Book Hotel Taschenbergpalais Kempinski Dresden with VIP Benefits

Augustus the Strong commissioned the Taschenbergpalais in 1705 for Anna Constantia, Countess of Cosel. Following the Second World War, the building remained in ruins for almost half a century. Reconstruction began in 1993, and the first hotel guests arrived in late 1994. The formal opening followed on March 31, 1995.

Berlin interior designer Markus Hilzinger used sandstone floors and textile wallpaper in the lobby, where a lighting installation traces the course of the River Elbe. The lights connect the main lounge with Amalie, the hotel's patisserie. Custom furniture and selected artworks continue through the guest rooms, giving the interiors a connection to Dresden beyond the palace facade.

The room names distinguish size from outlook. Baroque Rooms are the smallest at 25 square meters, while Palais Rooms measure 35 square meters; both accommodate up to two guests and face a street or inner courtyard. A Palais View Room retains the 35-square-meter footprint but looks toward historic landmarks. It has a king bed, high ceilings and a seating area, with marbled ceramics in the bathroom.

Grand Palais Rooms have 44 square meters, a king bed and space for up to three guests. Their lounge area and desk sit within the room, while the bathroom has a rain shower and double sink. Extra beds and cribs are permitted in this category. Connecting rooms are available in the Palais View category, subject to the particular arrangement being confirmed.

For a separate bedroom, the Deluxe Suite provides 60 square meters and accommodates up to four guests. Its king bedroom is distinct from the living room, and the bathroom has both a tub and separate shower. The outlook is onto a street or courtyard. Connecting options, extra beds and cribs are available, though layouts within this category vary.

The Royal Suite combines the King and Queen Suites into 380 square meters, with two king bedrooms and a current maximum of six guests. Separate living and dining rooms are joined by kitchen facilities and private wellness spaces, including a Finnish sauna and steam shower. Oak parquet and a large reproduction of Bernardo Bellotto's Dresden cityscape give the interiors a local reference. The painting was reproduced in collaboration with the Dresden State Art Collections.

Kastenmeiers centers its menu on fish and seafood, with Gerd Kastenmeier using seasonal ingredients from the region. Freshwater and saltwater aquariums sit above the open kitchen, while clay-plastered walls display a changing selection of contemporary art. The works can be purchased. Alongside the regular menu, a four-course surprise menu gives the kitchen control of the sequence, with a wine pairing available. Dinner is served daily.

Kastenmeiers Wine and Champagne Bar has its own selection of smaller dishes from the restaurant kitchen. Rare wines are available by the glass through a Coravin system, and groups can arrange blind tastings. It is a distinct evening option within the hotel, particularly for guests interested in comparing wines without ordering a full bottle of each.

Amalie Pâtisserie & Lounge brings the focus back to the lobby. Tartlets, pralines and chocolate creations accompany coffee and tea, with takeaway available. Afternoon tea includes sandwiches, English scones and house-made pastries. The savory menu includes a club sandwich, Caesar salad and a vegan patty. Around the fireplace, armchairs and more secluded seating areas leave space for a lingering afternoon stop.

Bar 1705 takes its name from the palace's founding date, while its interiors look to the 1920s and New York's Oak Room. Whiskies and spirits line the bar, with cocktails and a menu of bar dishes. The historical reference and late-evening atmosphere make it a different setting from the patisserie and main lounge.

Breakfast is served in a separate restaurant, with courtyard tables available in summer. The buffet is supplemented by egg dishes, porridge and pancakes, and includes vegetarian and vegan choices. Weekend service runs until 11:30 a.m., an hour later than on weekdays. Coffee and tea are served at the table.

The indoor pool measures five by 11 meters and is maintained at 28 degrees Celsius. Loungers sit along both sides, and the sauna area includes two Finnish saunas, a steam room and an infrared cabin. Children's pool sessions, accompanied by an adult, are scheduled daily from 10 to 11:30 a.m. and 3 to 4:30 p.m. Confirm the applicable age restrictions before your visit. Treatments have a minimum age of 16. The Fitness Suite opens from 6:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Sandstone, wood and porcelain appear again in the treatment spaces. The menu includes partial-body massages concentrating on the back, legs or arms, as well as aromatic-oil and hot-stone massages. Facials and body treatments can also be booked. The saunas open at 2 p.m. Monday through Thursday and at 7 a.m. Friday through Sunday.

The house chapel has a nine-meter ceiling and a gallery that can accommodate musicians during a ceremony. It is available for personalized vows, while the historic staircase can host an aperitif or reception. Elsewhere, salons on the Bel Etage look toward the Semper Opera House and Royal Palace. The courtyard provides an outdoor setting for private events within the palace walls.

The Historic Green Vault in the neighboring Royal Palace requires a timed admission ticket. Its rooms recreate Augustus the Strong's treasury, with precious objects displayed within richly decorated interiors. A combined ticket can include the other Royal Palace collections on the same day. The Historic Green Vault is closed on Tuesdays, a useful detail when organizing a short stay around Dresden's museums and an evening at the opera.

From Dresden Airport, the hotel estimates a drive of 20 to 30 minutes, depending on traffic. The concierge can arrange a car transfer to the Taschenberg entrance.