Roomers Baden-Baden Review: A Swanky, Sexy Autograph Collection Choice

Roomers Baden-Baden Review

You ever enter a hotel and think: what was I thinking? That was my reaction to the Roomers Baden-Baden, Autograph Collection. It looked like an excellent choice when I booked it, but man did I feel out of my element. But the issue is me. The Roomers definitely fits in the Black Forest resort town.

That being said, my stay was excellent. I was upgraded to a massive suite. And the hotel is top-notch overall. But there are a few features that would make me think twice before choosing it again. You’ll have to read on.

Overview & Pricing

The Roomers Baden-Baden is in its namesake town, in Germany’s Black Forest region. The modern hotel is part of Marriott’s Autograph Collection, which is not a chain I’d stayed with before. Like some other “collection” brands, the individual hotel type and style can vary considerably within the portfolio.

Roomers Baden-Baden has a modern, eclectic style that flies in the face of the more traditional buildings in Baden-Baden. But it seems to work. Inside the modern edifice you find unique interior spaces, but with Black Forest touches. The luxury hotel offers 5-star amenities.

Prices vary a bit seasonally. I found rates starting as low as $240 per night and as high as $360 per night, depending on the month. Rates during summer are generally higher.

For the night I booked, the rate was $352 after the conversion to U.S. dollars. Since the points price was a hair under 35,000 per night, I used the free night certificate from my Bonvoy Business American Express Card.

I used a suite night award for my 1-night reservation. To my surprise, the hotel processed my upgrade days ahead of arrival. The Deluxe Suite I was booked into usually goes for at least $700 per night.

Location

The hotel is located along the main road into Baden-Baden, about a 10-minute walk from the lovely city center. You can transfer by car from the train station a few miles away, or take the bus like I did. Line 243 is what you want. Make sure you take the one toward Leopoldsplatz, the Baden-Baden town square. If you take Line 243 the wrong direction, you’ll end up in Kuppenheim, an entirely different town. The Roomers Baden-Baden is a 1-minute walk from the Festspielhaus stop.

Lobby & Check-In Experience

The luxury treatment begins as soon as you enter the Roomers Baden-Baden. While the welcome wasn’t as warm as I’ve become used to at luxury hotels, the staff did offer a choice of sparkling wine, beer, or sparkling water. You’re invited to sit at check-in, although it doesn’t take especially long. It was a hair awkward. I’m usually eager to get to my room. 

The lady at the front desk did explain the restaurant hours, gave me the basics on the hotel amenities, and walked me to the elevator.

The lobby itself is cool. It’s sort of split into s few different spaces. The hall to the restaurant is lined with cuckoo clocks, a Black Forest touch. They are prolific in the region, and in a particular style. Partitioned beyond a massive set of shelves is a more secluded lobby seating area. Well, in a sense. At least from the rest of the lobby. The windows face the entrance drive. Beyond the main lobby area is a pool table, and joining all three is the elevator landing.

You know you’re at a luxury hotel when the hallways and room doors look like this.

Roomers Baden-Baden Deluxe Suite

I was given Room 121, a Roomers Baden-Baden Deluxe Suite. And man is it deluxe. The suite is massive. You enter into a hallway which opens into the living area. The mirror on the back of the room door was the first of many in the room. It got overwhelming. There’s a half bath tucked into the side of the entryway as well, opposite the closet. 

But we’re just getting started. Entering into the main suite, I was impressed by how spacious it is. There’s a large living area with a couch, chairs, and TV. Beyond that is a large, round dining table. Between them is the minibar, tea, and fancy coffee maker.

I love in-room coffee at luxury hotels. Maybe I’m in the minority here. I usually wake up early my first 3-5 nights in Europe, due to the stupid jet lag. There’s nothing like 3:30 AM coffee to get one going for the day. The Roomers Baden-Baden came through. They suite also has an extensive minibar. Things are expensive, though.

The hotel staff left a layered chocolate dessert as a welcome gift. It was delicious. The hotel symbol is a cool touch. 

Entering the bedrooms, you’re greeted by mirrors. Everywhere. Even on the TV. And the bathtub is front-and-center across from the bed. You get the atmosphere they’re trying to cultivate. It’s the perfect luxury room for a night in with your spouse.

Let’s move on to the bathroom. The Roomers Baden-Baden Deluxe Suite shower may be the most fantastic I’ve used since a stay several years ago at the Park Hyatt Milan. The overhead rain shower head provide a veritable deluge. The three dials control the flow for the three parts of the shower: outer light, inner medium, and a single stream in the center. The temperature is the last dial. I don’t want to know how many gallons I used during my morning shower. But it was looong. And amazing.

The rest of the bathroom is nice, too. It has a huge sink, and a separate toilet room with a bidet. The modern style is lovely, and everything was sparkling clean.

Some of the decor touches are interesting. The typewriter? Cool in my book. As is the art on the wall of the bedroom. But the Playboy book on the table? Not so much. 

The hotel really steps up the modern touches. There’s a “Suite pad” that you can use to order food, look up hotel info, and other functions.

The view? That was by far the worst aspect. Hello, Shell.

The Roomers Baden-Baden suite was unique, to say the least. It was one of the nicest suites I’ve ever stayed in, and way more space than I needed. I was mainly curious to a) see if my Suite Night Award (SNA) would actually go through, and b) see what a top-notch room was like at the luxury property. I’m not sure what standard rooms look like, but certainly see if you can apply a SNA here.

