Hotel Quatorze

Formerly a 19th-century pharmacy, Hotel Quatorze looks every bit like a luxury boutique property, with chic decor dressing up modern interiors, but much of the building's original character has been plastered over. The oddly shaped lobby is laid out more like a hair salon, with a tiny reception desk and a few chairs along the walls between shelves stocked with candles, perfumes, and Aesop toiletries. Original paintings (Spanish artist Alfonso Vallès) also decorate the walls, and a small piano shares an alcove with an oversize sculpture of a black apple. Outside on a wooden deck, large umbrellas shade tables and chairs with sheepskin throws and porcelain bunny statues. Couples seeking stylish digs and an intimate atmosphere make up the majority of clientele. 

The hotel is on a small pedestrian street in the center of Colmar. It's right next to the courthouse on a somewhat bland street, but everything in the city's Old Town is within walking distance. In less than five minutes on foot, guests can reach the Dominican Church, the medieval Pfister House, and Musee Bartholdy -- a house museum dedicated to Frédéric-Auguste Bartholdi, who was born in Colmar and designed the Statue of Liberty. The "petit train" tourist train circumnavigating the Old Town is also roughly a five-minute walk, as is the main shopping street, Rue des Clefs, where trendy boutiques accompany a variety of restaurants. The Unterlinden Museum is a seven-minute walk from the hotel, and Petite Venise (Little Venice)'s cobbled streets, canals, and balcony-flanked houses are a five-minute walk in the opposite direction. Colmar is also on the Alsatian Wine Route. Basel and Strasbourg International Airports are both within an hours' drive, or up to 90 minutes by public transportation. 

The hotel's guest rooms and suites have monochrome decor, with hardwood floors and original works of art, including some wall murals adding a touch of depth and a break from the black-white-and-gray color scheme. The Standard rooms are on the small side, with double beds and no seating areas, only smoked plastic chairs facing a shelf beneath flat-screen TVs. Double sink vanities with Aesop toiletries are tucked along walls behind headboards, and bathrooms have rainfall showers. Free Wi-Fi is included, and all rooms come with with iPod docks, minibars, kettles for free tea and coffee, safes, and hairdryers. Upgraded rooms add larger open bathrooms with separate soaking tubs, and some have private balconies. Suites have exposed beams and living rooms with sofa beds, along with Nespresso machines and bathrooms with whirlpool tubs.

The hotel's wellness facilities consisit of a relaxation room with light therapy, along with a treatment room, sauna and a hammam, but on our visit we found grungy tiles and areas that could use extra housekeeping or some minor renovation. Those looking for a workout don't have many options, as there's only one piece of cardio equipment in the space. The breakfast room has a little bar where guests can order wine or Champagne from Alsace, and there are plenty of tables for the morning continental breakfast spread (not included) of breads, local pastries, fruit, aged cheese, and organic eggs. However, there's no full restaurant on-site. There's also an outdoor patio with tables and chairs, along with a corner of wicker furniture under large shade canopies. Wi-Fi is free throughout.