Germany & Austria
Best and worst accommodations:
Worst: Hotel Bon Apart - Gorlitz
Why: Hotel Bon Apart, p 374, friendly, but we were on the 5 (US style) floor w/ you should indicate no elevator & possibly 4 flights of stairs to climb)- felt a bit like a fire trap.
Jack Ferguson in Plano , Tx USA 09/04/2008
Best: Alpen Hotel, Munich
Why: The atmosphere was great, the rooms were large and clean and the staff was friendly and helpful. The guidebook says that this is overpriced but we thought the prices were quite reasonable. And the breakfast was wonderful!
Worst: Hotel Reinbold, Munich
Why: The room reminded us of a hospital room. The TV was even mounted on the wall above your head facing the bed, just like a hospital. The breakfast area was unappealing. The room furnishings looked dated. Definitely not worth the price.
Sheila Chalmers in Redwood City, CA USA 08/31/2008
Best: Pension Hohenrainer in Ehenbichl outside Reutte
Why: Wonderful!! More reasonable than others nearby, very clean, modern and comfortable. Friendly owner and husband. We will stay again!!
Julie & Ed Wrabetz in Madison, WI USA 08/22/2008
Best:
Why:
Mike Roberts in Cincinnati, Oh USA 08/18/2008
Best: Best Hotel Trumer Stube Salzburg, Austria
Why: The owners were so friendly, warm and welcoming. The rooms were very clean and spacious. The breakfast was wonderful. I would sure stay there again!
Heidi Haugen in Kenyon, MN USA 08/14/2008
Best: Hotel Petrisberg, Trier
Why: A clean, roomy, welcoming hotel with a helpful staff, fine breakfast, and spectacular view of the town of Trier. We would go back in a heartbeat, and recommend it to others.
Worst: Hotel Mueller, Cologne
Why: The hotel may have been renovated, but not all the way. Beware of Room #31, where the light fixture over the bathroom sink was poorly installed and just stopped working. (This was Saturday afternoon, so no chance of getting it fixed during our brief tenure.) It sounds trivial, but the whole bathroom layout was incomplete, with flooring that was part carpet and part tile, with poor workmanship and -- it's hard to explain. The carpet in our room and on the stairs may not be very old, but the quality wasn't very good, and the edges of the stair treads are worn dangerously -- something I might not mention if the purported renovation had not been pointed out in the guide. We had reserved 3-4 months ahead, but because we arrived late in the day, we obviously got the worst room. At checkout the desk person (Frau Muller??) apologized about the light and was obviously aware of the problem -- and I think the city inspectors are as well. On the upside: Their breakfast layout is excellent -- something for everybody!
Nancy in San Carlos, CA USA 08/14/2008
Best: Gutshof zum Schluxen
Why: It is a very nice, central location to the different towns and provided a good base for me when biking.
Eric Almeida in Ames, IA USA 08/05/2008
Best: Rhein Hotel in Bacharach
Why: Great location, exceptionally warm welcome
Holly Quan in Turner Valley, AB Canada 07/15/2008
Best: Munich Hotel Uhland + Melk Goldener Stern
Why: Uhland is a great value with great rooms in a quiet area only a block from a U-Bahn stop. Stern has great rooms, great location, and very friendly owners. When I asked for an English menu, the server (and owner's wife) proceeded to explain every dish on the menu herself!
Worst: None
Why: After four trips, I have yet to be disappointed by a Rick Steves recommendation.
David A. Fiala in Melbourne, FL USA 07/12/2008
Best: Gorlitz: Dreibinger Hund
Why: The hotel was charming with a wonderful restaurant on the first floor. The room was lovely and the bathroom was spacious and modern. The elevator was very modern and had some interesting features. The staff struggled with English a bit but we managed to get through our transactions with our phrasebooks and lots of laughter.
Janet Johnson in Manhattan Beach, CA USA 07/11/2008
Best: Alpenhotel Ernberg & Gasthof Goldner Greifen
Why: Sorry, I couldn't choose just one! Hospitality, cleanliness, and food. We've never stayed in B&B's before---they made us feel right at home.
Worst: None
Why: We hadn't planned to stay at as many of the recommended accomodations as we did, but were quite pleased. However, we visited Heidelberg on my brother's advice, (he'd been there 10 years earlier)and found Rick's "lowlights" after visiting, and Rick was right.
Gwen Ashworth in Lake Charles, LA USA 07/09/2008
Best: Hotel Hillen, Bacharach, Germany
Why: Although not fancy, our room was clean, quiet and the beds were comfortable. The best part about our two-night stay at Hotel Hillen were the friendly, hospitable, and helpful owners, Erich and Iris. They were wonderful on the phone, by email, and in person. Erich provided detailed directions for our early morning flight out of Frankfurt (one hour's drive away), and Iris packed us a "brown bag breakfast" since we would be leaving long before breakfast was served.
Susan Langin in Cranbrook, BC Canada 07/08/2008
Best: Hotel Gerberhaus (Rothenburg)
Why: Very friendly and accomodating! Fresh, updated rooms, and a great breakfast offering. Located at the quient end of town away from the main square. The garden in the back was perfect for a late evening beer.
Worst: Hotel Am Markt (St. Goar)
Why: Not bad at all! Just our least favorite of the five recommended hotels we stayed at. The only issue is the train noise, as they run on both sides of the Rhine at all hours. Had we kept the windows closed it would have been better, but with four in the room, it was a bit stuffy. VERY friendly staff with a good location and terrific restaurant. A solid B+
Mike Greene in Wildomar, CA USA 07/08/2008
Worst: Hotel Lucas, Nurnberg
Why: Too noisy at night due to partying after the restaurant closed. Not the hotel's fault but unnerving to get so little sleep
Ann Doty in Juneau, AK USA 07/07/2008
Best: Gasthof Weisses Kreuz in Innsbruck
Why: Location and service. A bit noisy from the street at night.
Mark Weatherly in Orlando, FL USA 07/07/2008
Best: Gastof Greifen - Rothenburg
Why: Aside from being an amazing town this was our favorite place to stay in 5 weeks of traveling. The room was wonderful, the owners were so kind and willing to do anything to make your stay comfortable. The restaurant in the hotel was outstanding. Everything about this wonderful place was 1st rate.
Worst: Hotel Beaugency - Paris
Why: First, I must say the location is great. We have traveled quite a bit in Europe and have stuck strictly to Rick Steves recommendations and been very pleased. This hotel is in need of a little freshening up. It was very small and the rooms were pretty worn. The walls needed painting badly and our room needed new bathroom fixtures in the shower. We were there for 3 nights and would probably opt for someplace else in the future.
Susan Meeker in Sisters, OR USA 07/02/2008
Best: Pension Peters
Why: Everyone we met who worked here looked as though they loved their job. Whoever was working breakfast always spent time introducing themself to the guests and talking about the guests plans, etc. Met lots of Rick Steves' enthusiasts here! Also met a young couple who live about a mile from us in Bellingham! The rooms are adequate and clean. The location is wonderful - great area as well as close to transporation. We would highly recommend Pension Peters and would absolutely stay there again.
Nancy in Bellingham, WA USA 06/29/2008
Best: Hotel Cristalle in Koln
Why: Wonderful boutique hotel close to the train station. Great breakfast and did I mention it is air conditioned???? We also stayed at the Hotel Harmonie. It is right next door. It too was a good experience but would probably go back to the Cristalle - it was less expensive
Nancy in Bellingham, WA USA 06/29/2008
Worst: Hotel Gerberhaus (Rothenburg)
Why: Its actually a pretty nice place, but I did want to mention the showers. They are slightly sunken into the floor and have a partition, but there are no shelves of any kind inside the shower! So either you put your soap and shampoo on the shower floor (yuck!) or put it on the closed toilet lid next to the shower. Of course if you do that each time you reach out for something you drip water; by the time 2 people have showered the floor is a sopping wet mess.
Mike Thompson in Los Angeles, CA USA 06/26/2008
Worst: Hotel Muenchner Kindl, Munich
Why: Although the place is clean, it was incredibly noisy. Our room was on the inner courtyard, and literally the slightest noise traveled up to our first floor room. Televisions, radio, and conversation from any room on the courtyard came through our window. Bathroom was okay (plastic, small, but clean). Breakfasts were poor -- Monday's rolls and bread showed up Tuesday and Wednesday. Owners were pleasant. A friend had a street-facing room, very small, and reported it to be noisy as well. Great location though.
Jack in Newtown Square, PA USA 06/18/2008
Best: Pension im Malerwinkel, Bacharach
Why: Very nice, quiet rooms, and a wonderfully historic half-timbered location by one of the town gates. It's far enough from the river that there is no problem with train or traffic noise, but close enough that everything in town is an easy 5 to 8 minute walk away. Good breakfast and helpful hosts too.
G Weaver DE USA 06/14/2008
Best: Hotel Das Beck (Reutte) and Hotel Klosterstueble (Rothenburg)
Why: Both hotels had good, clean rooms and very friendly, helpful owners. I had a large single room at Das Beck. We shared food and drinks with the owners who said Rick was visiting the next week. They bought us a glass of Autrian red wine and prepared an excellent dish of local cheeses, meats, and bread . The Klosterstueble had an excellent restaurant. I ate there both nights. When I arrived the owner went out in the streets to find me a parking place. When I was leaving there was a parade blocking the suggested way out and she came to my car to give me alternative directions. I very much enjoyed both hotels and would go back.
Jim P. in Atlanta, GA USA 06/07/2008
Best: Hotel Lohspeicher, Cochem, Germany (Mosel)
Why: We looked at their website and found a special last minute booking deal that included half pension with the room. You're supposed to call only one day in advance for the deal but I called 2 days in advance and they let me book it right then. The room was fine but the food was exquisite and the dining was a wonderful experience. Breakfast was a typical buffet of cheese, meat, yoghurt, cereal, eggs, etc. but also included mimosas! The dinner was indeed "Fine Dining" with gourmet fare. The whole package cost us 75 Euros per person. All in all it was a great experience.
Sarah P. in Fairfax, VA USA 06/07/2008
Best: Lettie's Pension, Bacharach
Why: Extremely comfortable room, great price (45 euros/night, double) very accommodating host, great location.
Worst: Atlanta Hotel, Munich
Why: It was the MOST (by far) expensive hotel we stayed in (128 euros/night for a double) and the worst room. We had difficulty finding reservations during beginning of May,(even though we booked over two months in advance) which is why we stayed there. The room was so small we could hardly move around-no space for luggage, hardly any space for clothes, no hooks on the wall, no place to hang towels, bathroom in the hall. We don't mind simple accomodations, but not at this price! I don't think it should be in the "recommended" hotels section at all. Also, a number of rooms (not ours, thank goodness) had windows which opened on to common areas, such as storage room next to bathrooms!
Barbara in Eikenberry, CA USA 05/23/2008
Best: Hotel Uhland
Why: This place is much more than I expected. We booked two rooms, one regular, and one 'comfort' for our three college aged colleagues.They had plenty of room. The high ceilings, comfy beds, and excellent breakfast made our trip even greater. The hotel is about 20 mins from the Marianplatz, but it was a safe walk. Nicholas, who helped us find the Olympic park, was cordial and consistently helpful. There was a cute little dog in the hallway, the owner's pet, that our college girls fell in love with. I have already recommended this hotel to my relatives who are going to Munich in a few weeks.
