Oetker Hotels Masterpiece Collection: The World’s Most Iconic Properties?

I thought it would be fun to do a series of posts on some of the world’s small luxury hotel groups. I’ve written in the past about Airelles, BVLGARI, Cheval Blanc, Ritz-Carlton Reserve, etc. In this post, I’d like to take a look at Oetker Hotels (previously branded as Oetker Collection), a small group of ultra-luxury properties that are among the most refined hotels in the world, exemplifying old world European hospitality.

Some people might not be familiar with the Oetker brand as such, but are almost certainly familiar with the individual properties, many of which frequently rank on the list of the world’s top hospitality experiences. Oetker Hotels currently has nine properties within its “Masterpiece Collection,” ranging from timeless city properties, to seaside resorts and private islands.

In this post I’d like to cover what makes the brand special, details about the individual hotels, and talk about the best ways to book.

Basics of what makes Oetker Hotels special

Funny enough, I was familiar with the Oetker brand long before I cared about hotels. When I was a kid spending a lot of time in Germany with family, I knew the Dr. Oetker brand for its confectionery conglomerate. As it turns out, that same family is also in the hospitality industry, though that’s just a tiny fraction of their business.

The story of Oetker Hotels began with the Oetker family’s vision to create “houses” rather than grow a big chain of hotels. From its origins managing Brenners Park in Baden-Baden in the early 20th century, the collection has grown slowly, acquiring properties that carry history, distinctive architecture, and a strong sense of place.

It’s pretty clear from the slow expansion that the brand isn’t about volume, but rather about hospitality. That’s rare in today’s world, where all so many businesses care about is growth. Although a German company, Oetker seems to have a French heart, and has its most famous hotels in France (including in the Caribbean). For that matter, the brand definitely has a European feel across the board, in contrast to some other luxury hotel groups (like Mandarin Oriental and Peninsula), which have more of an Asian design focus.

Oetker refers to each of its properties as part of the “Masterpiece Collection,” and each seems to be among the best in its locale (if not the undisputed best).

Oetker Hotels locations & basics

As mentioned above, Oetker Hotels currently has nine locations, with a heavy focus on Europe. While many people may not be familiar with the Oetker brand as such, the individual properties are iconic, and are ones that anyone into luxury hotels will be familiar with, as they rank among the best in the world.

Let’s talk a bit about each of the Oetker Hotels properties, roughly in order of fame and popularity.

Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc (Antibes, France)

Perched on the Cap d’Antibes coastline, Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc is among the Riviera’s (and world’s) most famous resorts. It’s open seasonally from April to October, and offers 118 rooms and suites spread between the main hotel, the Eden-Roc Pavilion, and private villas.

The property features the Dior Spa Eden-Roc, as well as several restaurants, including Eden-Roc Restaurant and Louroc, which has a Michelin star. You’ll probably recognize the hotel’s saltwater pool, among the most famous hotel pools in the world. This property is so popular that it can even be hard to snag a room here in summer when booking far in advance.

Le Bristol Paris (Paris, France)

Le Bristol Paris is one of the most classic luxury hotels in the city, located on Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré, close to many boutiques and restaurants. The hotel has 190 rooms and suites and holds France’s prestigious Palace distinction, which is sort of like a sixth star for French hotels.

It features an enclosed iconic rooftop pool with views over Montmartre, the Spa Le Bristol by La Prairie, and a courtyard garden. Dining includes the three Michelin starred Epicure, the one Michelin star 114 Faubourg, plus the stylish Le Bar du Bristol.

Eden Rock St Barths (Saint Barthélemy)

Set on a rocky promontory above St. Jean Bay, Eden Rock St Barths is one of the Caribbean’s most recognizable hotels. The property offers 37 rooms, suites, and villas. It features the Eden Rock Spa by Ligne St Barth and dining by chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten, including Sand Bar and Rémy Bar.

The hotel’s interiors are eclectic, mixing bright white walls with bold colors and local art to create rock and roll vibes (strange as that might sound). It’s certainly the most well regarded hotel on the island, and also one of the most famous in the Caribbean.

The Lanesborough (London, United Kingdom)

Overlooking Hyde Park Corner, The Lanesborough is one of London’s grandest hotels, with 93 rooms and suites restored in Regency style. The hotel features The Lanesborough Club & Spa, operated in partnership with Ila, and dining includes The Lanesborough Grill and the Library Bar.

The interiors are decorated with period furniture, intricate moldings, and soft pastel tones. The spa is one of London’s largest, with hydrotherapy pools, thermal suites, and a range of wellness programs. In fairness, London has become a very competitive hotel market, and there’s certainly a lot of competition there.

