It’d be easy to miss the fact that Townhouse Dresden is a thoroughly modern luxury hotel — Dresden’s central Neumarkt district is a meticulous re-creation of its prewar self, with the result that this hotel, in the shadow of the Frauenkirche, a few blocks from the Zwinger Palace and the Semper Opera House, was compelled to match its predecessor’s facade brick for brick. Inside, however, contemporary design is king — look no further than the exposed glass-walled elevator shaft that rises past a series of oval-shaped interior balconies. The guest rooms are airy and sleek; equipped, of course, with flatscreen TVs and modern connections. The décor is primarily urban modernist, nothing too flashy — if anything, the aesthetic is quite easy on the eyes, with its white and cream palette complemented by furniture in soothing earth tones. The contrast is dialed up a bit in the suites on the upper floors, where the more spacious rooms accommodate walk-in wardrobes and sizable balconies. The Boutique and Neumarkt suites at the very top offer panoramic views of Dresden, along with a generous arrangement of plush furniture in the suites’ separate living rooms. This is essentially the very heart of Dresden, and not at all a bad place to be if you like to be exposed to a wealth of international cuisine. The hotel’s staff will be happy to lend an expert hand if you need help planning an evening or an entire day in the city — or, if you’d prefer to stay in, breakfast is served in the hotel’s 6th floor saloon, while Bellini’s Bar livens up the foyer.