La Maison des Têtes is one of the best-known buildings in Colmar, and staying in it means sleeping inside a landmark. The house, from the early seventeenth century, is covered in carved heads and masks, with a figure of a barrel-maker on the roof, and it is part of the old-town architecture route that most visitors photograph. Today it is a boutique hotel on Rue des Têtes with individually styled rooms, from comfort rooms to rooms described as charming or characterful, and a family room with a double bed and a sofa bed. There are two restaurants, a terrace, a lift, a concierge, room service, laundry, a bicycle parking area, luggage storage and free Wi-Fi, and pets are accepted for a fee. The location could hardly be more central: the Unterlinden Museum and the Christmas market squares are about a minute away, and Petite Venise is a short walk. For a traveller who values atmosphere and an unbeatable address over modern uniformity, it is a memorable base.
Location and getting around
You are in the middle of the old town, so most sights are on foot within minutes. Petite Venise is about seven minutes away, and the railway station roughly twelve to thirteen minutes. The streets around the house are pedestrian or lightly trafficked, and the cobbles are rough for wheeled luggage, so pack light or ask how to arrange arrival.
Parking is not clearly described, so ask the hotel before you travel by car, and check the nearest public car parks. Evenings are lively around the Christmas markets, so request a quieter room if you are a light sleeper.
Rooms and who it suits
This is a hotel of character rather than uniform standards, so room size, layout and style differ across categories, and historic buildings come with beams, slopes and stairs even where a lift is provided. It suits couples marking an occasion, travellers who want to be in the thick of the old town, and anyone who enjoys dining on site, since the restaurants give you the option of a meal without leaving the building.
Families are accommodated in a family room, but check the layout if you need separate sleeping areas. Breakfast is an extra, so confirm what your rate includes when you book.
Good to know
The best rooms and the Christmas season sell out well ahead, so reserve early. Ask the hotel about restaurant opening days, dress expectations and whether tables can be held for hotel guests. The building is historic, so accessibility varies, and it is worth asking about specific rooms if mobility is a concern.
This is a splurge by Colmar standards, but for many guests the setting, the history and the easy walk to the Unterlinden Museum, the Pfister House and the churches justify it. If you only want a bed, a simpler hotel will cost less, but few offer the same sense of place.
Why stay here
- ✓Historic landmark building
- ✓Two restaurants
- ✓Terrace
- ✓Lift
- ✓Concierge and room service
- ✓Free Wi-Fi
- ✓Bicycle parking and luggage storage
- ✓Pets accepted
Good questions
Why is it called the Maison des Têtes?+
The house is named for the many carved heads and masks on its façade. It is one of Colmar's best-known landmarks.
How close is it to the main sights?+
The Unterlinden Museum and the Christmas market squares are about a minute away, and Petite Venise is around seven minutes on foot.
Is there parking?+
Parking is not clearly described, so ask the hotel before you travel by car and check nearby public car parks.