Ramona Schescke in Alexandria, VA USA 05/22/2008
Best: Gasthof Griefen
Why: Great location, good breakfast, big room, friendly staff
Kate Buechler in Winnipeg, MB Canada 05/22/2008
Best: Hotel Kurcafe, Fuessen
Why: Beautiful hotel with scrumptious breakfast! They also accept VAT forms is you are American military or civilian and have access to them. You will want a room with the sound-proof windows (work perfectly) if staying in a room on the streetside. Great experience!
Amy in Wiesbaden, Germany 05/17/2008
Best: Hotel Uhl - Rothenburg , Gasthof Badl - Hall in Tirol, Austria, Institute St. Sebastian in Salzburg, Austria, and Hotel Sonya in Rome
Why: We love Rothenburg and have stayed twice at Hotel Uhl. Gasthof Badl's location overlooking the river, town, covered bridge, and the Alps is absolutely breathtaking. The owner makes you feel like family. The location of Institute St. Sebastian is terrific. The staff were very helpful and pleasant. Finding Hotel Sonya was a challenge but we enjoyed the location and the owner was very nice.
Bev Smith in Grand Junction, CO USA 05/02/2008
Best: Hotel Hornburg in Rothenburg ob der Tauber
Why: Unbelievably nice, accommodating staff. They will truly go out of their way to demonstrate their hospitality and graciousness. They say they truly enjoy what they do and it shows! The owners really want you to feel as though you're "at home". Their breakfast is excellent (one of the best we've had and my husband and I are living in Germany, so we've had our fair share of travels here) and their rooms are lovely. A fantastic value for a special place to stay. HIGHLY recommended!!
S & J in Freiburg im Breisgau, BW Deutscheland 04/29/2008
Best: Hotel das Beck, Reutte
Why: Great staff, super value (family room with kitchenette!), delicious breakfast, fun bar, central location
Debra Livak in Boise, ID USA 04/20/2008
Best: Frau Ursula in Bacharach & Hotel BlauerBock in Munich
Why: Ursula is so freindly and offers amazing accomodations for the price - large, clean, right off the main street. She doesn't speak much english, but her breakfast speaks for itself. Highly recommended!!!
Location! Location! Location! We had a smaller room, facing the courtyard (a quiet sleep) at the Blauerbock. We shared a bathroom on the floor, but it was practically ours. Everything was nice and clean. I can't express how nice it was to be a two minute walk from the Marienplatz and have the Viktuleanmarkt right out our front door. Amazing place!
Robert Villigram in St. Louis, MO USA 02/28/2008
Best: Pension Waldrast in Reutte Austria
Why: We really enjoyed the family room (even though the bathroom had no fan). We stayed at the end of July and you could open the balcony doors. It was clean, the breakfast was good and the Huter Family was really friendly and helpful. We farm hay and they showed us their hay barn and fields and told us how they farm. It made our stay memorable and personal. They also recommended a good restaurant "Alina" that served many types of schnitzel, and they directed us to the Alpine Coaster in Imst, Austria which was a really fun activity.
Carolyn in Birrell, UT USA 02/06/2008
Best: Any Wombat's Hostel
Why: Good Internet prices, amazing rooms, awesome people.
Worst: Westend Hostel, Vienna
Why: Not that this place was horrible, but there were ants in the bathroom.
Shawn in L, NY USA 02/01/2008
Best: Catsrest B&B, near Frankfurt
Why: Professional couple Karin & Mattias Kohler are warm, friendly & exceptional hosts. They rent one large well appointed suite on the 3rd floor of their home located conveniently near Frankfurt airport. Coffee, tea, homemade cookies & fruit basket grace the room daily. We booked 3 days of a 3 1/2 month trip here. We have traveled Europe for 30 years and know when an accommodation is special. The location to Frankfurt airport could not be better. Kohler's graciously invited us to share special events in their lives. They stored some of our luggage for 2 months & collected tons of bubble wrap for all the treasures we collected. Being allergic to cats, I was a bit concerned when I initially booked the room. However, their two extremely well behaved cats caused me absolutely no problem. This is a super place to stay when in te Frankfurt area. Email is CatsRest@CatsRest.de.
Beverly Clauser in Ramona, CA USA 01/31/2008
Best: Hotel Das Beck in Reutte, Austia
Why: friendly hostess, great two-room family suite and located right in the middle of town near restaurants, lovely breakfast
Worst:
Why:
Gail in Albany, OR USA 01/27/2008
Best: Pension Nossek
Why: This was a wonderful place to stay. Accomodations were excellent, breakfasts were the same, and the Frau's and their help were wonderful. Most helpful for sightseeing advice and anything else requested. Found us a wonderful restaurant at which to eat before going to the New Years Eve concert of the Wiener Philharmoniker. NY Eve on the Graben was wonderful. Location is excellent.
Alan & Shelley Davis in Thornton, CO USA 01/23/2008
Best: Haus Reichl - Salzburg
Why: We spent 5 days, including Christmas, at Haus Reichl www.privatzimmer.at/haus-reichl this year. Franziska Reichl was so welcoming and cheerful each day. Her rooms are large, very clean and homey. Each morning a large breakfast of rolls, breads, eggs, cereal, juice, hot tea or coffee and fruit were available, included in the cost of 52€ per night for 2 people. There is also a TV with international channels in the room.
Her home is located less than a 5 minute walk off Moosstrasse, which is just south of old Salzburg. It takes less than 15 minutes on bus 21 from the Old town to bus stop Gsengerweg where you will see her street, Reiterweg. Staying for 5 nights, 6 days, we bought the 7 day Netzkarte ticket from the automatic ticket machines at the train station, (they are also at the major bus stops) for 12.50€ which included unlimited bus transportation in Salzburg for a week.
On Christmas morning the Christmas tree was in the breakfast room, beautifully decorated with handmade straw ornaments and candles. In Austria, the trees aren't displayed until Chrismas Eve! It was so enjoyable learning of their customs from Franziska, and meeting her lovely family. At the end of our stay she was happy to drive us back to the train station, where we traveled onto Vienna.
Lorrie in Cincinnati, Oh USA 01/07/2008
Best: Apartments an den Frauenkirche - Dresden
Why: Best value for the accomodations provided the apartment was above the restaurant.
Paul Wester in Dickinson, TX USA 01/02/2008
Best: Kings Hotel Center in Munich, and Weisse Taub in Salzburg
Why: Kings Hotel Center was welcoming, clean and had cozy, charming rooms. I immediately felt comfortable upon entering my room. This hotel has a professional hotel feel about it. Book ahead and get their early rates. The Weisse Taube in Salzburg was also very comfortable and decent, right in the old center with a nice breakfast included. It has a kind of old world charm about it. Good rates for its location.
Linda A USA 12/14/2007
Best: Haus Reichl in Salzburg, Austria
Why: Fransiska and her husband were a blessing to my mom and me on our first trip to Europe. We don't speak German and wanted to find our relatives. Fransiska called rental car agencies, set up a car with GPS, and then drove us to pick up the car! When we returned after finding our relatives near Eggstatt, Germany, she ran out of the house and eagerly asked if we had found them. She was truly interested in helping us fulfill our vacation dreams, rather than just being a bed and breakfast hostess. Her recommendations for the Salzburg card and Mozart dinner concert were not pushy. We thoroughly enjoyed two full days exploring Salzburg because of her suggestions. It was reassuring to know that our Rick Steves book also recommended all these places. After the late night Mozart dinner and concert, her husband even met us with their car at the bus stop so we didn't have to walk down the long lane in the dark! I have recommended Haus Reichl to some friends who live in Berlin, Germany. I would highly recommend them to everyone!
Nancy Zellinger in Eau Claire, WI USA 12/14/2007
Best: Hotel Weisse Taube-Salzburg
Why: This was one of my favorite hotels of all time. The location was within walking distance to everything we wanted to do, the staff was very friendly (one of the ladies packed us up a breakfast to take on an early train the day we left), they had giant umbrellas for us to use in the rain and their breakfast room is awesome with a lot of selection. Had a wonderful time!
Worst: Hotel Am Markt-Baden Baden
Why: Although the location was great, I guess I didn't realize how early the church bells start ringing in the morning. Otherwise, it was a nice place to stay.
china in maui, HI USA 12/01/2007
Best: Pension Peters in Berlin
Why: Excellent location and the rooms were very large and spotless, helpful staff, good breakfast and good shower. We had a room that faced the street, but the street noise wasn't too bad. The Savigny Platz area is our favorite area to stay in Berlin because of the abundance of great dining places.
H Bartholomew and T Brown in Pittsburgh, PA USA 11/13/2007
Best: Gasthof Zauner in Hallstatt
Why: When our reserved rooms at Braugasthoff Hallstatt were given to other people this hotel accepted 4 of us (2 rooms) with no reservations at the same rate as the other hotel would have charged us (at a loss to this hotel). Wonderful gentleman, very pleasant, fantastic restaurant and good stories. Very good location and large rooms.
Worst: Braugasthoff Hallstatt
Why: We had confirmed reservations, reserved on my Visa for my husband and I and my inlaws (ages 78,79). We arrived at about 2:15pm and our names were on their reservation board when we got there for 2 reserved rooms with balcony over looking water. They had our surnames for rooms 7 and 8 on their chalkboard. The daughter of the owner takes us up to the rooms to show us before we lug up our suitcases and she says someone is in our room already. She suggests we have lunch in her restaurant and her mother would be back in 1 hour to fix things. Well 2 hours later and we are still sitting in the restaurant and the mother has not shown up so the daughter finally says we cannot have the 2 rooms that we have booked for 2 nights even though they were reserved and they had our name on their chalk board for those rooms. She says she has called around and found us rooms elsewhere at Gasthof Zauner. We checked Rick's book and we found it in the book before we even agreed to go. We decided we liked it so much that we said we'd stay both nights there with Mr. Zauner because at the time the daughter didnt know if we'd be able to have our reserved rooms for the 2nd night of our reservations either. Mr. Zauner called them and told them we would not be back and then came up to dinner to tell us he had called and let them know we would not be back. Well the next day the daughter of Braugasthoff saw us and asked us if we were coming back for our 2nd night. Apparently when Mr. Zauner called and spoke to the mother (owner) she forgot (again) to tell her daughter. I suggest if you want to stay at this place DONT because even with guaranteed reservations you may end up NO room. We were very lucky, we were not prime season (end of Sept /07)so we could get alternative arrangements. It sounds like mother/owner is getting on in years (according to her daughter) and forgets to tell her things. ---I would never book with this hotel again for fear of them forgetting or losing my reservation -let alone having my reservation and just not honoring it -how sad is that? I would think twice about suggesting this hotel in your subsequent books.
Andrea Latendresse in Burlington, ON Canada 11/11/2007
Best: Hotel und Gasthof Dreibeiniger-Hund in Gorlitz
Why: Very friendly staff and beautiful with wonderful food, too. You do have to climb some stairs to the rooms. If you walk down the street toward the Nikolaiturm, there is a minimarket on the corner by the tower and the bus stop.
