Esquisse Hotel & Spa is the address in Colmar for travellers who want to be pampered in the middle of the old town. It belongs to the MGallery collection of characterful boutique hotels, it is classed in the five category, and it is among the most highly rated places to stay in the whole of Alsace. The position is superb: the Christmas market squares are about a four-minute walk, Petite Venise with its flower-hung canal is a little further, and the half-timbered streets, the Unterlinden Museum and the covered market are all close enough to reach on foot. The hotel combines a contemporary, art-inspired interior with a serious spa, which includes a hot tub, a sauna, a steam room and treatment rooms for couples, as well as an indoor pool and a bar. Twenty-four hour room service, a baby bath and cots on request and a pet-friendly policy make it more flexible than many luxury hotels. Check the spa schedule, any age limits for the pool and the treatment menu when you book.
Location and getting around
You can leave the car, or the train, behind the moment you arrive. The old town is compact and largely pedestrian, and the hotel sits within it, so the markets, the museums, the wine bars and the restaurants are all a short walk away. The station is a pleasant walk or a short taxi ride, and the wine villages of Eguisheim, Riquewihr and Kaysersberg are easy to reach by car, bus or small-group tour.
If you are driving, ask the hotel about parking before you arrive, because access to the centre is restricted and spaces are limited.
The rooms and what to know
Rooms and suites are designed with a boutique sensibility, so expect distinctive decor, good beds and generous bathrooms rather than a standard chain look. The spa is the highlight, and in cold weather the hot tub and sauna are a pleasure after a day of walking the markets. Book spa treatments in advance, especially at weekends and during the Christmas season, when Colmar is at its busiest and the hotel fills up weeks or months ahead.
Breakfast is typically an extra, and the room service is useful when you want a quiet evening in. Families can stay, as cots are available, but the tone is more romantic than child-focused.
Who it suits
Couples, honeymooners and anyone marking an occasion, as well as Christmas market visitors who want to come back to a warm spa at the end of the day. It also suits wine lovers, since the Alsace Wine Route begins on the doorstep and the concierge can help organise tastings. The price is at the top of the Colmar range, so if you are watching your budget, consider one of the three- and four-category hotels in the same area.
But for comfort, atmosphere and a perfect location, the Esquisse is hard to beat. Check cancellation terms, the dates of the Christmas market season and whether the pool and spa have any age restrictions before you book.
Why stay here
- ✓Full spa with hot tub, sauna and steam room
- ✓Couples treatment rooms
- ✓Indoor pool
- ✓Bar
- ✓24-hour room service
- ✓Cots and baby bath on request
- ✓Pet friendly
- ✓Walk to Petite Venise
Good questions
Where is Esquisse Hotel & Spa?+
It is in the centre of Colmar. The Christmas market squares are about a four-minute walk and Petite Venise is a little further.
Does the hotel have a spa and pool?+
Yes. It has a spa with a hot tub, sauna, steam room and couples treatment rooms, plus an indoor pool. Book treatments ahead.
Is it suitable for families or pets?+
Cots and a baby bath are available and pets are accepted, though the style is more romantic than child-focused. Confirm details when you book.
