Berchtesgaden hotels or apt.
Sep 27th, 2012, 12:51 PM
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Berchtesgaden hotels or apt.
Hi all. I can't believe I am looking for hotels in this area for next June and most of them are already sold out! It is a weekend, but I thought I was looking early.
I have a res at Wittelsbach - which gets mixed reviews on tripadvisor. If anyone here has stayed there, I'd appreciate feedback.
I'm also wondering if I should consider an apt. b/c we are a party of 4. I'm not sure if places would rent for only 2 nights, and I am very hesitant to do this in a non-urban area. Has anyone here stayed in apt. that they would recommend in this area?
I have a res at Wittelsbach - which gets mixed reviews on tripadvisor. If anyone here has stayed there, I'd appreciate feedback.
I'm also wondering if I should consider an apt. b/c we are a party of 4. I'm not sure if places would rent for only 2 nights, and I am very hesitant to do this in a non-urban area. Has anyone here stayed in apt. that they would recommend in this area?
Sep 27th, 2012, 01:46 PM
#2
Hi karens,
If you're interested, this place in Ramsau bei Berchtesgaden (10 min. from Berchtesgaden), has rooms, suites and an appt. We stayed here in 06, '07 and '09, but we had a double room. The owners are wonderful and I'm sure they would answer any concerns you may have about the rooms, appts., etc.
www.mayringerlehen.de
www.worldisround.com/articles/355548/index.html
www.worldisround.com/articles/338872/index.html
www.worldisround.com/articles/324607/index.html
Paul
If you're interested, this place in Ramsau bei Berchtesgaden (10 min. from Berchtesgaden), has rooms, suites and an appt. We stayed here in 06, '07 and '09, but we had a double room. The owners are wonderful and I'm sure they would answer any concerns you may have about the rooms, appts., etc.
www.mayringerlehen.de
www.worldisround.com/articles/355548/index.html
www.worldisround.com/articles/338872/index.html
www.worldisround.com/articles/324607/index.html
Paul
Sep 27th, 2012, 02:40 PM
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karens, We stayed 5 nights at Pension Haus am Berg in Berchtesgaden this past May. We booked through booking.com. I don't know if they have apartments. From this B&B we could walk into town although it was a bit of a climb. We had beautiful views of the town and the mountains and on a clear day could see across to "Eagles Nest".
Sometimes when I am looking for hotels in Europe if a date is too far out places might show no availability. It seems unusual that you would be seeing little availability. Good luck, Deborah
Sometimes when I am looking for hotels in Europe if a date is too far out places might show no availability. It seems unusual that you would be seeing little availability. Good luck, Deborah
Sep 27th, 2012, 06:25 PM
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pja - that place looks really nice. I will peruse your links, thanks.
DeborahAnn, I am now wondering if it is too far out. It's weird that booking.com is indicating "last room was sold 2 days ago" type stuff, but now I'm thinking they only are offered so many rooms to sell - and their rooms might "sell out" but the hotel itself will still have available rooms. I did contact one hotel that said they don't book until the spring, so perhaps that is the case.
DeborahAnn, I am now wondering if it is too far out. It's weird that booking.com is indicating "last room was sold 2 days ago" type stuff, but now I'm thinking they only are offered so many rooms to sell - and their rooms might "sell out" but the hotel itself will still have available rooms. I did contact one hotel that said they don't book until the spring, so perhaps that is the case.
Sep 27th, 2012, 07:30 PM
#5
Hi karens,
I would only deal directly with the places themselves, not through a third party booking site. That's me. The Mayringerlehen is our favorite place to stay anywhere. The owners (Sabine and Johann) are simply wonderful, they have nice rooms, a good breakfast buffet, wonderful views of the mountains plus they have an organic dairy farm with cows, goats, chickens, guinea pigs, a horse and a llama on the property. It is just a few minutes walk to the bus stop and then into the small village of Ramsau itself.
Paul
I would only deal directly with the places themselves, not through a third party booking site. That's me. The Mayringerlehen is our favorite place to stay anywhere. The owners (Sabine and Johann) are simply wonderful, they have nice rooms, a good breakfast buffet, wonderful views of the mountains plus they have an organic dairy farm with cows, goats, chickens, guinea pigs, a horse and a llama on the property. It is just a few minutes walk to the bus stop and then into the small village of Ramsau itself.
Paul
Sep 28th, 2012, 06:03 AM
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Karens: It's me again! I'de like to make some suggestions RE Berchtescaden but need to qualify them first.
