An Inside Look at Hotel Leonor Strasbourg

A Cozy Christmas Stay Right by the Markets

Strasbourg is known as the “Capital of Christmas,” and if you’re planning a holiday trip to Europe, I’m sure it’s already on your radar. It was at the top of my list when I started planning our trip. As part of our three-week European vacation, I planned our itinerary so that we would be in Strasbourg over Christmas Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. I was worried we’d end up stuck inside on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, thinking everything would be closed, but after some research I found that Strasbourg’s Christmas markets would be open on Christmas Eve, and Colmar’s markets open on Christmas Day! That totally shaped our itinerary and made me feel so much better about being in this area for Christmas.

At first, I thought about renting a cute little house to give a bit more room and make the most of the holiday vibes. But after reading some horror stories about last-minute cancellations during the busy season, I decided to go with a hotel instead. So, after a bit of research, I decided to book Hotel Leonor, and I’m glad I did.

Close to Everything

The hotel’s location is amazing. You’re literally within walking distance to everything you want to see in Strasbourg. It’s about a 5-minute walk to the Christmas market at Place Kléber, Strasbourg Cathedral, or even hopping on a train to Colmar, it’s all super easy to get to. After a full day of walking around, it was nice to just take a short stroll back to the hotel and relax.

Comfortable and Cozy

The Hotel itself is warm and cozy. Our room, which was a Classic Room, was great. Most importantly the beds were super comfy (which is huge after spending all day walking), and we slept great each night.

The bathroom was also really nice—modern, clean, and everything you need. The rain shower was great!

The only thing I’ll mention is the closet—it’s a bit small and open (no doors), but honestly, it wasn’t a huge issue. If you’re traveling light, you’ll be fine. If you’ve got a lot of stuff, just know you might need to get creative!

Make Reservations Ahead of Time!

Here’s a tip if you’re visiting over Christmastime: Make your restaurant reservations early! We didn’t realize how busy things would get around Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, and the hotel’s restaurant was fully booked both nights. It wasn’t just them—almost every place in town had no availability. So, if you want to eat at the hotel or anywhere else, be sure to reserve a table in advance.

In addition to the indoor restaurant, there is a beautiful outdoor terrace courtyard for dining or drinks. It wasn’t open while we were there due to the cold weather, but it looked absolutely lovely.

We did have drinks and appetizers in the lounge area one evening. The service was slow, but the place was packed. We did enjoy our cheese plate, as well as the yummy Arancini.

There is also a breakfast buffet where you’ll find fresh pastries like croissants and pain au chocolat, along with cold cuts, cheeses, and cereals. For something hot, there’s scrambled eggs, bacon, and sausages. Fresh fruit, yogurt, and a selection of drinks, including coffee, tea, and juice, are also available.

Quick Tips for the Christmas Markets

If you’re in town for the markets, here’s what you need to know:

Strasbourg Christmas Market: This is one of the oldest and most famous in Europe, and it’s definitely worth the visit. You’ll find everything from handmade gifts to mulled wine, and the atmosphere is unbeatable. So be sure to visit Christkindelsmärik and around the Strasbourg Cathedral (the exterior of the cathedral is the most beautiful I’ve ever seen). Strasbourg was my favorite destination on our Christmas market tour by far. I know deciding which markets to visit can be overwhelming, but for sure put Strasbourg at the top of your list!

Colmar Christmas Market: A short train ride away, Colmar’s market is a bit smaller, but just as charming. It honestly feels like stepping into a fairytale town, so if you’ve got a day to spare, make the trip to Colmar—you won’t regret it. It was no problem to purchase our train tickets the same day we were traveling, and while the trains were busy, it was a quick ride.

Getting Around: Both Strasbourg and Colmar are super walkable, so you won’t need a car. The public transportation in Strasbourg is great if you need it, but you’ll probably end up walking a lot to soak up all the festive sights. And since Hotel Leonor is right in the heart of the action, it’s easy to get everywhere on foot.

Final Thoughts

Overall, we had a great stay at Hotel Leonor. It was the perfect place to crash after a full day of market-hopping and holiday cheer. The location is fantastic, the hotel is cozy, especially when it’s all decked out for Christmas. Just make sure to book your meals ahead of time if you want to eat in the hotel restaurant (or anywhere else in town, honestly). But other than that, it was smooth sailing—and I would definitely recommend this hotel for anyone planning to visit the Strasbourg and Colmar during the Christmas markets, or any time of year.

Contact: laughlinesandtravelsigns@yahoo.com
Disclosure & Privacy Policy