Jim Greene in Las Cruces, NM USA 11/08/2007
Best: Schweizer Pension, Vienna
Why: Our room were very clean, the location was great and the price was very good. The breakfast would have been better if it had varied a little but it was ok. I would stay there again. Also there is a grocery store directly across from it, something to note is that the store closes early (6-7 PM)and is closed on Sundays. I believe all the grocery stores are closed on Sundays.
Monica Petcovic in Snow Camp, NC USA 10/31/2007
Best: Hotel Hornburg
Why: Great location, friendly hosts, great breakfast, clean rooms, fun place to stay.
Worst: Pension Letties
Why: We had reserved a room with Pension Lettie several months ago for 10/26 and reconfirmed on 10/2 that we were all set. When we arrived, there was a sign posted that she was closed for renovation. We rang the doorbell, even had the tourist office try to reach her by phone but no luck. We found another place. We thought we might have an email from her once we arrived back home but there was nothing. Very disappointing experience.
Pat Dirschbeger in Phoenix, AZ USA 10/31/2007
Best: hotel Rosenvilla, Salzberg,, Hotel am Market, St Goar
Why: lovely rooms, wonderful staff-Salzberg, St Goar- minimal rooms- wonderful staff, incredible food, probably the best meal we had,
Sue Kerns USA 10/27/2007
Best: Pension Lettie, Bacharach
Why: We have stayed with Lettie on several occasions, on the Rhine, but just a one hour train ride to Frankfurt airport. At 5:00P the day before our departure, we heard the train would be on strike the next day. Lettie sent us to dinner while she worked the phone on our behalf. Once back from dinner she had lined us up to split a cab with a German businesswoman flying to Munich the next morning. Obviously not as cheap as the train, but we were at the airport and checked in for our flight at about the time the train would have gotten in. Lettie clearly went above and beyond on our behalf.
John Norton in Junction City, WI USA 10/23/2007
Best: Hotel Pension Chiemsee, Salzburg; Weingut Rademacher, Cochem
Why: At the Hotel Chiemsee we had a large, clean, remodeled room on a quiet street. Beware, there is no elevator. Rooms at the Weingut Rademacher are large and brand new. The hotel is at the base of the grape vine covered valley slope.
Worst: Hotel Keimel, Nuernberg
Why: Street noise!! The room was decent and the staff very friendly but we had a room on the street side over a weekend. The disco goers across the street keep at it until very late. Don't stay here unless you get a room like my mother did on the courtyard side. She slept peacefully all night.
Chris Kern in Houston, TX USA 10/19/2007
Best: Hotel Grodek, Krakow
Why: We used your recommended accommodations during our 3-week trip through Eastern Europe. As in previous trips, we were very pleased. Hotel Grodek was a splurge, but well worth it.
Worst: Schweizer Pension, Vienna
Why: Breakfast was very minimal with a fruit salad that became browner with each of our 4 mornings there. When we used an extra pillow from the cabinet to be more comfortable the second night, it was removed from the room the next day.
Robert and Janet Reiner in Sierra Vista, AZ USA 10/17/2007
Best: Hotel Gerberhaus, Rothenburg o.d. Tauber
Why: Superb hotel, great breakfast, super location.
John & Diane Hearing in Maple Valley, WA USA 10/15/2007
Best: Hotel Maximillian in Ehenbichl
Why: Wonderful people who own and run this hotel, great deal!
Troy in Vancouver, BC Canada 10/13/2007
Best: K + T Boarding House, Vienna
Why: It's right on Mariahilfer Strasse which is very near a U-Bahn station, right in the middle of the action of a shopping and dining area. Just be prepared that it's 3 "double flights" of stairs with no lift, so it can be a chore to take a lot of luggage up. It's probably the largest room that we've had in our trips, comfortable with only limited street noise. The hosts are very nice and accomodating. Cash only and a good value.
John & Susan in St Petersburg, FL USA 10/08/2007
Best: Hotel Gerberhaus, Rothenburg, Germany
Why: Best breakfast buffet, lovely staff, clean, comfortable rooms at a very reasonable price.
Worst: Hotel Monaco, Munich, Germany
Why: Noisy location, thin walls. Owner requires a FOUR WEEK notice for cancellation of reservations. Very overpriced in comparison to other hotels in the area. This is barely a two star hotel. For 10 Euro more per night you can stay at the Hotel Regent, located at the opposite corner of the Hauptbahnhof from Hotel Monaco's corner, and have a quiet, beautiful room.
Kris Barrett in San Francisco, CA USA 09/28/2007
Best: Hotel Schwarzwalder Hof in Freiburg, Pension Lettie in Bacharach, and Hotel Moseltor in Traben-Trarbach (Mosel Valley)
Why: Hotel Schwarzwalder Hof was an excellent place to stay. We had a room in the Guesthouse. The rooms were extremely clean and modern and the beds and pillows were very comfortable. It was the best sleep that I had had on my entire trip. They also serve an excellent breakfast. Pension Lettie is basic and simple. It is not a particularly charming place to stay, but you can't beat the price. Hotel Moseltor was not in the guidebook. I couldn't find a place to stay in Cochem because there was a wine festival going on. I actually liked Traben Trarbach more than Cochem. It was way less touristy. The hotel was very nice. Their website is at http://www.moseltor.de/
Worst: Hotel Rathausgloeckel in Baden-Baden
Why: Actually, this place really wasn't the worst. It actually was a very nice place and Mr. Rothe is extremely kind. The only problem that I had with this place was that they used some type of perfume on the linens I guess to hide odors. (I have also run into this at the Courtyard here in the US.) I personally cannot stand this perfume smell. Anything that touches the sheets ends up smelling of perfume.
Aimee in Anaheim, CA USA 09/26/2007
Best: Freiburg, Germany Hotel Barbara
Why: Upon arrival the receptionist George was exceptionally helpful to us in locating the Eurocar office so we could return our rental car. He loaned us a map, made sure we understood the directions and checked on us when we returned. My husband accidentally left two shirts behind when we checked out the next morning, and when we called them from our next destination they were not only willing to mail them to us, but went out of their way to do so.In addition the rooms and breakfast service were wonderful!
Cheryl & Bob in Vancouver, WA USA 09/25/2007
Best: Did not use recommended ones(We would like to recommend the Flair Post Hotel Nesselwang,Hauptstrasse 25 * 87484 Nesselwang * Telefon: 08361 / 30910
Why: We are retired military and utilized mostly those installations we were familar with. But the one night we stayed in a gastehause, we went on line and the closest to Fussen we could find was in Nesselwang, which is about 19 km above Fussen. This centuries old hotel is regionally famous as a Brauerei-Gasthof, known for its beer as much as it's rooms. But the decor is charming, rooms are large decoraed in period style and very comfortable and clean, modern bathroom w/tub and shower. Wonderful breakfast included and Db room for 65Euro. And the drive through the mountains and lakes was over a "scenic route" amd would be so rated in any state in the US, lower 40. The hotel has a webbsite and responds immediately with confirmations. The town has a train station and a ski resort, too.
John S Treadwell in McDonough, GA USA 09/22/2007
Best: Hotel Kloster-Stuble
Why: This hotel was recommended in the book and by the Euroaid office in Munich. The gentleman in Munich-which I forget his name- asked if we had the Rick Steve's book. He showed us the hotel. He had taken his wife there for her birthday and said it was a great place. He called and reserved a suite for us ( 1euro charge for the call). It was everything he and the book promised. Also, we had to leave early to make our flight out of Munich and the proprietor was kind enough to prepare beakfast early for us.
Jamie Galis in Southlake, TX USA 09/14/2007
Best: Hotel Astoria Berlin
Why: An excellent family run hotel conveniently located near the Zoo rail station. They went out of their way to maintain personal touches, including coffee at your door in the morning. Spotless accomodations and delicious breakfast. The staff were always interested in helping you with your day. Bravo
Kevin Mott in Edmonton, Ab Canada 08/27/2007
Best: Pension Winzerhaus, Bacharach
Why: good price, 10% discount with book, nice breakfast
Craig Walker in Beaverton, OR USA 08/19/2007
Best: Hotel am Hafen
Why: Great place. Great folks. Great location.
Alex Griffin in Danville, Ky USA 08/19/2007
Best: Pension Bloberger Hof Salzburg, Austria
Why: The staff at the Bloberger Hof was very friendly and helpful. This is a family-run pension and they like it small and guest-focused. The decor was so charming! The meals were the best we had on our 2-week trip. It is especially nice if you have a car, but a bus into the center of Salzburg is very close. Would not hesitate to return!!
Kathy Weeks in Portland, OR USA 08/15/2007
Best: Pension Peters in Berlin
Why: Pension Peters has expanded and it is as good as ever. The rooms are large, neat and clean. The Scanidinavian decor is appealing. The new breakfast room is on the first floor and is very spacious. The staff was very helpful and was very willing to answer all our questions. This is the second time we have stayed there and I would recommend it without reservation.
Gary Hoffman in Baldwin, WI USA 07/30/2007
Best:
Why: I am in Vienna now if there are anyone with questions let me know. It is raining, so I am hotel bound. Been here many times so don't mind. Also there was a major heat wave (Very Unusual) of 95+++F even reached 104F three days ago.
AB in Vienna, Austria 07/24/2007
Best: Gusthof Schluxen in Pinswang
Why: Nice room with a view of the mountains, helpful accomodating staff, fabulous breakfast. Hiking and biking trails leave right from the hotel. You can rent a bike at Schluxen and ride it over to the Neuschwanstein castle. Lovely country setting.
Worst: Schweizer Pension in Vienna
Why: My room was downgraded over what I had reserved and the reason I was given was an airline strike (not true). The toilet smelled horrible and the host was unwilling to address the issue. It was like a bad college dorm room. The hostess Anita was pleasant, but the man was fairly rude to us.
Kathleen Collins in Seattle, WA USA 07/23/2007
Worst: Schweizer Pension - Vienna
Why: Of all the accomodations, restaurants and tips we used from Rick's books (hundreds combined over a month long European trek), this was the only bad recommendation in all his books. When Rick says that "Anita runs a tight ship", he must mean "tight" like a prison warden means tight. In other words, sit down and don't speak. Certainly don't ask questions. We found the owners to be rude. We had two rooms and each smelled horribly from the toilets. While Americans do have a different sense of cleanliness, these were the least well kept of any of the rooms on our trip which included England, France, Germany, Austria & Italy. The building is run down and the lift was downright frightening. The only positive is that it is centrally located, close to St. Stephansplatz, metro, grocery store and many restaurants.
Matt Sears in Lafayette, CA USA 07/20/2007
Best: Guesthouse Annemarie, Prien, Germany
Why: Prien is a small town halfway between Munich and Salzburg. With a car, we used Annemarie's as a quiet location to take day trips to both cities. Great prices, excellent breakfasts (included), and our kids loved their farm animals-cows, horses, goats, dogs, and lots of barn cats.
