walk upstairs for the night, once finished a fantastic gourmet menu.

Good to know: Managed by husband-and-wife team Michael and Heike Philipp, the restaurant only opens Friday to Sunday while rooms are available all week. In the morning, a breakfast is served.

Hotel Zehntkeller, Iphofen

Why go here? Tucked away in the historic village of Iphofen, the historic building with the bright yellow highlights on the fa?ade is an immediate eyecatcher, and the arched entrance gate adorned with a court of arms definitely conjures pictures of regal coaches passing through. Family-led in the third generation, today Hotel Zehntkeller is one of Franken’s popular foodie destinations well-known far beyond the Franken region.

Iphofen’s leading wineries, wine shops and tasting rooms are in close walking distance, and when you return to the hotel after exploring, the restaurant offers an excellent local menu along with a wine list featuring wines from across the Franken area along with a good international choice.

Good to know: Though impeccable and stuffed with all essential amenities, rooms could benefit from a modern uplift.

Romantik Hotel Zur Schwane, Volkach

Why go here? It’s perfect for wine enthusiasts and culinary geeks alike. Hotel Zur Schwane has welcomed guests for well over 600 years, always combining hospitality with winemaking at the family-owned Schwane winery. Rooms are individually styled, offering all the modern amenities that make a stay enjoyable yet beautifully reflecting the historic flair of the building. The stunning courtyard almost offers a Mediterranean feeling. When the temperatures are warm enough, it will become the hotel’s bistro restaurant serving lunch and dinner. Meanwhile, it is upstairs in the stylish Weinstock gourmet restaurant where all culinary geeks want to be in the evening.

Step outside the hotel, and the traffic restricted main road of Volkach’s historic core lurs you to explore the many cafes, bars, tasting rooms, and small shops.

Good to know: Michelin-starred Weinstock is certainly worth a visit but make sure to enquire about the hotel’s special wine-related special offers. After all, this is a true winery hotel.