Where to Stay in Colmar, France: Old Town & Hotel Picks

Colmar is the cuuuuutest place ever. Colourful half-timbered houses, canals, flowers spilling out of window boxes… you can see why we decided to spend our anniversary here! We stayed two nights near Petite Venise in the summer, after three weeks in Freiburg, and loved being able to walk straight out into the old town.

And that’s a big part of Colmar’s appeal: those pretty historic buildings can be your home for a few nights. Even heading back after dinner gives you an excuse for another wander beside the canals!

Choosing where to stay in Colmar can be a little overwhelming, though. There are so many hotels and apartments, and the descriptions can make them sound almost interchangeable. Old town, historic centre, Petite Venise… sometimes you’re looking at places only a few streets apart.

Personally, I’d stay in or close to the old town again, but I’d pay more attention to the room itself next time. Our apartment was super cute and we got a good price for such a central location. But the lack of air conditioning and street-level windows weren’t our favourite combination in the summer heat!

Below, I’ve rounded up where we stayed, along with other hotels and apartments I’d consider for a return trip. Some have all that old Alsatian character, while others offer more space or a few extra comforts, depending on what matters most to you. Let’s get into it!

Where to Stay in Colmar at a Glance

You don’t need a room overlooking the canals to enjoy Colmar, although I know it’s tempting! A place a few streets farther out might give you more space or somewhere easier to park.

Petite Venise is part of the old town, so you don’t need to choose between them as separate neighbourhoods. Finding a room you like will probably matter more than being a few streets closer to a particular bridge! Here’s how the main areas compare:

Staying in Colmar’s Old Town & Petite Venise

If you’ve been saving photos of Colmar, most were probably taken around here. The old town is full of colourful half-timbered houses, with little streets that make it very easy to lose track of where you were supposed to be going. Wandering without much of a plan is part of the fun!

Petite Venise is the canal-side area at the southern end of the old town. Around Grand Rue and Maison Pfister, you’ll be closer to the central shops and restaurants, while staying near Petite Venise puts you closer to the water. They’re a short walk apart, so I wouldn’t worry too much about choosing between them.

It does get busy with day-trippers, particularly around the bridges. If you’d prefer a quieter room, check whether it faces a main street or an inner courtyard. And if you’re driving, ask about parking before booking. You might need to leave the car a short walk away, even when the listing says parking is nearby.

Le Bratzala // Where We Stayed in Colmar

We stayed at Le Bratzala for two nights, and it was a good price even though we booked last minute in peak summer tourist season. For somewhere so close to Petite Venise, we were pretty happy with that!

It’s a cute apartment in a historic building with lots of cute decorations, but it’s small. We didn’t need much space for a couple of nights, though, so it worked well for the two of us. Plus, the hosts are lovely and the central location made it easy to head out and explore.

It’s advertised for four people, but I’d mostly recommend it for couples. You might manage with younger kids, but four adults would be suuuuper cramped. There just wouldn’t be much room left once everyone and their bags were inside.

The main drawback for us was no air conditioning. There was a good fan, but because the apartment was at street level, opening the window shutters meant people walking past could stare straight in. And they did, so we didn’t really like opening the shutters.

I liked the apartment, but the heat and lack of privacy would make me hesitate to book it again in summer. For a short stay on a budget, though, we were happy with the price and location.

Hôtel Saint-Martin // A Pink Hotel Right in the Old Town

If I were choosing a boutique hotel for another short stay in Colmar, Hôtel Saint-Martin would be tempting. It’s right on Grand Rue, in a pink historic building with an arched entrance and a Renaissance turret. There’s even a little courtyard tucked inside!

The rooms have a traditional Alsatian look, with patterned fabrics and wooden furniture. Some have exposed beams, too. I like that the rooms feel as old-fashioned as the building looks. If you prefer something more contemporary, though, you might like Le Colombier better.

For me, the main reason to book would be the location. You’re smack dab among the historic streets, with restaurants nearby and Petite Venise a short walk away. There are double and twin rooms, along with larger options for families. There’s also air conditioning, a breakfast buffet, and luggage storage.

The catch is no private parking, so if you have a car, you’ll need to use a nearby public car park. You can bring your pet, too, just check with the hotel about fees and any restrictions before booking.

Le Colombier // Historic Outside, Modern Inside

Le Colombier appeals to me because you still get to stay in a historic building near Petite Venise, but the rooms are more contemporary. There are exposed beams alongside modern furniture, so it feels like a good option if you love Colmar’s old houses but aren’t quite as keen on antique-style bedrooms.

The courtyard is another thing I like about it. You can sit outside for a while without heading to a café, which would be lovely on a slower morning or when you need a break from walking around. There’s also a sauna, although for a summer visit, I’d be much more interested in the air conditioning!

There’s a breakfast buffet, plus suites and connecting rooms if you’re travelling with family. Pets are welcome, too. It has a few more comforts than our little apartment did and I like that you’re still so close to the canals.

Private parking is another bonus if you’re driving, but spaces are limited, so reserve ahead. Some rooms are only accessible by stairs, so ask about yours before booking if that’s a concern.

