INNSIDE by Meliá Dresden

INNSIDE by Meliá Dresden is housed in a contemporary, six-story beige building situated along the cobblestone streets of Dresden’s Old Town. Fresh on the scene in 2010, the modern property is an outpost of the Spanish INNSIDE by Meliá brand that manages to mostly thwart a static, chain hotel feel, although it its place the red-and-white decor can lean a little too heavily toward an '80s aesthetic. In the lobby, floor-to-ceiling windows are paired with hardwood floors, red accent rugs, and white pleather couches and armchairs gathered into small sitting areas. The walls serve as a mini-art gallery, showcasing a changing exhibit of original art. The sophisticated atmosphere is a draw for both business travelers and tourists, who hangout in the sixth-story Twist Design Cocktails & Lounge, which offers an up-close view of Frauenkirsche dome from panoramic windows.

This INNSIDE outpost has a stellar location, situated on a small side street just off a cluster of Old World buildings near Neumarkt Square in Dresden’s Old Town. That said, the empty lot behind the hotel isn’t particularly picturesque, but other than that the neighborhood is all charm. The 18th-century Frauenkirche church is just a one-minute walk away, and views of it from the hotel’s sixth floor cocktail bar are exceptional. Cafes, shops, bars, and restaurants line the surrounding streets, and guests can find a host of historic and cultural attractions within a five- to 10-minute walk. These include the Dresden Cathedral, the Semperoper Dresden opera house, Dresden Castle, the Rococo-style Zwinger Museum, the Gemäldegalerie Alte Meister Museum, The Grunes Gewolbe, featuring Baroque art and jewelry, and the vaulted Augustus Bridge, which runs across the river Elbe. 

Banhof Mitte station is reachable in 15 minutes via public transit, while Dresden International Airport is 40 minutes by public transit or 20 minutes by car, depending on traffic. Airport shuttle service can be arranged through the hotel, as can car rentals. The hotel has limited on-site parking, though it costs an extra nightly fee.

Individually decorated guest rooms are spacious and modern, with gray shag carpets or wood floors, white walls, sleek white lacquered furnishings, and wallpapered accent walls behind the beds. Cherry-red desk or lounge chairs add a dash of color, while floor-to-ceiling windows let in lots of natural light. But as with the common spaces, these gleaming white surfaces paired with bold red textiles can feel like more of a throwback to '80s style than something au courant. Black-and-white photos of landmarks add a little nod to the area's history. Bathrooms feature unique sliding doors that double as wardrobe doors, modern gray tiling, basin sinks, and walk-in rainfall showers. Guests that upgrade to a Deluxe Room get a separate shower and tub. 

Entry-level accommodations start at a roomy 270 square feet and feature twin or king-size beds, individual temperature controls, flat-screen TVs with international channels, safes, coffee/tea facilities with electric kettles, and minibars stocked with free soft drinks, with free beer in some upgraded rooms. Guests find the device/data limitations on free Wi-Fi frustrating, though you can avoid the issue by signing up for the company’s free loyalty program. Bathrooms are also equipped with free individual toiletries, hairdryers, and magnifying mirrors. 

Upgraded accommodations include everything from two-story studios to a huge Lifestyle Suite for up to six guests, with a French balcony, dining/meeting room, and other extras. Some interconnecting rooms are offered. City views can be stunning, but other rooms face an empty lot or the courtyard, which provides restaurant seating so it can be noisy if room windows are opened.

Next to its location, this property's biggest pro could be its on-site features, including a nice set of dining and wellness facilities befitting its pearl status. The Twist Design Cocktails & Lounge is a guest favorite: Situated on the sixth floor the building, the chic spot offers an incredible view over the Frauenkirsche dome from the large windows that run along the length of the bar. It’s opened evenings until late, but drinks are pricey. Alternatively, guests can grab a drink at the lobby bar, a spacious and modern bar that’s part of Ven Restaurant, which offers a la carte options for lunch and dinner and the option to dine outdoors on the courtyard terrace in good weather. The hotel also offers a classic German breakfast buffet, though this is not always included in the room rate. Room service is offered into the evening. 

Wellness facilities include a small but modern gym with cardio and weight-lifting equipment and a nice spa that, despite being little, still fits in a relaxation room, two saunas, and a steam room. Guests can also book private treatments for an extra fee, including massages, waxing, manicures/pedicures, and other treatments. But swimmers should note that there’s no pool. 

For business guests, the hotel has four meeting rooms that can host up to 230 guests, and two computers in the lobby for guest use. The concierge can arrange extra-fee services like currency exchange, car rentals, airport shuttle service, secretarial service, and laundry service. Parking is offered and pets are allowed, albeit for an extra daily fee. The free Wi-Fi service is limited to a certain amount of data and devices, though signing up for the company’s free loyalty will bag guests free Wi-Fi.