I have only one real gripe. Well, besides the Playboy book. I had to push/pull the door firmly to ensure it stayed latched. I realized the first time upon returning to the room that I’d effectively left it unlocked. Not ideal, to say the least. Room security is a big deal.

Hotel Amenities

Baden-Baden is famous for its thermal baths. There are two notable ones in town: the Caracalla Spa and Friedrichsbad Spa. If neither of these sound appealing, or you find you’re still in need of spa time even after visiting, the Roomers Baden-Baden offers an extensive spa. Among the amenities are a hammam, steam bath, sauna, and whirlpool. The facilities are open from 6:30 AM to 1:00 AM. You can book treatments between the hours of 10:00 AM and 7:00 PM.

While I passed on the spa (aside from walking through), I did head up one floor to the rooftop pool. It was a chilly February day, but the pool is well heated. You’re treated to views of the Baden-Baden castle up on the hill overlooking the town.

I used the gym as well during my stay at the Roomers Baden-Baden. It’s a nice space, with views of the nearby Black Forest hills. With treadmills, bikes, free weights, and a couple machines, it should meet most needs. Outside the gym is a selection of snack foods. Don’t pass up the ginger shot — it’s potent.

Interested in a car tour? The Roomers offers them. Sports car multi-day tours begin at €1,199. Or buy a whole two-night package for €1,999.

If only you could rent this motorcycle on display in the lobby.

Since few people want to spend that sort of money, let’s come back to earth. The last thing I want to mention is the Wi-Fi. The speed was excellent. I had hundreds of photos to back up, and my phone synced them to the cloud in no time at all.

Food & Drink

Moriki is the Roomers Hotel Baden Baden hotel restaurant. As should be clear from the name, it serves Japanese cuisine. Dance beats and low lighting complement a sleek modern style to provide an ambiance that seems more in line with Hollywood than Germany. The prices are in line with what you’d expect of a luxury hotel.

Space was tight, though, that Friday night. Without a reservation, I had to sit at the bar. But I enjoyed the time, since I had a view into the kitchen. The bartender looked barely old enough to drink. Or maybe this is an indication I’m just getting old.

The sushi was good. It was clear it was fresh from the first bite. I’d ordered the maguro nigiri to start, followed by another dish. The first bite hinted that it was more than just sushi rice and fish. I’ve had sushi before where there is a hint of wasabi already added. But this was intense. The second bite was pure fire.

I love pickled ginger, but I don’t do much wasabi. I know. Takes the fun out of Japanese food. At least I didn’t drench the rice in soy sauce.

The “Lost Monk” wok dish proved excellent. It was a mix of meat and fresh vegetable. The food presentation and service during dinner were both excellent at Moriki. 

Breakfast in the Restaurant

I headed back down to Moriki for breakfast the next morning. Rather than Japanese fare, the buffet is what you’d expect from a 5-star European hotel. It offers a great variety of cold cuts and cheeses, wonderfully fresh bread, pastries, yogurt, and a fruit selection. Hot items include sausage, bacon, baked beans, and scrambled eggs. A couple salads and small seafood selection round out the selection. You can order a variety of egg dishes, pancakes, or a couple other options a la carte as well. The presentation is superb. 

Service is where things fell a bit short. The hostess wasn’t all that friendly when I arrived. She asked for my room number, which I gave her in English. She then said something in German, gestured toward the buffet, and promptly walked away and pulled out her phone. Ok, I’m sure I’ll manage. But this is not 5-star service, and a far cry from the Park Hyatt Zurich where I’d stayed a few nights before.

What I missed was any explanation that there are egg options you can order a la carte as part of breakfast. There is a sign, but it is small. I wish I would have realized I could have ordered something more. But breakfast was still excellent. And free with Marriott Platinum status. 

Another surprise was when a guy brought two dogs on leashes into the restaurant. I’m not a fan of pets in food establishments. If you run your own shop, that’s one thing. But they don’t belong in a hotel restaurant. Especially when they’re allowed to walk right up to my table and stick their nose toward the food. 

Final pro: I really dig the Aqua Monaco water in glass bottles.

Final con: the song playlist is short. I definitely lingered at breakfast, enjoying my coffee and reading a book on my Kindle app. But you still shouldn’t hear the same song three times during an hour. 

Roomers Rooftop Bar

The final thing I want to highlight is the Roomers Baden-Baden rooftop bar. I headed up here after enjoying a morning swim. I had the place to myself. The bartender was friendly, and we chatted for a while about travel and Germany in general.

I love the space. There is plenty to love about the style of the Roomers hotel, but this spot takes the cake for me. It’s enclosed, allowing you to enjoy it no matter the season. But with nice views of the terrace, hills, and town.

Roomers Baden-Baden Review: Final Thoughts

Without a doubt, the Roomers Baden-Baden is a top choice in Germany’s famous spa town. It offers comfortable rooms, a great restaurant and rooftop bar, an extensive spa, and nice pool and gym facilities. Not everyone will love the style. It’s sensual and sexy. And I’m not a fan of Playboy on the coffee-table. Service fell short of what I’d expect of a 5-star hotel, with the notable exception of the rooftop bartender. I was glad to check out the hotel, nonetheless. The suite upgrade was a win for sure. Made me not regret picking the five SNAs as my Platinum annual choice benefit.