What are your primary reasons for going to Berchtesgaden, in order of preference? WW II history, Lake Koenigsee, the scenery? There are so many fantastic opportunities in this area that your choice of a place to locate may get skewed with respect to the real reasons you're going there. This will also be tempered by whether or not you'll have a vehicle or will be depending on public transportation. That was not an issue when we were doing Rothenburg. A car would allow you total flexibility but if that's not in your plans there are still plenty of great opportunities.
A few examples of extremes depending on your own reasons for making Berchtesgaden a stop on your IT. I'm not suggesting any of these places but am just illustrating why we need to know a bit more about your goals.
If you're basing in Berchtesgaden for luxury, relaxation, scenery and fairly close proximity to the former NSDAP area there is the Intercontinental Hotel http://www.ichotelsgroup.com/interco.../berchtesgaden
Downside . . . expensive, very modern, no regional charm, transport into town and other places can be problematic, etc.
If your going there for scenery, good access to town plus many of the area's most popular attractions you could look at something like the Schiffmeister Hotel, located directly in front of the boat landing for the excursion to St. Bart's on the Koenigsee
http://www.hotel-schiffmeister.de/ This is not a chain hotel and has been owned by a local man for many years. If location to all things Berchtesgaden is important this place is ideal. In addition it has an historic tie to the dark side of the area history. It was a favorite of Ava Braun, Hitler and others of the NSDAP. Parking for guests is directly in front of the hotel. The 'Eagle's Nest' is directly overhead from this location.
Downside . . . none!
If you want to be literally in the lap of history you could stay at the Turken Inn http://www.hotel-zum-tuerken.com/index.html
Frau Ingrid Scharffenberg runs the only privately owned property in the Berchtesgaden National Park. It's been in her family since before the war. Her modest little inn sits within a few yards of the location of Hitler's home the 'Berghof'. The Turken was 'appropriated' by Martin Borman from Frau Scharffenberg's family and used to house Hitler's private guards as swell as the communication center for the Obersalzburg area. She controls the only access to the labrynith of tunnels and bunkers beneath the area and you can explore these from a small kiosk on the side of the Turken Hotel. Few visitors to the area ever discover this. Bountiful buffet breakfasts at the Turken. Five minute walk to the buses going up to the Kehlstein Haus.
Downside . . . no restaurant, rooms are clean and comfortable but modest, some have shared bath.
Karens . . . please advise of your priorities and we can get more specific. I spend a lot of time in this area, also!
Paul in (Erie) PA
What are your primary reasons for going to Berchtesgaden, in order of preference? WW II history, Lake Koenigsee, the scenery? There are so many fantastic opportunities in this area that your choice of a place to locate may get skewed with respect to the real reasons you're going there. This will also be tempered by whether or not you'll have a vehicle or will be depending on public transportation. That was not an issue when we were doing Rothenburg. A car would allow you total flexibility but if that's not in your plans there are still plenty of great opportunities.
A few examples of extremes depending on your own reasons for making Berchtesgaden a stop on your IT. I'm not suggesting any of these places but am just illustrating why we need to know a bit more about your goals.
If you're basing in Berchtesgaden for luxury, relaxation, scenery and fairly close proximity to the former NSDAP area there is the Intercontinental Hotel http://www.ichotelsgroup.com/interco.../berchtesgaden
Downside . . . expensive, very modern, no regional charm, transport into town and other places can be problematic, etc.
If your going there for scenery, good access to town plus many of the area's most popular attractions you could look at something like the Schiffmeister Hotel, located directly in front of the boat landing for the excursion to St. Bart's on the Koenigsee
http://www.hotel-schiffmeister.de/ This is not a chain hotel and has been owned by a local man for many years. If location to all things Berchtesgaden is important this place is ideal. In addition it has an historic tie to the dark side of the area history. It was a favorite of Ava Braun, Hitler and others of the NSDAP. Parking for guests is directly in front of the hotel. The 'Eagle's Nest' is directly overhead from this location.
Downside . . . none!
If you want to be literally in the lap of history you could stay at the Turken Inn http://www.hotel-zum-tuerken.com/index.html
Frau Ingrid Scharffenberg runs the only privately owned property in the Berchtesgaden National Park. It's been in her family since before the war. Her modest little inn sits within a few yards of the location of Hitler's home the 'Berghof'. The Turken was 'appropriated' by Martin Borman from Frau Scharffenberg's family and used to house Hitler's private guards as swell as the communication center for the Obersalzburg area. She controls the only access to the labrynith of tunnels and bunkers beneath the area and you can explore these from a small kiosk on the side of the Turken Hotel. Few visitors to the area ever discover this. Bountiful buffet breakfasts at the Turken. Five minute walk to the buses going up to the Kehlstein Haus.