B Werker in South Berwick, Me USA 07/20/2007
Best: Hotel Pension Corvinus, Vienna, Austria
Why: I would highly recommend this pension. The location is great in a very vibrant part of Vienna close to several subway stations, but also quite walkable to the city center. Our Hungarian host, Zoltan Esti, showed us to our very spacious room, helped us with questions about the area, stored our luggage when we checked out and even offered us coffee when we were leaving. We felt this was a good value and easy to find and access with public transportation.
Susie in Golden, CO USA 07/13/2007
Best: Hotel Rathausglockel
Why: Owner Michael Rothe was great. First, he honored my room request (I did not want room #2 as I had heard it was quite small). He was very accommodating about my request. Then, upon arrival he personally came out to greet us, help my husband with parking and pointed out the way to the spas. The food at the restaurant was FANTASTIC. They had some type of local mushrooms in that area that they were cooking with. I had the soup and it was honestly the best soup I have EVER eaten in my life. A friend had another dish prepared with the mushrooms and she too raved on it. Great experience.
Nancy Cox in Houston, TX USA 07/12/2007
Best: Suzann's in Fussen
Why: We have been visiting with Suzann and her family for the last nine years. She has always been warm and friendly. We visited with her this past May. We have always been made to feel like part of the family. She can be terse, but with the amount of visitors who grace her doorstep she does a really good job providing local information and assistance with planning for day trips. (Germanys pride themselves in being informative and exact). Would we expect anything else? We will always attempt to plan our yearly trips to Europe around visiting her and her family. We look forward to her warm smile and open arms.
Kirby in Nichols, TX USA 07/11/2007
Best: Hotel Maximilian near Reutte
Why: Hotel proprietor Gabi is quite helpful and friendly. Also, the view from our window of the medieval castle on the hill (lit up at night) was eerie and inspiring.
Karen Fremerman in Falls Church, VA USA 07/10/2007
Best:
Why:
Gary Fremerman in Falls Church, VA USA 07/10/2007
Best: Hotel Goldene Krone - Salzburg
Why: This hotel was great. It's located on a quiet street across the river the the Old Town but it was very quick to get to the Old Town by crossing a bridge. Also is was very close to bus transportation. The breakfast each morning was wonderful and our room was large and looked over the garden/patio at the back of the hotel. We even looked forward to hearing the church bells ring at night. I would highly recommend it as a hotel at a good price in a great location.
Jean in Carle Place, NY USA 07/10/2007
Best: Gerberhaus, Rothenberg
Why: Great and friendly hosts. The BEST breakfast in our whole 5 weeks in Europe. Everything was fresh and beautifully presented. The room were specious and nicely decorated. Easy internet access and great location, far enough from the center square to be quite, but still easy walking.
Nancy Miles in Winnetka, Ca USA 07/09/2007
Best: Pension Letie in Bacharach
Why: Best breakfast, most helpful (sold water, allowed use of internet, took time to just talk). Room was as advertised (though room had tv - didn't have to request). Location very good. Don't expect much from the town of Bacharach, but it was a very good base camp for doing the Rhine valley/castle thing.
howard sears in houston, tx USA 07/07/2007
Best: Rothenburg: Hotel Uhl, Reutte: Hotel Das Beck
Why: Hotel Uhl gets the best bedding award, also a convenient location, nice room and breakfast overall. Hotel Das Beck gets the best breakfast award, for the many varieties of rolls, homemade jam, fresh fruit, and soft-boiled eggs.
Worst: Pension Lindner
Why: Not that bad overall, but some problems. The bathroom was quite dingy/somewhat dirty. Our large windows looked right into the offices of many businesspeople. Some plusses -- breakfast was noteworthy due to availability of croissants and a tasty egg frittata. They also let us store our bags in the back of the cafe for a few hours. That was nice, but in her words "I won't be here when you pick them up, but probably someone else will."
Marianne Sullivan in Newark, DE USA 07/04/2007
Best: Haus Karin Weiss - Rothenburg
Why: This is not in the book, but it was recommended by others on this site. Clean, nice rooms, great bathroom, great breakfast. Karin speaks English. She will meet you a the train station. Outside of walls but easy 5 minute walk. www.haus-karin.de
Jane Fl USA 07/02/2007
Best: Pension Hohenrainer
Why: I want to affirm the several positive comments made about this place. Frau (Sieglinde) Hohenrainer could not have made us feel more welcome in this small hotel she runs with her husband Erwin. Our double room was large and immaculate for 24 Euros per person, including a good breakfast. Frau Hohenrainer also cooks very good meals at the restaurant (Schlosswirt), which is a short walk from the hotel. Free internet access. Those needing more amenities, such as a play area for children, should consider the Hotel Maximillian, but ended up extending our stay at Hohenrainer because it was such a good value in a great location (if you have a car).
Stephen Hoffmann in Upland, IN USA 06/28/2007
Worst: K & T Boarding House, Vienna
Why: Might be OK in the fall and winter...we booked 3 nights w/ bath, and were given a room without a bath, and were informed that our room was the only one without AC (in 90 degree weather). When I explained the next morning that we would be leaving for a different hotel with the amenities we requested, we had to debate with the owner for several minutes so as to not be charged for the other nights we had booked.
Laura in Seattle, WA USA 06/25/2007
Best: Hotel Munchner Kindl (Munich)
Why: This hotel is a gem! My husband and I arrived here very tired after a long flight to Dusseldorf directly followed by a train ride to Munich. Renate, the owner, greeted us by name and was very warm and welcoming. She gave us a quick overview of the city and recommended some places to eat that were better and less expensive than the tourist places.
The hotel is centrally located, about 10 minutes walking from the train station and two short blocks to the pedestrian zone. We could walk everywhere which saved us money on taxis.
The hotel itself is very clean and the room we had was big by European standards. It even had a small sitting area with a couch, table and chairs. The bathroom was one of the most spacious, clean and modern we had in our 20 day trip throughout Europe. My very tall husband also appreciated the larger shower.
There is a neighborhood bar below the hotel where you are served a very nice breakfast each morning. You are also welcome, of course, to get a drink there in the evenings if you wish.
Renate makes this hotel special. She recommends great places to eat, is very hospitable and goes out of her way to help you. Another thing we appreciated was her promptness in emailing us back before our trip.
I highly recommend this hotel for the rooms, bathrooms, cleanliness, location and the wonderful hostess, Renate. You won't be disappointed.
Worst: Hotel Goldene Krone (Salzburg)
Why: Before our arrival, I emailed this hotel two times asking for good walking directions from the train station and never received a response. When we arrived, we asked the information desk at the train station and discovered it was a good 20 minutes away. I was more annoyed, however, that they never bothered to write us back.
The breakfast was below average but not bad. It was a small selection but your typical Austrian food.
Our room was large but the bathroom was extremely small. The shower was so small it made me, at 5'3", feel claustrophobic. The worst part, however, was the smell of sewage coming out of the toilet. Gross!
LeAnne Loeffel in Sarasota, FL USA 06/21/2007
Best: Hotel Royal - Munich
Why: My wife and I spent 4 nights here (June 2007). The hotel is close to the train station, S-bahn, U-Bahn, and is non-smoking. Great breakfast, and we had a big sofa in our room for relaxing in evenings. We had a room on the street side but only the first night (a Friday) was a problem noise wise. We were not bothered by the "neighborhood" (strip joints), as the comings and goings were hardly noticeable.
Paul and Karen in El Sobrante , CA USA 06/19/2007
Best: Hotel Trumer Stube - Salzburg
Why: My wife and I spent 4 nights here (June 2007) and it was a delightful hotel, and we appreciated the non-smoking atmosphere. It is a bit of a walk from the train station with luggage, but there is frequent bus service. Silvia told us of concerts in the park, and other suggestions. We would stay here again.
Paul and Karen in El Sobrante , CA USA 06/19/2007
Best: Hotel Kloster-Stuble in Rothenburg
Why: Our family of 5 stayed at the Kloster-Stuble for two nights and I was very pleased, with only one exception. We booked two rooms, #4 & #5 on the first floor (2nd to us). Room #4 was a double and #5 was a quad, which we used as a triple. Both great rooms, beds very comfortable in both rooms. My only complaint with understanding: room #4 was EXTREMELY hot. Room #5 was not hot but pleasant - had great big windows overlooking the restaurant so you could hear (& be heard) by others but restaurant closes at 9PM so noise doesn't last. Room #4 had no cross veniliation, thus no air movement. Yes, I totally understand Europe and the A/C not like what we're used to, try to plan for it, etc., old buildings, etc., etc. However, this doesn't negate the fact that that room was uncomfortably hot and we were there last week, not in mid-August! There was a fan in the room but didn't help much. So many good points to this hotel: nice staff, excellent food in restaurant (pork chops!) excellent table wine, great breakfast/breakfast room, pleasant rooms w/pretty canopied beds, excellent location. Would definitely stay there again, just not the hot room.
Sandra Potter in Arlington, TX USA 06/16/2007
Best: Gasthaus zur Goldenen Ente
Why: This was the best accomodation in our 3 weeks in Europe! Wow, just exceptional. Our family of 5 (daughters, 17, 13, 10) stayed in the 4th floor suite. Just beautiful! Two bathrooms, a kitchen with refrigerator, an elevator!, separate bedroom for my husband and myself, canopied bed for the girls, very comfortable beds, comfortable fold out couch for my 10 year old. The breakfast room/manager (there were 2 women; one older, one younger, I'm speaking of the older one but I hate to say older to because I'm nearly her age!!) was a true delight. She was so incredibly nice and helpful, practically doted on us. A wonderful breakfast in great breakfast room, free internet right there. They went above and beyond for all our needs. When we visit Salzburg, we'll stay here again defintely. I hope the owner knows what he/she has with this woman on his staff!
Sandra Potter in Arlington, Te USA 06/14/2007
Best: Hotel Das Beck, Reutte Hotel Gute Quelle, Beilstein Hotel Kloster-Stuble
Why: All went out of their way to make us feel comfortable. Thank you Rick, you make travel a pleasure!
Linda Bell in Sewell, NJ USA 06/12/2007
Best: Gasthaus zur Goldenen Ente
Why: We LOVED this hotel! The location was convenient to all of the city's best sites. The room was clean, comfy, and quiet. Best of all, the staff was helpful, friendly, and genuinely interested in making our stay memorable! The front desk/breakfast attendant (a lady whose name I wish that I could remember, but unfortunately cannot) was so delightful! We would stay here again just because of her! Her kindness was overwhelming. On the day of our departure, it was unusally rainy and VERY cold! She offered me the coat off of her back to wear for the day (since I had foolishly decided to leave my coat at home in Texas). How many people would offer their coat to a stranger from another country? Her kindness will always be remembered by my husband and I. Please, if your trip includes a stay in Salzurg, consider staying at the Gasthaus zur Goldenen Ente! You will not regret it!
Karen Ramirez in San Antonio, TX USA 06/09/2007
Best: Pension Hohenrainer, Reutte
Why: Pension Hohenrainer is run by a very nice older couple. Big rooms with wonderful views: snow mountains, castle ruins, Tirolean village. Clean, good beds, tasty breakfast. Free parking. (Car was really helpful.) Unbeatable for its price/quality (we paid 24 euros per person whether for double or for single), but be ready - bring your soap and shampoo. Good hiking. Fresh air. Same couple keeps restaurant. Mrs. Hohenrainer is a good cook and we enjoyed delicious tirolean home cooked dinners. Owners speak English.
