North Rhine-Westphalia hotels

Village setting for this half-timbered glorified inn, in pleasant swirly countryside of Sauerland, which has some skiing in winter. Rooms are elegant and well-appointed in ‘English‘ style, spread across four connected buildings, which date back to 1774. Surprisingly large and elegant spa, with indoor and outdoor pools.

18th century rococo manor house in lovely gardens, woodland and lakeland, within easy access of the Ruhr. Rooms are conservative and traditional.

Another beautiful brick-built castle on a moat, close to the Dutch border. Big landowner and focus of several enterprises, with farm and forest. Rooms are in a former coach house.

Smallish design hotel which makes a pitch for business and leisure travellers, in a not very inspiring street. Better on the inside than from the outside.

Classic-style rooms in a manorial house with 16th century origins. All very prettily done, with an eye for detail. Nice gardens, and good value, but there’s not a lot of excitement in the surroundings.

The castellated, handsome former wages hall of a coal mine stands alongside a defunct pit-head. Inside, the hotel is idiosyncratic and small, with just 17 rooms around a galleried hall. Quirky décor, good parking, but a bit out of the way.

Cool and innovative new design based around a former brewery, in a beautiful city that used to be a bishop’s seat.  Chic, minimalist, structuralist, the architects had fun with this property. The hotel has a groovy bar and nightclub, so it’s fair to say it attracts a younger crowd.

Immaculate half-timbered complex of converted stables and manorial buildings creating six different accommodation blocks with 150 ultra-luxurious rooms. Run by the seventh generation of lords and ladies of Oeynhausen, set in glorious gardens, and billed as one of the most beautiful therapeutic spa resorts in Germany. Bad Driburg is known for its healing waters.

Imposing red brick manor house in rural setting in pretty Münsterland dating back 400 years, and still aristocratically-owned.   There are only two guestrooms so you’ll feel like you own the place!