1. 16 | Issue 5 | May 2014
Surrounded by vineyards in the tranquil
Moselle Valley, guests have been flock-
ing to Hotel des Vignes for the past
thirty years to enjoy a heady mix of
good views, good food, and good wine
– the hotel even produces its very own
Riesling Grand 1er Cru.
With just 24 rooms, all offering panoramic
views, Hotel des Vignes has an intimate
feel, welcoming back its regulars year after
year. With such a name, one might expect
said regulars to be veritable oenophiles,
but as owner and founder Cécile Oswald
explains, this isn’t always the case.
“I mean, most people enjoy a glass of wine
don’t they?” she smiles. “But you don’t
have to be a wine connoisseur to stay here!
Many people come because they love the
calm environment, our beautiful views and
unique position.”
Overlooking both France and Germany,
with views over rolling hills, the cultural at-
tractions of Luxembourg City are only 20
minutes away by car. “We have all the tran-
quillity of the countryside, but we’re not
lost!” laughs Oswald.
The hotel also welcomes travellers of an
athletic persuasion. “The hotel gets quite a
few cyclists who’ve travelled all the way
from Berlin or Switzerland on their bikes,”
she explains. “They can allow themselves
some treats when they arrive!”
And with a chef hailing from France’s gas-
tronomic Périgord region in charge at the
hotel restaurant, this is certainly the place
to come for treats. “We like to mix French
gastronomy with local produce and re-
gional flavours,” explains Oswald. Duck
breast with Pinot Noir sauce and dried figs
and Fillet of pike cooked in a cream of
Riesling are just some of the specialities
which can be enjoyed from the comfort of
the veranda.
Concerning the wine list, Oswald keeps
an open mind. “We don’t limit ourselves to
Luxembourgeois wine,” she says. “We ex-
cel in whites, but when you need a pow-
erful red, it’s best to go French.” That said,
she encourages guests to try her ‘vin de
jardin’, the hotel’s own Riesling Grand 1er
Cru. “It’s the king of wines!” she beams.
www.hotel-vignes.lu
H O T E L O F T H E M O N T H , L U X E M B O U R G
Wine, dine and unwind
TEXT: ANNA PARKIN | PHOTOS: HOTEL DES VIGNES