Elena USA 06/09/2007
Best: Hotel Kloster-Stuble
Why: Newly rennovated/added non smoking wing. Small but quiet and beautiful bathroom tiles and fixtures.
Rachel Tagge in Burke, VA USA 06/06/2007
Best: Hotel Gerberhaus, Rothenburg o d Tauber
Why: Our room was immaculate and it had a great view of the little garden where we enjoyed a great meal and nice glass of wine and beer. The staff was friendly and the breakfast! Their "great breakfast buffet" was truly that. It's hard to imagine how they present such a great variety of sumptious food in such a small space. A great place to sleep in a great place to visit.
Les & Pat in Horseshoe Bay, TX USA 06/04/2007
Best: Hotel Wolf Dietrich, Salzburg Austria
Why: Clean Quiet Room, Great View, good value. Friendly efficient Staff
Worst: Hotel Uhland, Munich Germany
Why: The Hotel Uhland was OK but was far from everything. The room was OK but the carpet and furniture looked like vintage 1950s. The breakfast was OK but did not include some of the items that we found at all of the other hotels we visited.
Service was indifferent and mediocre at best. For example I had two shirts that I asked to be laundered. The two shirts came back washed but not pressed. Another example was the night before we left we checked with the desk to see whether we should checkout then since we were catching an early flight the next day. They told us not to worry that there was someone on duty 24 hours a day. However when we went to check out the person checking us out complained that we had woken him up and that we should have checked out the night before.
Overall the Hotel was a disappointment.
Gary R. Smith in Moorpark, CA USA 06/03/2007
Best: Haus Ballwein in Salzburg
Why: Frau Ballwein is very nice. Also they have great views of the Alps. It is cheaper than staying in town, and the bus is easy to catch, since it stops right outside the hotel. They also didn't charge us extra for an extra bed for our 2 year old, and a baby bed for our newborn! Great service!
Karoline Neill in Elkton, SD USA 05/30/2007
Best: Hotel Uhl- Rothenburg and Pension Lettie in Bacharach
Why: Lettie was awesome! She gave some great suggestions during our trip! Also Hotel Uhl was great too...great accomidations!
Worst: Pension Nossek - Vienna
Why: The place was nice and a great location...but one of the owners was not very friendly. She made the whole atmosphere of the place really negative and it was very uncomfortable to approach her. Also, the breakfast there wasn't as good as other places. The worst coffee ever...and they charge for Orange Juice???!!!
Taj in Sarasota, FL USA 05/29/2007
Best: Gasthof Lenz, Hallstatt Austria
Why: Nice clean family room with separate kids and parents rooms (though somewhat small) 70euros May 2007. Helga is very nice. The house is a good 10-15 minute walk uphill from the parking lot, but the unobstructed view from the room is amazing. Try a pleasant late evening walk through town when most of the other tourists have left.
Steve in Boise, Id USA 05/29/2007
Best: Gutshof Schluxen, Pinswang Austria
Why: Very nice clean & spacious family room (second floor corner room)has a separate kids room with bunk 104 euros May 2007. Kids love animals and playground with trampoline. Beautiful easy 3 mile walk through 1 lane forest road over border to Ludwigs castles. Other very nice hikes in the area. Best family spot on 2 week Austria trip.
Steve in Boise, Id USA 05/29/2007
Best: Hotel Kurcafe
Why: Wonderful room in Fussen with great views and good prices. The hotel's restaurant was one of the best on our trip.
Debra Dennis in Raymond, WA USA 05/27/2007
Worst: Hotel Schweizerhof
Why: Over priced, very rude staff. At one point we were locked out because the person at the front desk was sleeping, he did not apolagize but got angry with us for interrupting him. He was also rude and unhelpful several other times.
Rachel Vowels in Spokane, WA USA 05/16/2007
Best: Hotel Zur Post Melk
Why: The hotel was located two blocks from Melk Abbey the rooms were excellent and their restaurant and wine selection were great,also close to the Danube boat docks
Mike dela Pena in Shingle Springs, Ca USA 05/15/2007
Best: Hotel Mark - Munich
Why: For 78Euros a night including breakfast, we always stay at the Mark Hotel. It is only about 5 minutes from the main train station. The breakfast is very good, including scrambled and hot boiled eggs, along with usual ohe continental breakfast items.
The rooms are clean and although the building is older, everything was fine and functioned as needed.
Steve in Richmond, VA USA 04/24/2007
Best: Castle Liebenstein
Why: Awesome hotel in an old castle. Looks like ruins high above the Rhine on the outside, completely modern hotel rooms. Great hot water and shower. Great castle like furniture, awesome views and excellent dinner. The nice gentleman that checks you in and serves you a dinner is also the village baker; the desserts are worth the indulgence.
Pat in Vinkenes, VA USA 04/23/2007
Best: Hotel Kranenturm, Bachrach, Germany
Why: Wonderful atmosphere, great views, compfortable beds. You don't hear the trains. Even with somewhat unreliable hot water, we would stay here again in a heartbeat. Tip: if you want to eat dinner in the restaurant make sure you make a reservation when you check in or you won't get in.
Pat in Vinkenes, VA USA 04/23/2007
Best: Hotel Garni Struber, Salzburg
Why: Great location, excellent, helpful staff, free internet, great breakfast, clean and extremely comfortable room (CNN!), quiet with a beautiful view! Would definitely stay here again.
Tricia Phillips in Windermere, FL USA 04/17/2007
Best: Hotel Am Markt in St. Goar, Karin Weiss B&B in Rothenberg, and Hotel Uhland in Munich
Why: Great locations, breakfasts, and helpful owners/staff. Karin Weiss' B&B was especially a great deal at 23 Euro per person. This included free pickup and drop off at the train station -- as well as free bottled water/beer.
Russ and Mandy in San Diego, CA USA 04/15/2007
Best: Hotel Monaco Munich
Why: very friendly & charming, great deal also good: Pension Suzanne (Vienna), Hotel Berglund, Salzburg
janet Archibald in San Francisco, CA USA 04/08/2007
Best: Hotel Maximilian in Reutte, Austria.
Why: The Koch family (the owners) make you feel right at home, they go out of their way to make you feel welcome. Gabi is the best when it comes to helping the guests, with her knowledge, experience and beautiful personality. She was born to be in the tourist industry. We will stay there every time we're in the area and commend others to do the same. Those unhappy from Suzanne's B&B at Fussen need to come to The Maximilian and reverse their bad experience.
Rigo in El Paso, tx USA 04/03/2007
Best: Peters Pension
Why: What perfect place to start the day. CHRISTOPHER was the best host. The most helpful person on my trip from U.S. to London, Germany (Leipzig, Dresden and Berlin) and back. Highly reccommended!!
Bill in Buena Park, CA USA 03/31/2007
Best: Hotel Hornburg, Rothenburg
Why: Property is beautiful, location is fantastic, owners are super-nice, room was great, breakast superb. We LOVED this hotel!!!
Debra Livak in Boise, ID USA 03/30/2007
Best: Paul & Roos Gheeraert-Vandevelde
Why: We stayed at this great B&B for 5 nights and it was fantastic. The breakfast was always wonderful and the room was huge, bright and clean. One of the great things was that they provided an electical converter in the room (the one I bought didn't work). Both Roos and Paul were friendly, attentive and happy to help out with suggestions. The location was excellent and on a quiet residential street. There is nothing bad to say about this B&B and we will stay here again when we visit Bruges again!
Julee in Seattle, WA USA 03/23/2007
Best: Munich-Rothenburg-Frankfurt
Why: First off, I have to say that every hotel I reserved for our trip to the 2006 World Cup, I did so under this books advice and was more than pleasantly suprised!! Rick knows his stuff...
Hotel Blauer Bock -- Munich Nothing fancy, but absolutely amazing location for the money! Literally across the street from the Viktualienmarkt, this hotel is near the Marienplatz and S-Bahn/U-Bahn stops. Simple and quaint. It was a prime spot for our World Cup stay... never a dull moment nearby!
Hotel Kloster-Stueble -- Rothenburg ob der Tauber Absolutely everything Rick described! Quiet, serene, extremely friendly, could have stayed another night! You MUST try their own restaurant for dinner as well... the white asparagus was exquisite!
Hotel Maingau -- Frankfurt In the Apple Wine district and within a brief walk of the lovely Main river and Museum District, this hotel was a very nice final resting spot prior to our departure home. The restaurant is magnificent (be prepared to spend)... well worth the Euros!
Eric Eiss in Rockford, IL USA 03/19/2007
Best: Adlon Kempinski in Berlin
Why: Over the top service with smiles.
Beth Halle in New York, NY USA 02/04/2007
Worst: Suzanne's B&B in Fussen, Germany
Why: My husband and I stayed there with our daughter and her husband. We had two rooms. Suzanne was extremely rude to all of us the whole time we were there. She is not a very happy person. She also went into a rage when I asked for a receipt when I paid for the rooms. She needs to get out of the business. My husband and I have used Rick's books for many years and have never had such a terrible experience.
Trudy in Keizer, Or USA 02/03/2007
Best: Hotel Palmengarten. Dinkelsbuhl and Hotel Beeg, Baden-Baden
Why: Both hotels provided a high level of service and caring. The owner of Hotel Palmengarten. personally drove us to the bus stop to save us the taxi fare. Hotel Beeg was very accomodating. I was looking for a specific item and they searched catelogs for me and provided detailed instructions on check-in. They were great!
Lorene Boyes in Lindenhurst, IL USA 01/13/2007
Best: Hotel Uhland/Munich Pension Funk/Berlin, Hotel Alleeehaus/Freiburg
Why: We have stayed at Hotle Uhland in Munich ten times. The rates are great, the service is great and the location in great. In Berlin Pension Funk is fine. We have styed there five times. The rooms vary to ask for details to make certain you get what you want. Freiburg is a perfect place to recover from jet lag. It is about two hours from the Frankfurt airport. It is very quiet and has some very large and comfortable rooms. Yet it is located justa short walk from old town. So it is perfect for those afternnon nops that are required the first fe days until you recover from jet lag.
Stan Biles in Blue River, or USA 01/03/2007
Best: Pension Peters -Berlin
Why: They are as warm and wonderful as the first time I stayed there 7 years ago. They are undergoing significant renovations now that they occuppy nearly the whole building. The reception and breakfast room are now on the ground floor.
Linda Gillard in Bend, OR USA 12/31/2006
Best: Hotel Kloster Stueble in Rothenburg o.d.T, and Hotel Kurcafe in Fussen
Why: We just returned from a Christmas Market trip to Germany! Both of these hotels were wonderful. The rooms were excellent - very clean, very comfortable beds. You can't beat the locations of both - they were both close to the heart of the action, but quiet and peaceful at the same time.
