The Westin Leipzig

From the outside it’s not immediately clear what caliber of hotel this is, especially in a city with as much distinctive architecture as Leipzig has. But give it a chance. Behind that ’70s exterior is a very modern, very sleek luxury hotel — though the Westin isn’t located in the old town, this is still the Leipzig of Wagner, Bach or Mendelssohn, not the industrial Leipzig of the GDR days.

Materials are uniformly rich, and after a recent renovation, the design is crisp and minimal, and the colors are toned down — it’s a very adult look, a serious and dignified take on the contemporary design hotel from one of the bigger names in traditional business hotels. And underneath it, it’s a classic five-star, with all that entails: flat-panel televisions, wi-fi everywhere, those famous Westin beds, and a full-service spa and 24-hour gym at your disposal.

The location, just off the main rail station, could hardly be more central, and opera tourists will find all their destinations, from the opera house to Mendelssohn’s old digs, are within walking distance. As are any number of restaurants — though with the Westin’s own Yamato sushi bar and Falco fine dining restaurant, you’re not exactly desperate in that department.