Pierre & Vacances La Petite Venise // Apartments with a Pool

If we were staying in Colmar for a week rather than a couple of nights, I’d be tempted to book an apartment at Pierre & Vacances La Petite Venise. The apartments are fairly simple and modern, so I wouldn’t choose to stay here for the décor. But having a kitchenette would be handy for making breakfast and saving a little money on meals. There’s air conditioning, too, plus a laundry room, which I always appreciate on a longer trip.

The indoor pool would be a big draw if you’re travelling with kids, and there’s a children’s wading pool as well. If you want a separate bedroom, make sure to check the apartment layout before booking.

Despite the name, you’re south of Petite Venise, so don’t expect a view over the canals. You can still walk into the old town, though, and the station is about eight minutes away on foot. There’s also paid covered parking and pets are allowed. Reception has limited hours, so arrange your arrival beforehand if you’ll be getting in late.

James Boutique Hôtel // Modern Rooms Near the Old Town

The James Boutique Hôtel is a four-star hotel on the eastern side of Colmar’s old town. I really like the rooms here. They’re contemporary, with soft colours and brass details. They feel a little more polished than the traditional Alsatian inns, but still have plenty of personality.

For another anniversary trip, I’d probably talk myself into one of the Junior Suites with a rooftop terrace. The regular rooms look lovely, but having somewhere outside to sit with a drink and a view over Colmar’s rooftops would be a pretty convincing upgrade!

The breakfast buffet sounds delicious, too! It uses locally sourced products and was developed by two-Michelin-starred chef Jean-Yves Schillinger. I want to try it so badly! Back in your room, you’ll have air conditioning and a coffee machine, plus a kettle if you prefer tea.

Some of the larger suites have extra beds for kids, and you can bring a small dog if you arrange it with the hotel first. There’s private parking, too, which is handy if you’re exploring Alsace by car.

Staying Near the Colmar Train Station

Staying near the station is worth considering if you’ll be taking trains or buses around Alsace. It’s less picturesque than the old town, but getting your bags dropped off quickly and being close to your next departure is appealing!

The old town is roughly a 15-20-minute walk away, so you can still head in for dinner and a wander. For a trip mostly spent in Colmar, I’d choose somewhere closer to Petite Venise. But if we were heading out by train most mornings, I’d be happy staying here and saving ourselves the extra walk.

Grand Hôtel Bristol // Right Across from the Station

If you want to get off the train and be more or less at your hotel, Grand Hôtel Bristol is right across the road. I’d be pretty happy with that location after a long travel day, especially knowing we could drop our bags off before heading into town.

The hotel is in an early-20th-century building, with rooms that mix traditional details and more modern furnishings. The Classic rooms are on the smaller side, so I’d probably go for a Superior room if we were staying a few nights. There are suites, too, although check the sleeping arrangements if you’re bringing kids.

There’s breakfast at the hotel and you can reserve private parking if you’re driving. Pets are welcome for an extra charge, too. The historic centre is roughly a 15-20-minute walk away.

Paul & Pia // A Colourful Stay Between the Station & Old Town

Paul & Pia is the hotel for you if you love colour and dopamine! The rooms are colour-drenched in yellow, pink, and orange, and I love that they’ve had fun with the décor! The European and South American decor give it a very different vibe from the historic hotels in Colmar’s old town.

The rooms are small, but for a couple of nights, I’d be fine with that. We’d be out exploring most of the time anyway. I’d probably go for a Gracias room to get a little more space and a kettle. There’s air conditioning in both room types, too, which I’d definitely appreciate in summer!

I like that there’s a shared lounge, especially with the smaller rooms. You can have breakfast at the hotel, and there’s a microwave in the communal kitchen if you need to warm something up. Pets are welcome for a fee, too. If you’re driving, you’ll need to use public parking nearby since the hotel doesn’t have its own.

Where to Stay in Colmar for the Christmas Markets

We visited Colmar in summer, but going to a European Christmas market is on my bucket list, and I’d love to come back here for it! The half-timbered houses are already cute enough, so I can only imagine what it’s like with all the lights and decorations.

For the Christmas markets, I definitely recommend staying near the old town. It’s nice to head out for a little while, pop back to the room, then go out again once the lights are on. These are a few hotels I’d consider for that kind of trip:

• Hôtel Le Maréchal: This would probably be my top pick for a Christmas trip. It’s in a historic building beside the canals, right by the Petite Venise market, and some rooms even overlook the water.
• Hôtel Le Rapp: Le Rapp puts up Christmas decorations inside, too, which I loooove. It’s central for walking between the markets, and the heated indoor pool is another good reason to book, especially with kids. There are connecting family suites if you want more space.
• La Maison des Têtes: If we were splurging on a Christmas weekend, I’d book this five-star hotel! The rooms have traditional wood panelling mixed with contemporary furniture, and there’s a brasserie in the building. I like the idea of having a yummy dinner right downstairs after an afternoon at the markets

We booked our summer stay last minute, but I wouldn’t count on doing the same for the Christmas markets! If you find somewhere you love, book ahead and check for minimum stays or non-refundable rates. And if you’re driving, ask the hotel where to park and unload during the markets because you might not be able to drive right up to the door.