The former Hotel Alfa has reopened after years of renovation under the name Luxembourg Marriott Hotel Alfa. It marks Marriott’s first location in the Grand Duchy. The building itself carries nearly a century of history.
Located opposite Luxembourg’s main railway station, the hotel first opened in 1932 and served for decades as a key social venue. It hosted jazz evenings, fashion shows, and historic encounters. During the Battle of the Bulge in 1944, it accommodated American generals such as Patton and Eisenhower. After the war, it continued operating as a hotel but increasingly showed its age. Since 1991, the building has been listed as a protected monument, making repurposing impossible. Now integrated into the Marriott portfolio, it assumes a new role as brand ambassador for the international chain – while remaining true to its history and ties to the city of Luxembourg.
Architecture with Restrictions
The reopening was an architectural feat. Listed as a national heritage site since 1991, the building could not be used for other purposes. Numerous historical elements had to be preserved – including the original façade, stucco work, Art Deco lighting and furniture. Interior designer Iria Degen developed a concept that avoids contrasts. Instead, existing materials and shapes were incorporated: metal frames, zigzag floors, glass slats, and curved lines in the furnishings echo design motifs from the 1930s.
The ensemble is complemented by works from local artists. At the heart are four large-scale paintings by Julien Lefèvre, son of the hotel’s original founder. They depict Luxembourg’s regions – not merely as decoration, but as a design anchor that also informed the colour scheme and room layout.
Locally Inspired Dining
The Brasserie Alfa revives a culinary concept familiar to many Luxembourgers from their youth. The menu features classic dishes such as poireaux vinaigrette and confit de canard – some modernised, others intentionally traditional. The style leans toward French bistro cuisine, enhanced with Luxembourgish ingredients and products.
The décor follows the house’s overall aesthetic: abundant wood, broken up with glass panels and brass accents. The Art Deco ceiling cubes are original, as are the wall lamps. Two private dining rooms offer secluded settings, while the large bar recalls the social evenings of decades past.
Rooms with Variety
The hotel offers 153 rooms in various configurations, including 31 suites. Notably, carpeting was deliberately avoided in favour of herringbone parquet, also used in the lobby. Colours are led by petrol blue, olive, and a muted rose. Numerous design elements were custom-made for the property – from furniture and lighting to porcelain, created in collaboration with Jacques Schneider and RAK.
Artistic touches come from six motifs by two young Luxembourgish artists, rotated throughout the rooms. These works also appear in the so-called M Club (not to be confused with the former nightclub in Hollerich!), reserved for Marriott status guests. Technically, the rooms meet international standards – Wi-Fi, streaming, wireless charging – but with an environment far more focused on aesthetics and tactile quality than typical boutique hotels.
A Place with History
Hotel management stresses that the building’s history is no mere marketing tool. Rather, it serves as a constant reference point. A historical photograph of Winston Churchill hangs in the hotel, alongside images of Grand Duchess Charlotte, who once celebrated birthdays here. The new owner views the building as a long-term investment – economically and culturally. The house’s past will increasingly be showcased through publications and events.
