Germany (Lonely Planet, 6th Edition) - Andrea Schulte-Peevers [157]
Return to beginning of chapter
Sleeping
The Leipzig tourist office runs a free accommodation service ( 710 4255), with singles/doubles from around €25/40.
Mitwohnzentrale ( 194 30; Nordstrasse 1; 9am-7pm Mon-Fri, 10am-4pm Sat) arranges flat rental (from €20 per person per night).
BUDGET
Central Globetrotter Hostel ( 149 9860; www.globetrotter-leipzig.de; Kurt-Schumacher-Strasse 41; dm €12.50-16.50, s/d €27/40, linen €2.50, breakfast €3.50; ) This friendly Hauptbahnhof-adjacent hostel has four- to eight-bed dorms, lockers in the corridors and new communal showers. Some of the singles and doubles have their own facilities. The atmospheric old building also hides a kitchen, laundrette (€3 per load) and common room.
Hostel Sleepy Lion ( 993 9480; www.hostel-leipzig.de; Käthe-Kollwitz-Strasse 3; dm €14-18, s/d €30/44, linen €2.50, breakfast €3.50; ) Budget-minded nomads will feel welcome at this low-key hostel, with 60 clean and comfy beds in cheerfully painted rooms with private facilities. Major sights and a great party zone are just steps away.
Pension Schlaf Gut ( 211 0902; www.schlafgut-leipzig.de; Brühl 64-66; s €31-50, d €46-65; ) You decide the level of comfort at this modular sleep station. The base rate buys the room; small extra fees are charged for TV, kitchen use, daily cleaning, parking and breakfast.
Motel One ( 3374 370; www.motel-one.de; Nikolaistrasse 23; r €59; ) If you like your design minimalist, your TVs flat screen, your colour schemes edgy but your budget unsqueezed, you’ll love this pristine new place right opposite the Nikolaikirche. The 194 rooms have nothing you don’t need, the staff are efficiently charming and the location is unsurpassed.
MIDRANGE
Midrange accommodation in the centre is the preserve of the big chains; for something a little more individual you’ll have to look a bit further afield.
Hotel Markgraf ( 303 030; www.markgraf-leipzig.de; Körnerstrasse 36; s/d €79/90; ) This smartly run hotel puts you within staggering distance of the Karl-Liebknecht-Strasse nightlife. Many rooms overlook a pretty little park and there’s a sauna for relaxing.
Galerie Hotel Leipziger Hof ( 697 40; www.leipziger-hof.de; Hedwigstrasse 1-3; s €69-150, d €89-180; ) Leipzig’s most unique place to unpack your bags is this ‘gallery with rooms’, which brims with originals created by local artists since 1989. It’s a first-rate stay, yet relatively affordable, as is the restaurant.
Hotel Michaelis ( 267 80; www.hotel-michaelis.de; Paul-Gruner-Strasse 44; s €79-149, d €99-179; ) Close to the Karl-Liebknecht-Strasse hipster mile and the city centre, this well-run place gets a big thumbs up for its 62 handsome rooms, well-respected restaurant (with a leafy terrace) and original art collection.
Also recommended:
Dorint Novotel ( 995 80; Goethestrasse 11; s/d €64/89, breakfast €14; ) Good value, central and great for families.
Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten ( 985 10; Kurt-Schmacher-Strasse 23-29; s €81-118, d €103-156; ) Spotless, well-maintained and near the Hauptbahnhof.
TOP END
Westin Leipzig ( 9880; Gerberstrasse 15; r €125-400; ) Never mind the bland facade, as this merely conceals Leipzig’s most design-conscious hotel, whose mega-cool lobby leads to 436 luxurious rooms. Don’t miss having a drink at the Falco bar on the 17th floor with the entire city panorama unfolding below.
Hotel Fürstenhof ( 1400; www.luxurycollection.com/fuerstenhof; Tröndlinring 8; r from €200, breakfast €25; ) The dame vieille of the Leipzig hotel scene, with a 200-year pedigree, finds umpteen ways to spoil its guests. It has updated old-world flair, impeccable service, a gourmet restaurant and an oh-so-soothing grotto-style pool and spa.
Return to beginning of chapter
Eating
RESTAURANTS
Sol y Mar ( 961 5721; Gottschedstrasse 4; mains €5-14; 9am-late) The soft lighting, ambient sounds and lush interior (including padded pods for noshing in recline) make this a relaxing place to dine. There’s lots of choice for noncarnivores