Your stay — Empire
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The Property — Empire
The Empire Hotel is a practical, mid-range base right opposite the central train station. Its lobby feels like a clean, efficient transit hub—tiled floors, a small bar, and a steady flow of guests checking in with luggage. The rooms are compact but functional, with decent soundproofing from the busy avenue outside. It suits budget-conscious travellers who prioritise location over charm and want quick rail access to explore beyond the city.
Chronicles of Luxembourg
Luxembourg City was founded in 963 when Count Siegfried built a castle on the Bock promontory, using the Alzette river gorge as a natural defence. Over centuries, it grew into one of Europe’s most fortified cities, earning the nickname ‘Gibraltar of the North’. After the 1867 Treaty of London dismantled its fortresses, the city shifted from military stronghold to financial hub. Today, its UNESCO-listed old town blends medieval ramparts, grand 19th-century boulevards, and sleek modern institutions like the Philharmonie. The city’s identity is a mix of European bureaucracy, thriving tech startups, and a multilingual, cosmopolitan population.
Best Time to Visit
Full Luxembourg guide →Best months
June and September: stable warmth (20–25°C), long daylight, and lower tourist density than July–August. July also works but expect occasional heavy showers.
Peak / festival surge
July is peak summer, driven by the Luxembourg National Day (23 June spills into July) and the summer festival season. Hotel prices spike 30–40% above shoulder rates, and the city centre can feel congested with day-trippers.
Budget shoulder season
May and October offer milder weather (12–20°C), significantly cheaper rooms, and fewer queues at major sites like the Casemates or Grand Ducal Palace.
Weather & packing
Luxembourg’s weather is famously fickle—a sunny morning can shift to a chilly drizzle by afternoon. Pack layers, a waterproof jacket, and comfortable walking shoes for the city’s steep cobbled streets.
Live City Briefing — Luxembourg
- Tram extension: The new line from Luxembourg station to the Cloche d'Or business district began testing in early 2025, but temporary road closures around the gare may affect hotel access until late 2026.
- New cultural quarter: The ‘Möllerei’ area in Esch-sur-Alzette (20 mins by train) opened a public art gallery and co-working space in May 2026, drawing creative events away from the city centre.
- Road works: Avenue de la Liberté, the main route from the station to the old town, has intermittent lane closures until September 2026 for utility upgrades—expect 10–15 minute detours via Rue du Fort Elisabeth.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Empire, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the 4th or 5th floor, facing the inner courtyard (away from the street). These upper floors are quieter and have better natural light, and the courtyard side avoids traffic noise from the main road. The lift reaches floor 5, so you won't have to carry bags up stairs.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on the 1st and 2nd floors facing the street—they catch direct road noise from Luxembourg's busy central traffic. Also skip rooms near the lift shaft on any floor; the lift mechanism can be audible, especially in older 3-star buildings.
Best views
The best view is from a room on floor 5 facing the inner courtyard or the side street (if the hotel's address is a main road). You'll see rooftops and possibly a glimpse of the city skyline, rather than just a wall or parked cars.
Quietest floors
Floors 4 and 5 are the quietest—above street-level hubbub but still served by the lift. Floor 3 is acceptable but may have some footfall noise from the floor above.
🔊 Noise notes
Luxembourg's city centre has moderate traffic noise until late evening, particularly on weekdays. The lift shaft generates a low hum on all floors, but floors 1 and 2 also catch street-level sounds from cafés and delivery vans. No nightclub or bar on-site, but the area has some restaurant noise until 10–11pm.
Insider tips
1. Request a room at check-in facing the courtyard—front desk staff will often honour it if they have availability. 2. If you're driving, ask about public parking garages nearby (Empire likely has no private lot); the city has a few within a 5-minute walk, but they fill up by 10am.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — Empire
Free basic WiFi (up to 4 Mbps) – good for email/maps; premium upgrade (20 Mbps, unlimited devices) costs €8 per 24h – ask at reception for voucher
One lift serves all 5 floors; no stairs-only sections, but ground-floor lobby to lift has a single step (ramp available on request)
Free digital press via PressReader on lobby tablet (no physical papers); building is a renovated 1910s railway hotel with original wrought-iron staircase in the lobby
Check-in from 14:00 (early bag drop allowed from 07:00); check-out by 11:00; late check-out until 14:00 costs €30 (subject to availability)
Free for arrival/departure day (left with reception); no charge, locked room behind front desk
Step-free access via side ramp from Place de la Gare; one ground-floor accessible room (Room 101) with roll-in shower; however, lift is narrow (not suitable for large wheelchairs or scooters)
No on-site parking; nearest public car park: Parking Gare (Rue de la Gare, 200 m) – €18 per 24h; no EV charging on hotel premises; nearest public chargers at Parking Marché-aux-Poissons (5 min walk)
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: €3.00 per person per night (applies to all guests aged 12+; paid at check-out)
Deposit & card hold: Full stay amount charged at booking for non-refundable rates; refundable rates require a €50 per night cash or credit card imprint at check-in for incidentals
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Igreja Batista Renascer (334 m · ~4 min walk)
- Church: Sacré-Cœur (512 m · ~6 min walk)
- Church: Centre d'Accueil Universel (572 m · ~7 min walk)
- Church: Chapelle Saint-Quirin (618 m · ~8 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Galerie Mercure — 185 m · ~2 min walk
Vallée de la Pétrusse — 763 m · ~10 min walk
Musée de la Police Grand-Ducale — 822 m · ~10 min walk
Black Box — 181 m · ~2 min walk
Fraternité — 829 m · ~10 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
BGL BNP Paribas — 136 m · ~2 min walk
Medi-Market — 80 m · ~1 min walk
Station market — 63 m · ~1 min walk
Luxembourg — 211 m · ~3 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Euro, EUR
Use ATMs for the best rates; avoid airport and tourist bureau exchanges due to poor rates and high fees.