Jumby Bay Island (Antigua)

Jumby Bay Island is an all-inclusive resort, with 40 rooms and suites (plus private residences), located on a private island off the coast of Antigua. The spa offers island-inspired treatments, and dining options include The Estate House, Pool Grille, and beachfront bars.

Jumby Bay has a more traditional Caribbean feel than Oetker’s other Caribbean resort, Eden Rock. It’s considered by many to be one of the world’s most luxurious all-inclusive resorts, combining attentive service with a relaxed island vibe.

Hotel La Palma (Capri, Italy)

Originally Capri’s first hotel, Hotel La Palma reopened under Oetker management after a full renovation. It offers 50 rooms and suites, all with balconies or terraces. The hotel features a full-service spa, and dining includes Gennaro’s Restaurant, Bianca Rooftop Restaurant & Bar, and Da Gioia Beach Club.

La Palma is located in the heart of Capri Town just steps from the Piazzetta, which makes it easy to walk to many of the island’s best shops and restaurants. The hotel’s Da Gioia Beach Club, situated on the Marina Piccola side of the island (about 10–15 minutes from the resort), provides beach service for guests with sun loungers, lunch, and views of the Faraglioni rocks.

L’Apogée Courchevel (Courchevel 1850, France)

L’Apogée Courchevel sits atop the Jardin Alpin at the heart of Courchevel 1850. The hotel has 53 rooms and suites, along with a penthouse and two chalets, and is open exclusively for the winter season, from December through early April.

For those times when people aren’t on the slopes, Spa L’Apogée by La Prairie offers location specific treatments. Dining outlets include Le Comptoir de L’Apogée, Koori, a Japanese restaurant, plus a bar and cigar lounge.

Château Saint-Martin & Spa (Vence, France)

Located in the hills above the Côte d’Azur, Château Saint-Martin & Spa overlooks the south of France and Mediterranean Sea beyond the rolling hills. The hotel has 46 rooms and suites, along with six private villas, and features the Spa Saint-Martin by La Prairie. The main restaurant, Le Saint-Martin, has a Michelin star, and the terrace restaurant, L’Oliveraie, serves traditional Provençal fare under a grove of olive trees.

The property is about 30 minutes from Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc and roughly 25 minutes from the beaches of Cagnes-sur-Mer, making it ideal for travelers who want Riviera views without the crowds and scene.

Brenners Park-Hotel & Spa (Baden-Baden, Germany)

Opened in 1872, Brenners Park-Hotel & Spa sits is located next to Lichtentaler Allee park in Baden-Baden. The hotel has 104 rooms and suites, and features the Villa Stéphanie Spa & Wellbeing. Dining includes Fritz & Felix, which focuses on contemporary regional cuisine and has a lively bar scene.

The property is surrounded by extensive private gardens that open directly onto the park, offering walking paths, terraces, and a sense of openness that’s rarely found in city hotels. Brenners is also known for its comprehensive approach to wellness, and offers medical consultations, nutrition programs, spa treatments, fitness coaching, and more.

Palácio Tangará (São Paulo, Brazil)

Palácio Tangará is an urban resort surrounded by tropical greenery and palms, set within Burle Marx Park. The hotel has 141 rooms and suites, all with garden or park views. It features the Flora Spa by Sisley, an outdoor and indoor pool, and dining by chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten at Tangará Jean-Georges.

Best way to book Oetker Hotels with perks

As is the case with virtually any luxury hotel, there are many ways to book, and reserving directly typically isn’t the best option, since you can book elsewhere and get extra perks without paying more.

The one consistent way to get perks at Oetker Hotels is to book through a travel advisor affiliated with Oetker Collection Pearl Partner, which is Oetker’s preferred partner program. Through this channel, you’ll receive exclusive amenities, like daily breakfast, room upgrades, early check-in and late check-out subject to availability, and an additional property-specific benefit, like a dining or spa credit.

Since Pearl Partner rates match those offered directly by Oetker Hotels, booking through an advisor adds extra value at no additional cost.

Interestingly, some Oetker Hotels properties don’t actually belong to the other major programs that offer extra perks, whether it’s Virtuoso, or some of the credit card programs. That’s because some of the properties are so in demand that the company doesn’t think it has to belong to these programs — fair enough.

Still, there are some other ways to get value with luxury hotels. Several premium cards offer some sort of hotel credits when booking hotels costing a certain amount or when staying a certain number of nights, so that’s worth looking into as well.

Bottom line

Oetker Hotels is perhaps the world’s single most iconic boutique luxury hotel group, in terms of the number of famous properties that it has. While some people may not be familiar with Oetker as such, the individual hotels are very well known.

Unfortunately there’s no loyalty program for Oetker Hotels, though booking through Pearl Partner is the best bet in terms of getting extra perks.