Downside . . . no restaurant, rooms are clean and comfortable but modest, some have shared bath.
Karens . . . please advise of your priorities and we can get more specific. I spend a lot of time in this area, also!
Paul in (Erie) PA
Sep 28th, 2012, 11:48 AM
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karens, I stayed at the Wittelsbach for 4 nights summer 2010. First let me say how very much I enjoyed the area. Just gorgeous and lots of wonderful walks and hikes nearby. Upon reading your comment about the mixed reviews of the Wittelsbach, I checked them out on TA. I was quite dismayed with some of the comments. I had a positive stay and not only was the owner kind & helpful (especially with public transportation questions), but he was even quite funny. Is is possible that some of the negative posters did not approach the owner with concerns in a way that encourged him to respond in a positive way? Many times I find that kindness and positive attitude by the traveler is generally rewarded with the same in return. The breakfast was better than average (but not extraordinary)& served in a large room with an extraordinary view of the mountains. Plus, there was a very, very nice breakfast lady with a smile on her face each morning and lots of good coffee for me. I would absolutely encourage you to get a room with a balcony. Mine was in the rear of the hotel and while quiet. I missed out on the view. BTW, there's a restaurant just across the street where I had a glass of wine each night before dinner. It's perched on a cliff overlooking the valley and the mountains. Wonderful! The hotel itself is not luxurious but it fit well into my budget. I had no complaints except for the lack of air conditioning. Who knew I'd be there during an extraordinary heat wave - mid 90's. I had some trouble getting to sleep. If I went back (and I would very much like to), I wouldn't hesitate staying there again based upon my experience.
Sep 29th, 2012, 03:23 PM
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Hello, again, Paul, and thanks for your all your info! (The rest of you, too!)
We have a variety of plans for Berchtesgaden - my college aged son likes WW2 history, and my husband and I love to hike, so here is what we'd like to do:
Eagles Nest (not sure if we will do a tour - we will have a car and I think I'd just really like to see the view from up there) (any thoughts/comments on the tour?)
The Documentation Center
The tunnels under zum Turken hotel
a boat ride on the Koenigsee
a hike in the gorge of Wimbachklamm
thanks for all the hotel info, I will email each place. I contact the Turken, and was told they don't make reservations until next April. The Intercontinental was sold out months ago. It was actually the very first hotel I contacted (I called right after securing our flights) b/c I was hoping to be able to get 2 rooms with Priority Club points.
DeeDee - here, as in Rothenburg, it seems very few places have A/C. We will have to cross our fingers for no heat waves!
We have a variety of plans for Berchtesgaden - my college aged son likes WW2 history, and my husband and I love to hike, so here is what we'd like to do:
Eagles Nest (not sure if we will do a tour - we will have a car and I think I'd just really like to see the view from up there) (any thoughts/comments on the tour?)
The Documentation Center
The tunnels under zum Turken hotel
a boat ride on the Koenigsee
a hike in the gorge of Wimbachklamm
thanks for all the hotel info, I will email each place. I contact the Turken, and was told they don't make reservations until next April. The Intercontinental was sold out months ago. It was actually the very first hotel I contacted (I called right after securing our flights) b/c I was hoping to be able to get 2 rooms with Priority Club points.
DeeDee - here, as in Rothenburg, it seems very few places have A/C. We will have to cross our fingers for no heat waves!
Sep 30th, 2012, 05:50 AM
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karens, I'll chime in again since you like to walk/hike. I walked the trail from Berchtesgaden to Lake Konigsee and loved it! It begins across the street from the train station and follows a simply lovely, sparkling clear river to the lake. I forget how long it took, but it wasn't all that long. It is a very poplular walk with Germans. I passed lovely fields, beautiful homes typical of the area all dripping with flowers from their balconies. I even met up with a woman in typical Bavarian dress with her donkey leading a small caravan. She was selling schnapps! I bought one of her homemade small bottles & downed it during my hike. It packed a punch! Another day I did the gorge of Wimbachklamm hike. The walk was again lovely. I was not only the only American but the only person without walking sticks as an accessory. The falls were stunning as were the ferns and other flora surrounding them. It's not a strenuous hike and very, very rewarding. Plus, the temps surounding the falls were at least 20 degrees lower than the 90+. I think you will truely enjoy the hike. I can't comment on the value of taking a tour of Eagles Nest. I did not take one but enjoyed just being there, the views and of course the history.