In Rothenburg, The Kloster Stueble was gorgeous - what a great room, and bathroom! Both honored our requests for room types, which we had viewed on the internet. At Kurcafe in Fussen, we had a balcony overlooking the town's castle with the Alps in the background!
We did not eat dinner at the Kloster Stueble, but did at the Kurcafe, and the food was wonderful - especially the special Christmas dessert with ginger ice cream! The staff at both locations were superb - and you were right, Erika at the Kloster Stueble runs the place - she does it all, and with a huge smile and great sense of humor. The pastries at the Kurcafe are to die for.
The KS in Rothenburg is just a short walk from the main square, but everything is within easy walking distance. Walking the wall was a great experience - and yes, you were right - it's okay for those under 6 feet, but my 6'3" husband had to stoop a little, but loved it nonetheless.
In Fussen, the Kurcafe is located close to everything, including the train station, which is where you get the bus to the castles. We enjoyed exploring that little town, and there were not many tourists around, so we got a feel for small-town Bavarian life preparing for Christmas.
Lori Baker in Dumfries, Vi USA 12/27/2006
Best: Karin and Hans Weiss: Rothenburg
Why: After seeing raves about this comfy, friendly and economical b&b on this board, I contacted Karin when we went to Rothenburg for its Christmas market. Our room was attractive, clean and comfortable with a sitting area as well as a king-sized bed. It was sunny and bright, but the window blinds darkened it enough to let us sleep quite late--good thing hostess Karin is flexible about breakfast! Besides a great breakfast spread: delicious German breads, cold meats and cheeses, and warm sausages, yogurt, cake, juices, coffee and tea, Karin keeps a refrigerator of bottled water and beer as well as 24 hour coffee and tea for guests. She will meet you at the train station and return you there at the end of your stay. There is also parking by the house. Karin is a wonderful, gracious hostess who makes you feel truly welcome; she keeps a collection of guidebooks in different languages for guest use as well as being prepared with her own stock of recommendations for restaurants (the one we tried on her recommendation: the AlteFrankische Weinstube-was outstanding--delicious, large portions, economical prices, and great ambience) and attractions such as the Nightwatchman tour. Her house is just outside the city walls, an easy 5-10 minute walk to the market square and almost anything else you might want to see in this beautiful, romantic medieval town. You won't be disappointed in Karin and her Haus Weiss B&B; we surely weren't!
Donna Williams in Duncanville, Te USA 12/12/2006
Worst: Hotel Tanneck, Baden-Baden, Germany
Why: I do NOT recommend this hotel. They are very unreasonable! From their e-mail "The cancellation is possible without any charge up to 4 weeks before arrival, later than that, you have to replace the loss with 80 % of the room rate, if the room stays unoccupied." My wife became ill and was in the hospital. I called 10 days early and was told it was my problem. They then charged me the full rate for the room. In a second call I was told it was their right under German law! We had a great month in Europe, but this hotel sucks.
Charles Palmer in Bremerton, wa USA 12/11/2006
Best: We enjoyed:
Why: Hotel Gerberhaus in Rothenburg. Wonderful 2 bedroom apartment, quiet, great parking, excellent location, sunny gardens. Best breakfast. Hotel Weisses Kreuz for being a family-friendly place that impressed by Munich-native friends and their twins. Great location, excellent dinner spot.
Worst: Well, one thing bugged me...
Why: Feeding the animals at Gutshof zum Schluxen: very oversold. Sad those huge powerlines plow across the view, too. Other than these small gripes, the room and food were great and the kids loved all the equipment to play on.
Bonnie Seto in San Rafael, CA USA 11/29/2006
Best: Hotel Royal--Munich
Why: We really enjoyed the proximity of the Hotel to the things we wanted to see in our 3 days in Munich. The breakfast provided was more than adequate. And the strip joints which you warned about were very low key, not like anything in New York, for examply. The only problem was that Germany was having a heat wave this summer, and without air-conditioning, it was rather sticky, even at night. But us Americans are rather spoiled.
Roger Streu in Springfield, IL USA 11/20/2006
Worst: Pension Lettie
Why: Pension Lettie left us disappointed, despite all the glowing recommendations from Rick & others. The toilet sprayed the whole bathroom every time you used it - that can't be hygienic. Half the room lights didn't work. The only time we were greeted warmly is when she thought we were a different family. The breakfast wasn't good -- all I'll say is that waffles and eggs require a light touch. Maybe we just caught her on an off week - she seems like a nice (but overworked) lady - but this was the worst of the 10 accommodations we had on a monthlong trip to Europe.
Ginny Reilly in Tucson, AZ USA 11/12/2006
Best: Pension Elke in Rothenburg and Das Beck in Reutte.
Why: We got to Pension Elke after a long day of travel and were greeted with a welcoming reception by Klaus and Erich. Our room was small but clean and quite peaceful. We felt comfortable there and Klaus and Erich were very accomodating.
The service at Das Beck was also friendly. Our room was spacious, clean, and quiet, with a balcony overlooking grazing sheep and a mountain in the distance. The balcony off the restaurant was great for sipping a drink and watching the world go by.
Kathy and Jim in Oakdale, MN USA 11/11/2006
Best: Altstadt Hotel Wolf Dietrich (Salzburg)
Why: Very clean, very family friendly, hdtv with selection of free dvds and Sound of Music running 24 hours a day, great location, delicious organic breakfast, amazing pool and spa. Not the cheapest but fantastic value for the money -- worth the splurge. Also, when our son came down with a bug, they allowed us a late checkout without any fuss.
John Bologna in Greenwich, CT USA 11/07/2006
Best: Hotel Pension Alexandra
Why: Neighborhood very nice. Safe to walk home late at night alone. Room very adequate and clean. Breakfast a feast. Elevator! Creaky, but works. Thoughtful hostess.
Anne McRae in Dusseldorf, Germany 11/03/2006
Best: Hotel Cafe Uhl - Rothenburg, Germany
Why: The hosts were wonderful. We had a group of 4 and they accomodated us in a small apartment with a small kitchen area. It was very clean, large, and newly remodeled. Breakfast was great.
Anne McRae in Dusseldorf, Germany 11/03/2006
Best: Altstadthotel Wolf-Dietrich, Salzburg, Austria
Why: Great service, beautiful room, lovely breakfast.
Olivia in Folsom, CA USA 11/02/2006
Best: Pension Elke in Rothenburg ob der Tauber
Why: Very clean, very spacious and the owner, Klaus, was a great guy. I felt like I was in the home of a friend. It was a little hard to find, though. We didn't notice that it was upstairs from Klaus' grocery store and the entrance is around the side. Your book mentions this but we overlooked it.
Karen Landon in Orlando, FL USA 10/31/2006
Best: Pension Elke
Why: Great location, owners moved their van so we could park. Super clean with nice breakfast right out of our room door. Owner Eric is a great guy.
Jane in Coppell, TX USA 10/29/2006
Best: Uhland, Hornburg, Maximillian
Why: Super location, high quality accomodation, friendly folks
Worst: Hotel Kranmenturm/Allee Haus
Why: Got stuck in the "honeymoon suite" the first of three nights...six flights of narrow stairs to a smallish attic "getaway". Allee Haus(Freiburg)--Good location and parking, but grossly overpriced for a comparatively spartan room
Steve Walker in Kamuela, Hi USA 10/29/2006
Best: there were many
Why: Pension Lettie in Bacharach,Hotel Muller in Koln,Gasthaus Raidel in Rothenburg Haus Reichl in Salzburg and Hotel Atlanta in Munich.All provided comfort,value and friendlyness.
jack in Sheboygan, Wi USA 10/27/2006
Best: Romantic Pensionne in Hohenshwangau
Why: Arguably the most romantic view in the world. We had the third floor room with balcony for only 60 Euro per night. From your private balcony Neuschwanstein is so close you might believe you can reach out and touch it. We have wonderful pictures of Neuschwanstein looking splendid in the Summer sunshine, mystic in the morning mist, and lit up at night like a pearl suspended in the blackness. Just gorgeous!
Super breakfasts (all the usual, plus fresh yogurt, lovely eggs and honey cake). I thought Frau Strauss was efficient and a shy about her adequate English, but my husband read this as a little aloof or unfriendly. Met lots of other "Rick-philes" at breakfast. We would still highly recommend staying here.
Not Rick recommended -- Hotel Pension Centrale in Munchen is only 200 yards from the Central Station and 15 minutes walk from Marienplatz. Good, clean room and tasty breakfast. A bit noisy on the street side when temperatures necessitated keeping the window open all night. Also, if you get up any later than about 7am there will be no more hot water for a shower. Basically ok, cheap and cheerful. http://www.munich-info.de/hotels/hotel-pension-central/welcome_en.html
Judy & Mark Anthony in Dallas, TX USA 10/21/2006
Best: Trude Poppenburger
Why: We only stayed a couple of nights in Salzburg but in that time Trude was like a favourite Aunty. Trude and Heinz were very helpful and we loved her apple & chocolate cake (for breakfast -- Bill Cosby would be proud!). For only 40.00 euro per night for a couple, she insisted on sending us out for the day with sandwiches, and got up at 5am the last day to ensure we had breakfast (more cake). So sorry to hear she will be retiring next year.
Judy & Mark Anthony in Dallas, TX USA 10/21/2006
Best: hotel uhland
Why: clean,great breakfast and 10 min walk to train station and 20 min walk to marienplatz
sbraggins in tampa, fl USA 10/17/2006
Best: Hotel Blobergerhof in Salzburg Austria and Hotel Maximillian in Reutte
Why: Immaculate, food was delicous. Service was friendly and the location was ideal. It was a definite 10!!! We also really enjoyed Hotel Maximillian. I would also add this one to the best list. The location was amazing there too and the hotel staff wonderful. The food excellent. We have nothing but good things to say about both places.
Melissa in Sartell, MN USA 10/16/2006
Best: Hotel Gondene Krone, Salzburg
Why: Very good value even without the 10 percent discount, excellent location, helpful owners and staff.
David Lermond in Wilmington, DE USA 10/15/2006
Best: Pension Suzanne in Vienna
Why: Great location - almost across the street from the Opera. Walking distance to many important sights - easy Metro to the rest. We were given the apartment with a lovely sitting room at same price as two separate bedrooms. Very friendly and helpful owners.
Worst: Gastof Simony, Hallstatt
Why: The place is rather a firetrap, the rooms were dirty, and very smoky. We finally realized that is was because one of the wastebaskets had not been emptied - it was full of ashes. The other bedroom had a dirty, smelly bathmat.But - the breakfast was fantastic !
Bob and Janet James in Smiths Falls, ON Canada 10/11/2006
Worst: Suzanne's B&B in Fussen
Why: The guidebook says brusque, but it should really state RUDE for no reason. From our first moment in the door, we felt like we were a bother to her. If she doesn't like having a B&B, then don't! The breakfast was nothing to be excited about, no fresh eggs, and it came with being yelled at if you didn't pour your coffee correctly. She was the rudest person I met on my entire 2 week trip! I would not stay here again and would discourage anyone from doing the same.
