Russischer Hof greets with an atmosphere of the past grandeur yet it is splendidly modernized. It offers the discriminating grandeur of the era of former famous guests as Tzar Alexander I of Russia, whose Imperial coat of arms graces the hotel glass doors; also Liszt, Tolstoy, Schumann, Turgenev; yet the hotel has been made to cater to any contemporary convenience.
I loved that feel of every modern comfort in the opulent ambiance and that very special aura of a place with tradition. My room 406 was tastefully decorated and was impeccable, gleaming and sparkling as new. The room was not big, but it was very cozy and comfortable, and having a private terrace with a view of the distant hills was terrific. The bathtub was great, the bed luxurious. The breakfast was the most varied and generous, including various Thüringen specialties, herring in many varieties, sausages, eggs, pastries, fruits, many other seemingly tasty things which were too much to try; on top of that it included German sparkling wine, and it was is worth every penny of $19 euros. Internet is also free of charge.
The location is very convenient, too - at the edge of the old town, 100 meters from ubiquitous Goethe and Schiller monument. Weimar is pleasantly a walking town, not in tradition of big German cities as Berlin where distances are grand. Here you can walk comfortably from one sight to another in a leisurely and most pleasant way of promenading.
I liked this hotel very much; however I was surprised that my linen was not changed as part of daily room make-up; it seems, however, that it is a modern fashion - the same happened in Hotel Concorde in Berlin where I stayed later on the voyage. And being fastidious, I can add that some other 5 star hotels provide help with bags without asking, turn-down service for the night, freshly squeezed juices, and hair conditioner. Yet this is Weimar, not Paris, and for the price I think the hotel is an excellent value.
I highly recommend Russischer Hof, although comparing it with Hotel Elefant I must say that the latter location is better – on the most beautiful old square in town, Markt, with fabulous views over Rathaus, Lucas Cranach haus, and more. In the local Stadtmuseum there is a photo of Hitler smiling from Hotel Elefant, and Johann Sebastian Bach and Hans Christian Andersen lived nearby. Russuscher Hof is further away and cannot boast such an illustrious locality, which can be viewed as plus or minus, depending on a personal taste. I loved to stay in Russischer Hof and have my evening drink in Hotel Elefant open air café on the Markt square. Weimar as a whole is a marvelous place, full of charm, beauty, culture and history. I am very happy to have discovered such a gem city of Germany, and my stay in Russischer Hof made my voyage all the more memorable.
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC