A Weekend Like Royalty: My Stay at Schloss Hotel Kronberg

There are few better ways to unwind after a busy spell than slipping into a weekend that feels like being a guest of royalty. Last weekend I did just that, treating myself to a stay at the magnificent Schloss hotel Kronberg, in the charming town of Kronberg Im Taunus, just outside Frankfurt. It was more than a getaway—it was a step back into history, among rose gardens, picture-perfect streets, sparkling wine, and the echoes of emperors.

As I arrived, the car winding through vast green grounds, I immediately felt a shift: the frantic rush of post-work life dropped away. Schloss Hotel Kronberg rises above the little town, its façade a blend of turrets, steep roofs, half-timbered sections, expansive lawns, and wide vistas. The surrounding park is generous: rolling lawns, tree-lined paths, and gardens stretching in every direction inviting strolls and moments of quiet. There’s even a golf course, should you feel like teeing off in regal style. Only too bad I do not play golf!

As I was strolling the grounds on arrival I found the rose garden. In full bloom, it was breathtaking—crimson, pink, white petals, winding paths, carefully tended beds. Walking among them, inhaling that mix of fresh green and ancient stone, I felt like I belonged in a painting.

Before fully settling into the hotel’s luxury, I spent a couple of hours wandering through old Kronberg (Kronberg Altstadt). Narrow, winding streets, timber-framed houses with flower boxes, cobblestones, unexpected wrought iron and shutters—all so picture-worthy. Every turn revealed another charming façade or a hidden courtyard. It’s the kind of town that invites slow pace: stopping, looking up at roofs, watching light through windows, soaking in small-town German life with a quiet elegance.

Saturday I indulged in one of the most elegant treats: afternoon tea in the hotel. It wasn’t just your standard tea-and-cake. We were welcomed into lavish rooms, served a selection of fine teas, sparkling wine to begin, delicate pastries, scones, finger sandwiches, and ended with a glass of port wine. Between bites and sips, I felt transported—each detail from the china to the soft lighting helping me imagine living here in a gentler, grander age. The hotel offers a guided historic tour of its rooms, which really brought the setting to life. Here’s where the magic of history unfolded.

Here are Some history & royal connections: Schloss Hotel Kronberg was built between 1889 and 1893 as Schloss Friedrichs Hof for Empress Victoria, also known as Victoria, Princess Royal, eldest daughter of Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom. After the death of her husband, Emperor Frederick III, she commissioned this palace as a widow’s residence.  Victoria lived here from its completion until her death in 1901. After her passing, the palace passed to her youngest daughter, Princess Margaret of Prussia. Through the 20th century, the building saw turbulent times: inflation, its maintenance becoming difficult, periods of inactivity. After WWII, it was occupied by Allied forces; then in 1954 it was transformed into the hotel it is today, restored to its elegance, while preserving many original salons, antiques and interior details. The property belongs to the House of Hesse (Hessische Hausstiftung), managed by current heirs who maintain its legacy. 

Walking through the former salons, library, bedrooms, you can feel the presence of the past: the portraits, the books, the furniture, the layout—all echoing the life of Empress Victoria and her court. The tour helped me appreciate what a statement this palace was: of love (for her husband), of identity (between German and English connections), of art and architecture.

I left Schloss Hotel Kronberg feeling recharged, not just because of the rest and beauty, but because of the immersion in history. The experience reminded me anyone can be a princess if she just wants to be. even if just for a short time. If you ever find yourself near Frankfurt and need a weekend that combines elegance, history, nature, and comfort—this place is more than a hotel. It’s an invitation to live, even briefly, in a royal mood.

Accommodation Tip: There are 58 rooms in this palace hotel, and I do not believe you can go wrong with each of them however depending on your wish to splurge, some rooms also have lovely balconies and larger windows. While I stayed in a standard category with a smaller window in the room, I still felt the luxury in every corner.

Excursion Tip: I have decided to spend just one last weekend before heading home after a work trip therefore did not rent a car and was not able to see beyond where my two legs took me. Having said that, the ability to walk into Kronberg old town within 10-15 minutes’ walk was just perfect. It is not a buzzing lively town if that is what you are looking for, but I found lovely little shops, cafes and restaurants that kept me busy for the afternoon. Having a car will of course allow you to go see some of the more tourist sites such as Frankfurt city which is around 20-30 minutes away.

Gastronomy Tip: I opt for the English Tea ceremony the hotel hosts on Saturdays as of September 20^th (2025). Where Empress Victoria Frederick once celebrated her tea parties, English Afternoon Tea has been brought back to life with fresh charm.A selection of fine tea arrangements is served to soft music, accompanied by oven-fresh scones with clotted cream, sandwiches and pastries from the patisserie. Included a glass of sparkling wine from the Prinz von Hessen winery. The added hotel historical tour is a bonus and while it is in German I enjoyed the walk after a very yummy tea.