Heide USA 10/02/2006
Best: Suzanne's B & B
Why: We loved the look of the place. The rooms are very clean and quiet. Suzanne was the friendliest host on our 3-week trip to Europe. The other guests also said she was very charming. We're very glad we stayed there. Very handy location and she did always have excellent travel tips.
Alex Harris in Walnut Creek, CA USA 09/28/2006
Worst: Hotel Atlanta -Munich
Why: Granted, we came into Munich the day Oktoberfest started and could only find a room at this hotel. The location is great but the hotel is a 1 1/2 star at best, the bathroom smelled and had tiles cracked and missing, the ventilation was non-existent so the room has a small oscillating fan, the halls, stairs and rooms are in disrepair and, worst of all, we paid 180 Euro per night! We saw a price list which showed lesser rates so we feel that we were taken advantage of even though rooms are hard to find during Oktoberfest.
Rick in La Jolla, CA USA 09/28/2006
Worst: Goldene Krone
Why: Noisy.... hot... Church bells not 100 meters from the hotel were very loud and rung on the quarter hour, half and full hour. We were there in late July... very hot. Don't believe the literature... this is not a quiet hotel!
Bary Kauffman in Stevenson Ranch, CA USA 09/26/2006
Best: Hotel Gerberhaus, Rothenburg
Why: Price good, Fruestuck best of all; free Internet. Deborah (Manager's daughter) very helpful.
Worst: None
Why: Descriptions accurate.
Walt Keller in Malibu, CA USA 09/25/2006
Best: Pension Lettie, Bacharach
Why: As good as advertised. Lettie is a sweetheart of a hostess. There's something about traveling 7000 miles from home and feeling like you're still 'home.'
Worst: Hotel Pankow, Berlin - but only due to location
Why: We were fine with staying at the Pankow - nice place, nice room, nice continental breakfast, nice hosts - but it's far enough away from the action in Berlin that you need to plan your travels a little more carefully than if you're "in town." The World Cup required us to book away from the core; when we visit Berlin again we'd stay at Pension Peters instead.
Craig Dandurand in Sacramento, CA USA 09/09/2006
Best: Haus Karin from your readers recommendations
Why: Frau Weiss was worried when our arrived late. She made dinner reservations for us. She is in walking distance of the old town center. She has a great breakfast. Best deal we got in Europe.
Jeff Kane in North Tustin, CA USA 09/06/2006
Best: Suzanne's B&B in Fussen
Why: Such a beautiful location and a lovely garden. Our son liked seeing their chickens. We stayed in the "garden house". It was a unique experience in a good way.
Maxine Weber in Merion Station, PA USA 09/04/2006
Best: Cafe Uhl, Rothenburg
Why: Very good value. Ask for a room facing the Tauber valley - beautiful views. Their restaurant and bakery also serves up good food - lots of locals eating and buying stuff from the bakery.
Ian in Minneapolis, Mn USA 09/03/2006
Best: Pension Sarstein, Hallstatt, Austria
Why: The guidebook said that this place was a little ancient and dusty, but they must have just remodeled because it was absolutely fantastic. Everything was brand new, beautiful and immaculate. The owners made us feel so welcome, and the breakfast was wonderful. We even had a private balcony that overlooked the garden and lake. By far the nicest place we stayed during our 4 weeks in Europe, AND one of the most affordable! (we're students on a budget)
Worst: Trude's Zimmer, Salzburg, Austria
Why: I am sure that Trude's accomodations are lovely, but her business practices are questionable. We were promised a room that she did not have, and were then farmed out to a friend's zimmer... which was less than charming (dirty, and some clothes went missing, only to mysteriously resurface when we asked about them). While at Trude's house, we met a lovely couple from India who had reserved months in advance, and the same thing was happening to them -- they were being shipped off to a different friend. We trust Rick's recommendations, and would have preferred honesty so that we could find alternate lodging on our own. It made for great stories though!
Lindsey in Portland, OR USA 09/02/2006
Best: Hotel Victoria in Nuremberg
Why: This hotel was a great value for the money--clean, modern and a GREAT breakfast buffet. Also, the location was ideal.
Linda Glaze in San Diego, CA USA 08/31/2006
Worst: Hotel Pankow-Berlin
Why: We had reserved a four bed room with private bath and water closet 5 months in advance. When we finally found where to park our car, we were escorted to a four bed room with no bath. When we questioned the clerk we were told the room would not be available until the next day. When I asked the clerk why she gave our room away when we had confirmed the week before, she claimed she didn't give our room away and all of a sudden had trouble speaking english. She told us she would be able to put us in two double rooms but it would cost much more. We left and found other accomodations on the western side of town. The neighborhoods in some of the old Eastern section still do not feel safe to park your rental car and who needs the lies from a hotel clerk while on vacation?
Julie Kluth in Poway, CA USA 08/28/2006
Best: Haus Karin in Rothenburg OBT, Germany
Why: Karin is charming--her home is immaculate, the room was large with two big windows. She has a refrigerator stocked with unlimited water and, if desired, beer. She talked with us both days as we ate our breakfast and answered our questions, also loaned us a guide book for Rothenburg. Karin is a short 5 minute walk from the city wall, good location. Fresh fruit, eggs, cheese, meat, assorted breads for breakfast--as much as you can eat. We felt like family in her home. Free parking. Only 23E per person, the bargain of our three-week vacation.
Cindy Johnson in La Habra, CA USA 08/24/2006
Best: Hotel das Beck in Reutte, Austria
Why: Best room we had in Europe, friendly staff, great breakfast buffet
Kent Hunt in St. George, UT USA 08/23/2006
Best: Gasthof (Hotel Restaurant) Kloster-Stueble, Rothenburg ob der Tauber
Why: Everyone of the staff is friendly, helpful, and gracious. The rooms are well decorated and comfortable. The service and food in the restaurant are first rate. The hotel bills itself as romantic and the setting is exactly that. You are only a few steps away from some views of breathtaking beauty. They truly provide an experience that will leave you with memories that will last your lifetime.
Worst: Hotel Moserhof, Reutte, Austria
Why: The staff were nearly all condescending and brusk. A man who appeared to be the owner was friendly at times, but he was the only one. The night we arrived a musician was entertaining the restaurant crowd by singing and accompanying himself on an electronic keyboard. We asked to eat out on the patio so that we could hear ourselves talk. We were abandoned by our waitress shortly after our main course was delivered and waited over an hour and a half just so we could get our check. The musician played until nearly midnight and the music was nearly as loud in our room as it had been in the restaurant. We gave up a reservation at the Altstadthotel Zum Hechten in Fuessen in favor of this place based on Rick's recommendation . He states that Fuessen is "too busy" to be enjoyable, but that was not our impression when we went into Fuessen to eat. I especially feel bad about our choice now that I've read other people's experiences with the zum Hechten. The owner had sent me a nice e-mail and I'm kicking myself that I didn't go with my gut and keep that reservation rather than being swayed by Rick's comments.
Steve Huyck in Flossmoor, IL USA 08/09/2006
Best: Bergland Hotel in Salzburg & Braugasthof Hallstatt in Hallstatt
Why: Our room for 4 in the Bergland Hotel was spacious, airy, clean, and lovely. The location was a quieter neighborhood only a block off the upper end of Linzergasse, but quite a walk from the train station. If the day is hot and sticky, I recommend a taxi (expecially for middle-aged flubba-wubbas like me). Now that I know where it is, I would stay there again. The Braugasthof Hallstatt was over-the-top beautiful. What a view! What a creaky, old place! Absolutely delightful.
Worst: None in particular, but see below
Why: July was the only time our family could travel. It wouldn't have been my choice otherwise, and sure enough Vienna was hot and very humid with no air conditioning. I don't want to whine, but if you're going to travel in July, you just have to know that it will be hot and sticky. If the climate continues to warm, I wonder what Europeans will do.
Donna Yargosz in Las Cruces, NM USA 08/09/2006
Best: Pension Lettie, Bacharach
Why: She is so sweet! Great b'fast. She showed us photos of her home in Vegas. She's very friendly and it meant so much to her when we gave her a magnet from our hometown.
Worst: Alstadthotel Hecht
Why: Not a bad place, just larger and not as quaint as other places we stayed. That doesn't mean I wouldn't recommend it because I would, but I'd prefer something smaller.
Shannon Hammond in Hoover, Al USA 08/08/2006
Best: Hotel Lohspeicher-Cochem,Germany
Why: This hotel was the best hotel of our trip! The owners were very friendly and helpful-not to mention gourmet chefs who even managed to make a special meal for our very picky eating children. They met us at the hotel after hours without a reservation and even gave us a extra hotel room at no charge!! Coming off of a very bad hotel experience in Zell (Hell), they saved our vacation and went out of their way to make us feel comfortable. The rooms were clean, large and very beautiful. I would recommend this hotel to anyone and everyone! R. Metz-Hamilton, New Jersey
Worst: Peter Weis Apartments/Winery-Zell, Germany
Why: My family and I stayed at this hotel which was highly recommended in the Rick Steve's Germany & Austria Guidebook 2006. We are seasoned travelers who go to great lengths to avoid being "ugly Americans". From the moment of arrival, this place was an absolute nightmare! The owners were too busy to greet us or show us our room (or even talk to us) upon check-in. The lock to the room was broken, the beds didn't have sheets on them and Peter Weis never missed an opportunity to make Anti-American comments to us-like "the last Americans who stayed here stole the hotel key, that is why the door would't lock". Although they promised us a tour of their winery (one of the main reasons we stayed at their place)-they were too busy to take us on a tour and said they would "fit us in" with the Swedish tour at 4:15 PM on the day we arrived(the only problem was that the tour started at 3:45 PM and when we arrived it was already well in progess). When they finally brought us bed sheets, they handed them to us for us to make the beds. We fled this hotel without even staying the night. BEWARE!! STAY AWAY FROM THIS HOTEL. R. Metz -Hamilton, NJ
Richard Metz in Hamilton, NJ USA 08/08/2006
Best: Pension Lettie in Bacharach
Why: We loved Bacharach and we loved Lettie. It was the best, most friendly place we stayed the whole time, even though it was inhabited entirely by other American Rick Steves devotees. That was actually part of the fun -- made for evenings that were much more fun than they might have been in this sleepy town.
Jennifer Henry in Dallas, TX USA 08/07/2006
Best: Hotel Gerberhaus, Rothenberg o.d.T.
Why: Friendly staff, expecially Inge Hubl and her daughter Debra. The garden in back below the town wall was a lovely oasis, and the breakfast spread was excellent and consistently refilled.
Worst: Hotel Victoria, Frankfurt
Why: There was nothing wrong with the hotel, and with the heat in July, the air conditioning, weak though it was, felt great. The problem was the neighborhood. Unless you looking for a site 1 block from the red light district, and the people it attracts at night, you should avoid this location.
Kent McLaughlin in Glenview, IL USA 07/30/2006
Best: Hotel Muenchner-Kindl
Why: The staff was friendly and accomodating, the room for our party of four was large and had two bathrooms (one with toilet and sink, the other with shower and sink), the location is great, and breakfast was very good. The only drawback is the lack of A/C. Our room was on the top floor, and though we had an electric fan (what the staff called a "ventilator") and the windows wide open, the room was always warm. Munich was having a heat spell during our stay; I imagine the lack of A/C isn't a problem most of the year.
