“Excellent Small Hotel”

I believe in rating a place based on its intended price-point and overall ability to deliver on the basics. In this case, The Goethe Hotel is not a bedecked high-rise hotel with a concierge desk, but a guesthouse- small, quiant, and quiet. It had the feel of a hostel in some ways- casual, bulleti… Plus

I believe in rating a place based on its intended price-point and overall ability to deliver on the basics. In this case, The Goethe Hotel is not a bedecked high-rise hotel with a concierge desk, but a guesthouse- small, quiant, and quiet. It had the feel of a hostel in some ways- casual, bulletin boards advertizing local excursions, a front desk iwth operating hours, and a fairly young clientele, but it still qualifies as a legitimate hotel/guesthouse as it is not so haphazard an atmosphere, nor so openly communal as a hostel. Each room is independent, and the entire building is constructed like a mountain cottage. It has bright wood and white walls with large windows to bring in as much light as possible. The exterior is quiet, and secluded enough to sit on the balcony for a chance to read a book or reflect on the day, without feeling embattled by urban noises. You can sleep with the windows open in the Fall and Spring, until about halfway through the night, when it gets a bit too cold to keep them open wide; perhaps you can leave it open just a touch, as the fresh air is a great sleep aid, despite the occasional car passing by on the adjacent road. The interior is very comfortable, and the staff are friendly and helpful- true Black Forest locals. I loved the attention to detail by the owners. Their breakfast was comprehensive, the room was the picture of clean, German efficiency, and their ability to speak English was quite good. While this is not in the very center of town, Staufen, itself, is rather small and entirely walkable. The Goethe is a short stroll into the main downtown strip; it might take five minutes to walk to the City Hall. Staufen is a gorgeous town. Lots of Alsatian cuisine and riverine construction. The Goethe is also very close to the Weisler winery, which grows white grapes on the slopes surrounding the town's hilltop medieval fort. Weisler's own restaurant is, itself, a great local distraction, with locals speaking French, German, and English, with ease. There is a small parking lot, which favors compact cars. If you are bringing a large vehicle, talk to the staff, beforehand, about where to park it. I recall there is a gas station very near by, heading just out of town. The Goethe is not an expensive stay, and gives you a lot of access ot the town of Staufen, and the Black Forest, generally, making a great place to retreat to when you're done with the day's excursions. I intend to return.

Moins