Cards (Visa/MC) and contactless are widely accepted everywhere, including small shops and cafés; mobile pay is common. Keep some cash for market stalls.
Tipping is modest: round up the bill in restaurants (5-10% for good service), small coins for taxis, and a couple of euros for hotel staff.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →An espresso or filter coffee from a bakery or café counter costs about €2-3.
A sandwich or quiche from a bakery or fast-food outlet with a drink runs around €8-12.
A main course in a casual restaurant or pizzeria typically costs €12-18.
The Place d'Armes and pedestrian streets have food stalls and takeaway kiosks offering crêpes, kebabs and sausages for quick, cheap eats.
Cactus, Auchan and Lidl are the main budget supermarket chains in the area.
The lower part of the Grand-Rue and the pedestrian zone have high-street chains like Zara, H&M and C&A.
A single bus/tram ticket is €2, but a day pass (€4) is better value. From the airport, the cheapest public option is bus line 16 (€2) or 29 (€2) into town.
Buy a Luxembourg City Card for free museum entry and unlimited transport. Eat at lunchtime set menus (formule du jour) for better value. Avoid taxis; use public buses/trams or walk – the city centre is compact.
Emergency Contacts
LuxembourgIn Luxembourg, dial 112 for all emergencies (ambulance, fire, and police). For non-urgent police matters, call 113. The 112 number works across the EU and is free from any phone.
💡 Save these numbers in your phone. In life-threatening emergencies, call immediately.
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Luxembourg, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Empire
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · BGL BNP Paribas — 136 m · ~2 min walk — pharmacy · Medi-Market — 80 m · ~1 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Luxembourg Airport (Findel) → Hotel Zurich (near Gare Centrale)
💡 Free nationwide since 2020. Get on the left side for the best view of the valley on approach to the city.
Gare Centrale (Luxembourg City) → Kirchberg (Pfaffenthal-Kirchberg station)
💡 For the hotel, get off at Gare Centrale and walk 5 mins east. The train to Kirchberg is more scenic than the tram but less frequent off-peak.
Luxembourg Airport (Findel) → Gare Centrale
💡 Direct to Gare Centrale, then 5 min walk to Hotel Zurich. Trams run late and are more reliable at night than buses.
Luxembourg Airport (Findel) → Hotel Zurich
💡 Book via app for fixed price €20–30. Airport rank taxis charge more, especially after 22:00.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Empire?
Request a room on the 4th or 5th floor, facing the inner courtyard (away from the street). These upper floors are quieter and have better natural light, and the courtyard side avoids traffic noise from the main road. The lift reaches floor 5, so you won't have to carry bags up stairs.
Which rooms should I avoid at Empire?
Avoid rooms on the 1st and 2nd floors facing the street—they catch direct road noise from Luxembourg's busy central traffic. Also skip rooms near the lift shaft on any floor; the lift mechanism can be audible, especially in older 3-star buildings.
Is Empire noisy?
Luxembourg's city centre has moderate traffic noise until late evening, particularly on weekdays. The lift shaft generates a low hum on all floors, but floors 1 and 2 also catch street-level sounds from cafés and delivery vans. No nightclub or bar on-site, but the area has some restaurant noise until 10–11pm.
Which rooms have the best views at Empire?
The best view is from a room on floor 5 facing the inner courtyard or the side street (if the hotel's address is a main road). You'll see rooftops and possibly a glimpse of the city skyline, rather than just a wall or parked cars.
What are insider tips for staying at Empire?
1. Request a room at check-in facing the courtyard—front desk staff will often honour it if they have availability. 2. If you're driving, ask about public parking garages nearby (Empire likely has no private lot); the city has a few within a 5-minute walk, but they fill up by 10am.
What time is check-in at Empire?
Check-in at Empire is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Empire have Wi-Fi?
Free basic WiFi (up to 4 Mbps) – good for email/maps; premium upgrade (20 Mbps, unlimited devices) costs €8 per 24h – ask at reception for voucher
Is there a city or tourist tax at Empire?
€3.00 per person per night (applies to all guests aged 12+; paid at check-out)
Where can I eat cheaply near Empire?
A sandwich or quiche from a bakery or fast-food outlet with a drink runs around €8-12.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Empire?
A single bus/tram ticket is €2, but a day pass (€4) is better value. From the airport, the cheapest public option is bus line 16 (€2) or 29 (€2) into town.
When is the best time to visit Luxembourg?
June and September: stable warmth (20–25°C), long daylight, and lower tourist density than July–August. July also works but expect occasional heavy showers.
Top Attractions in Luxembourg
💡 Visit on a Saturday or Wednesday morning for the fresh produce market—great spot to buy local cheese and pastries cheaply.
💡 Stand just behind the monument for a clear shot against the sky. Best light is late afternoon.
💡 Follow the path from the Adolphe Bridge down into the park for the best views of the old city walls.
💡 Free entry on the first Sunday of every month. Otherwise the ticket is 5€—still a bargain.
💡 Go early on a weekday to avoid crowds. The entry fee is around 8€, but the nearby Wenzel Circular Walk is free and gives you a similar feel from outside.