Marsha Moseley in Ashburn, VA USA 07/27/2006
Best: Several for various reasons below
Why: Romischer Kaiser, Trier-best bathroom Hotel am Markt, St Goar- best breakfast brotchens Uhl, Rothenberg-the helpful young man who carried our suitcases up 4 flights.
Worst: None
Why: Could have used some air-conditioning everywhere this year but that's the trade-off for saving all those great old buildings.
Barbara and Werner Kraft in Gig Harbor, WA USA 07/25/2006
Best: Pension Kurz - St. Goar am Rhein
Why: Frau Kurz is a very friendly lady and goes out of her way to make your experience in St. Goar a pleasant one. Comfortable rooms, delicious breakfast. We loved the homemade marmalade!Definitely staying here again.
Joseph Summers in Fairfield, CA USA 07/23/2006
Best: Hotel Munchner Kindl in Munich, Hotel Keiml in Nurnberg, Hotel Kastanienhof in Berlin
Why: Each hotel was exceptionally clean and tidy. The staff were fabulous and each location was convenient to tourist sites and great food/bars. But, each hotel wasn't in the middle of a tourist mecca - they were unique. In Berlin, we loved staying in hip Prenzlauer Berg and were right on a tram stop making travel on public transportation easy.
Allison Korell in Minneapolis, MN USA 07/23/2006
Best: Maximilian, Gastof Glocke in Rothenburg
Why: Maximilian - the family took us to view the "lighting of the mountain" - a religious celebration held once a year and everyone was absoulutely wonderful the entire time. We really enjoyed the room at Glocke - very quiet and pleasant room. My daughter was staying at Gerberhaus and it was delightful.
Vicki Lutrick in Saint Charles, IL USA 07/20/2006
Best: Winzerschenke & Schluxen
Why: The Gasthaus Winzerschenke in Beilstein was great and cheap. Christian was very helpful in directing our travels and recommending wine. The Gustof zum Schulxen in Pingwang was also great in a quiet country setting. Hermann was also very helpful.
Worst: Hotel Monaco in Munich
Why: The room was good and the staff were very helpful. The breakfast was also plentiful. However, the rooms get very hot without a/c and my room was on the top floor off a street with several strip joints. It got noisy at night but couldn't close the windows because of heat. Would be nice if outside temperatures aren't hot and the room didn't face the main street.
Peter in Salem, OR USA 07/17/2006
Best: Hotel Muller - Hohenschwangau
Why: Not a Rick recommendation, but fabulous. The best hotel of our trip and we stayed at some lovely places. Right in the middle of town but quiet at night and you can arrange a castle package that gets you the earliest Neuschwanstein tour of the day and taken up the hill by horse carriage. We were virtually the first people to arrive and had the outside of the castle to ourselves for awhile. It was delightful.
Worst: Gasthaus Greifen - Rothenburg
Why: Location was great, breakfast room was charming but whether this is a good overall experience depends on what room you get. Rooms 14-18 are small, all the historic charm was remodeled out of them several decades ago (except for the doors and higgledy-piggledy hallway), and they overlook the parking lot. Plus, they are very hot in the summer. Room 1 looks wonderful and is the one shown on their website. Neither of our rooms looked anything like that. They were quiet though and had clean, but small bathrooms. So Gasthaus Greifen was not terrible but definitely not as good as we'd hoped or expected from what we read here and saw in the website photos.
Donna Peck Gaines in Seattle, WA USA 07/14/2006
Best: Jugend-Gastenhaus am Graber
Why: It was clean, comfortable, good breakfast, nice staff (and reasonably priced!) We did our laundry here (used their clothesline!). There were six in our group, so the 6 bunk room worked great for us. This works best if you have a car.
Mary in Minneapolis, MN USA 07/13/2006
Best: Gastezimmer Heinrich, Reutte
Why: Gastezimmer Heinrich, A-6600 Reutte / Lahn 3, telefon 0043 / (0)5672 / 65996. English speaking family. A large, old farmhouse transformed into a B & B. Reasonable for a family of four (60 Euros per night). Very clean and omlettes for breakfast. You have the Ehrenberg Castle ruins in your backyard.
Jane Myers in Golden, CO USA 07/13/2006
Best: Cafe Uhl
Why: Once again we enjoyed the quaintness of the place, the view from the room, the fact that it was very comfortable and clean. We aren't hard to please
Worst: Once again not the worst, but perhaps least Pension Siebel,
Why: Flights of stairs, but we expected that from your book. The breakfast was great and we got the opportunity to visit with people from other countries as well as Germany. The room was clean and comfortable and a great location.
Gary & Mary Nanke in Cedar Rapids, Io USA 07/12/2006
Best: Hotel Rathausglockel
Why: We had a FAN in our room, which was wonderful since the weather was unseasonably warm in Germany for mid-late June. The breakfast was the best we had anywhere in Germany/Austria. We also had dinner there one evening, which was also wonderful. The chanterelle mushroom soup was the best!!!!
Mary L. McNair in Katy, TX USA 07/11/2006
Worst: Berlin: Hotel Carmer 16
Why: We stayed for over one week at this delightful, now Rick Steve's recommended hotel in the Savigny Platz area of Berlin - until we had to leave at 6:15am for our flight home.
We found that we were locked in the hotel, all of the exit doors were locked. Fortunately, there was a manager on duty who heard my knocking and let us out, but there is nobody on duty from 3:00 until 6:00am.
This is a very dangerous fire trap situation.
Steve Shapiro in Eugene, OR USA 07/06/2006
Best: Pension Hallberg-Tauchergasthof (Diver's Inn)
Why: the proprietors are really nice and quite helpful! Frau Winkelmann helped me carry my suitcase up two flights of stairs and she let us make sandwiches with the breakfast leftovers.
Cindy May in Hilliard, OH USA 06/22/2006
Best: Hotel Beeg- Baden Baden
Why: Our last couple of days of our two week Germany trip was spent here. Following Ricks advice we drove up in front of the hotel the owner came out and I tried to ask for a room in German, turned out the owner was a fellow Canadian and in a few seconds had us organized, our boys taking the luggage up to the rooms etc. Rooms are awesome and it it located right over a wonderful bakery. It is very close to the Therme.
Chris in Kelowna , bc canada 06/16/2006
Best: Hotel Bogota
Why: Inexpensive and Good
Worst: Pension Lindenhof
Why: Fairly Expenseive $ 100 Euros for family of 4 in crowded old room. Owner is very Grouchy money hungry old man Take this off your list. Not a nice man
Scott Fane in Miami, FL United States 06/11/2006
Best: Pension Peters, Berlin; close seconds include Hotel Pieper, Trier; Hotel Muller, Cologne; Pension Elke, Rothenburg
Why: Pension Peters had a great room the location was perfect with quit restaurants and bars to relax after a exciting day of sightseeing. Daisey Steiner was very helpful and we looked forward to seeing her at breakfast. Great rooms and breakfast buffets at both the Hotel Pieper and Pension Elke.
Worst: Hotel Kranenturm, Bacharach
Why: We thought it would be fun to stay in a medival fortification, but it wasn't. The room was too cramped, too much train noise, and the breakfast buffet and restuarant only adequate.
We would have put the Hotel Monaco, Munich, in the best category (great room and great breakfast buffet), but we had a room on the Schillerstrasse side and the street noise all night was too much.
Fred in Austin, TX USA 06/05/2006
Best: Pension Peters-Berlin
Why: Annika is the BEST! I reserved a double for single use with Daisy (Annika's sister-in-law) and was given the "Rick Steves' Room"! It is gigantic! When I went to check out, Annika felt guilty and gave me an unexpected reduction in rate because it was only me! Great location!
Ed Dombek in Westchester, IL USA 06/02/2006
Best: Hotel Rothenburger Hof, Dresden
Why: I don't believe this hotel is listed in RS, but it should be. We made a reservation on their website and they confirmed a "comfort room" for three nights at $150 a night. The room was, in fact, a two bedroom modern apartment with a full kitchen and a balcony facing away from the street. They also had the best breakfast of the eight hotels we stayed at on our most recent German trip. The hotel is in the Neustadt section north of the river. The neighborhood is quite bohemian and very interesting. There is also a great Whole Foods-type grocery store about a block away. A walk to the main museum attractions is about 20 minutes, 10 minutes to the Neustadt train station. (www.rothenburger-hof.de)
Mark in Salinas, CA USA 05/31/2006
Best: Santa Chira
Why: I just spent 4 nights at Albergo Santa Chiara and loved it. It doesn’t look like much from the outside but inside it is clean and very classy. It’s located directly behind the Pantheon, which is walking distance from many major sights and is surrounded by plenty of good places to eat. Breakfast in the hotel was excellent.
Mike in Chicago, IL USA 05/28/2006
Best: Hotel Trumer-Stube, Salzburg
Why: I just spent three nights at Trumer-Stube with my 2 daughters and had a wonderful time. The location is great, walking distance from the major sights. Silvia was extremely helpful with directions and suggestions and offered to make all our sightseeing arrangements. Will definitely stay there again.
Mike in Chicago, IL USA 05/28/2006
Best: Hotel Uhland, Munich
Why: Outstanding hotel in every way. The hotel is in a great neighborhood, with easy access to the main train station and most Munich sites via foot, bike, or U-bahn. Hotel staff were incredibly friendly and helpful. Rooms were exceptionally clean and comfortable, and the hotel served a fantastic breakfast.
Brad in Alpharetta, GA USA 05/24/2006
Best: Hotel Muenchner Kindl-Munich
Why: This hotel was close to all the major attractions in Munich. The rooms were big and clean. The staff was also very friendly and the breakfast (included with the room) was great! I would definately recommend this hotel to anyone staying in Munich!
R.Metz-Hamilton, New Jersey
Richard Metz in Hamilton, NJ USA 05/15/2006
Best: Das Beck in Reutte
Why: Big, clean, comfortable, affordable room. Wonderful breakfast buffet in a lovely, sunny "winter garden" with other Rick Steves fans to chat with.
Jenny Anderson in Holland, MI USA 05/12/2006
Best: Hotel Alpenstuben, Hohenschwangau, Bavaria
Why: Great servive, very helpful, excellent food, pleasant accommodations and perfect location
R. Chartrand in Bellingham, WA USA 05/04/2006
Best: Hotel Pankow, Berlin
Why: Friendly, clean, quiet, bright, economical, tram immediately outside hotel for easy connections to Berlin Center, and safe parking available for our rental car. Our college-aged son arrived earlier than the rest of our family because of flight changes. They provided him with a room, helped him with laundry, and made him feel at home. Wonderful place to stay. Thanks.
Kathy Glass in Verona, WI USA 04/29/2006
Best: Hotel Monaco in Munich was great!
Why: The room was clean and cute, the location was really convenient, and the breakfast was huge. They didn't stint on the Nutella!
Natalie Garrett in Ashland, OR USA 04/16/2006
Best: Astoria Hotel, Berlin
Why: All around, very satisfactory and a class above what we were expecting.
Harley Thronson in Fairfax, VA USA 04/16/2006
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