Grand Hotel Bristol

The Grand Hotel Bristol is situated in a beautiful five-story 1912 building with a cream-colored facade and brown trim. The entrance is positioned at the hotel's rounded corner, which is encircled by elegant green balconies. Inside, refined decor pairs original architectural details with contemporary pieces. The entryway features beautiful vaulted ceilings with modern lighting, a wood and mirror reception desk, and sophisticated modern furniture like chairs upholstered in striped faux leather and rich burgundy-hued ottomans. Other areas of the hotel can feel somewhat dated, like the hallways with red patterned wall-to-wall carpeting and stucco ceilings, though elegant stained glass windows are a lovely touch. The bar/lounge is a little sparse, with islands of chairs and cafe tables, but it features a beautiful parquet floor. The hotel's proximity to the train station makes this an ideal choice for a range of travelers, including leisure tourists and business guests.

The hotel sits on a pleasant street directly across from the city's historic main train station. Colmar's iconic cobblestoned Old Town is a 10- to 15-minute walk from the hotel. The popular Little Venice (La Petite Venise) area is just an 11-minute walk, while the gothic St. Martin's Church is a 15-minute walk. Colmar is located in northeastern France's Alsace region, near the German border, and is positioned on the popular Alsatian Wine Route. Access to other towns along the route are easy via trains and buses that depart from right outside the hotel. Parking is available, but it costs an extra fee. Colmar Airport is about a 15-minute drive away.

While rooms vary, they tend to be simple yet sophisticated, with fairly bland traditional decor. An entry-level Classic or Standard Room, for example, might pair red wall-to-wall carpeting with neutral walls, yellow drapes, and white bedding. Traditional wooden furniture, like a desk with turned legs or an upholstered ottoman, add homey style. Entry-level rooms can be quite small, measuring as little as 160 square feet, while Junior Suites measure between 300 and 500 square feet. Rooms may face an interior courtyard or the train station, and guests find that bedrooms are fairly well insulated from exterior noise as long as the windows are closed. 

Rooms are air-conditioned and include work desks, flat-screen TVs, safes, tea- and coffee-making facilities, and lightly stocked minibars. Wi-Fi is free. Upgraded rooms may include extras like sitting areas, balconies, bathtubs, and/or bathrobes and slippers. Bathrooms are small and can be an especially tight squeeze in lower-category rooms. They include toilets, sinks, small curtained showers, hose-style hairdryers, and free individual toiletries.

This hotel has amenities geared toward both leisure and business guests. There's a decent daily breakfast buffet with hot and cold options (though it's not included in the room rate), and a continental breakfast is also available via room service. The hotel's restaurant, Brasserie L'Auberge, serves lunch and dinner. The spot is popular among locals as well as visitors of the hotel, and guests tend to be pleasantly surprised by the quality of food. The hotel also has a lobby bar and lounge, but though this area is pleasant enough, it lacks some ambiance.

The hotel's wellness center, situated on the fifth floor, is small but modern, and includes a sauna, steam room, fitness room, and lounge areas. There's a small terrace with lounge chairs and a nice view of the city. Various massages and facials are available, though they must be booked in advance. The fitness room is small but pleasant, with wooden floors and natural light streaming from several windows. It has a large TV as well as a few modern cardio machines (treadmill, elliptical, stationary bike), some exercise mats, and free weights. 

For business guests, the hotel has several meeting and event rooms, plus a gourmet restaurant that can be reserved in advance and can host 10 to 50 people. There's a small business corner with a desktop Mac and printer available for guest use. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the hotel. The hotel has a 24-hour front desk and staff who can assist with concierge services like arranging for childcare. Parking is available, but costs an extra daily fee. The hotel is pet-friendly, but pets also costs an extra fee.