Restful riverfront retreat in Rathen

• Rooms with a view:Boasting a rather special position on the banks of the River Elbe, one of Europe’s great waterways, STEIGER Hotel Rathener Hof is surrounded by some truly exceptional Saxon landscapes. While the forever-flowing river lies at the front of the hotel, behind it looms the famous Bastei rocks, home of the highly Instagrammable Bastion Bridge. The hotel makes the most of the unique vistas beyond its four walls with floor-to-ceiling windows in most of the rooms, which are modern, comfy and practical.

• Fresh flavours:Get ready for a day’s intrepid exploration at the full and bountiful breakfast, where you’ll find all the usual favourites, along with lashings of fresh juice and coffee. Later in the day return to a well-earned beer at the bar while admiring the river views, and then look forward to dinner, where you’ll be delighted by an appetising buffet menu. In the warmer months you can dine al fresco on the terrace while taking in the dramatic landscapes.

• Soothing spa facilities:What could be better than making a beeline straight for a spa after a day out and about in the countryside. This luxury is afforded to you here, with a modern facility that’s complete with an indoor pool, as well as a Finnish and stream sauna.

How to get there

STEIGER Hotel Rathener Hof is on the banks of the River Elbe, in the German town of Rathen. Dresden Airport is about an hour away by car. If you're driving, look for Bahnhof Rathen (Rathen Station) in your navigation system, where parking is available on the Oberrathen side of the river (cars are only allowed on the Niederrathen side by special permit). From the train station, hop on the ferry at the nearby pier for a few minutes, and once you arrive the hotel will be 250m away.

Entry requirements

The passport, visa and health requirements at the time of booking can be viewed on the Foreign and Commonwealth Office website for UK citizens, and on the Department of Foreign Affairs website for IE citizens. It is your responsibility to ensure that you and all members of your party are in possession of all necessary travel and health documents, and in compliance with any other immigration/entry requirements before you travel, including whether your passport must be machine readable or which visas/waivers may be required for entry, such as ESTA for USA travel and/or ETIAS for EU travel. Please also be sure to check the validity of your passport and allow up to 10 weeks for passport renewals.