Sep 30th, 2012, 11:48 AM
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Karens: . . . With the info you've provided I'll give you my best shot how I think you'll get the most out of your valuable time in Berchtesgaden. Location, location, location . . .
For my money, time and interests I would stay at the Schiffmeister Hotel in Koenigsee. http://www.hotel-schiffmeister.de/ You'll have a car to easily get to the Obersalzburg and private parking at the Hotel is directly across the street. To reach the Hotel you can drive right down the narrow street lined with shops, restaurants, botiques and tourists (during the day). Ask Herr Massury if Eva Braun's room is available. Most all of the rooms have a balcony with a view straight up the Koenigsee. At the Schiffmeister you're literally in the shadow of the Eagle's Nest and living in part of history.
You'll also be only steps away from the boats that take you out to St. Bart's. Tip . . . there's a wonderful outdoor restaurant next to St. Bart's. It's in a tree shaded garden, sort of a cross between a beer garden and a restaurant and they serve a wide variety from drinks, wurst and strudel to hot meals at reasonable prices.
A great place for an evening meal/dinner is a short, quiet walk around to the opposite shore of the Lake from the Schiffmeister, which does not have it's own restaurant. Herr Massury's nephew and his wife operate this charming place http://www.echostueberl.de/ It has both outdoor seating on a deck next to the shore and indoor seating, and outstanding regional fare in a charming environment. If you go there be sure to check out the World Class Bob Sled Run immediately next door. http://www.weltcup-koenigssee.de/wel...oenigssee.html If you visit the web site 'web cams', go through them for the various hours of the day and you'll see both the Shiffmeister, the boat landings and the Echosturbel nearby.
In the evening the area around the Schiffmeister gets very quiet; the day-trippers and bus loads of tourists head back to Munich and Salzburg!
RE the Eagle's Nest, Documentation Center, Turken bunkers, etc. . . . again, with your precious time in mind I do not think it is advisable to 'schedule' any of these, especially the EN Tour. The weather can be fickle and if you make a plan and schedule a tour for a specific time and the Kehlstein is socked in by fog then the experience is underwhelming. You can plan your day(s) on the Obersalzurg to be flexible with respect to the weather. With just a little reading up on the history of the Eagle's Nest and the Obersalzburg you can do the tour on your own, at your leisure and at your own pace. Be advised that the buses up to the EN can be a wait. If you do go up, when the bus stops at the top, go directly to the ticket kiosk and schedule your return bus back down. If you don't do this promptly you may find out that you'll have a wait time for space available on a later bus. I feel that an hour-and-a-half at the top is enough time unless you decide to have lunch or dinner up there.
The Documentation Center is located in the former Nazi Guest House in the Hintereck Area. Although you should probably do the DC you should by all means plan time to spend at least an hour going down into the tunnels and bunkers under the Turken Hotel. Tip . . . the parking lots around the DC are large and get quite congested. You can save this hassle (and time) by parking free immediately alongside the Turken Hotel. Enter the tunnels from the kiosk alongside the Turken. From there you can walk either one of two ways to get over to the DC. The first is to continue up the street in front of the Turken and in 5 minutes you'll arrive at the DC and the bus stop location for the EN buses. The second way to get to the DC is by folloeing the path around the side of the Turken which goes directly over the location of the ruins of Hitler's 'Berghof'. Some of the retaining walls, ventilation shafts, etc. can still be seen in the trees.
The Turken can easily be missed. Leaving Bertschgaden on Rt. 319 (Salzbergstrasse)travel 2-1/2 miles toward Obersalzburg, mainly through a forest. Shortly after you pass the golf course on the left (former Nazi farm) you come to a sharp right turn in the road. Do not make this turn but continue more or less straight ahead. You'll immediately pass the stone ruins of the guard station just before Hitler's 'Berghof'. The 'Berghof sat on the embankment on the right side of the road. Just around a turn in the street you'll arrive at the Turken. There are no signs pointing the way because the government officials are doing all possible to supress Frau Scharffenberg's little guesthouse and business.
Karens . . . here is the most comprehensive web site that you can research to get a wealth of information. You could spend days on this site and be sure you've gotten the most accurate and current information possible. http://www.thirdreichruins.com/
I trust that you'll find some of this helpful!
Paul in (Erie) PA
For my money, time and interests I would stay at the Schiffmeister Hotel in Koenigsee. http://www.hotel-schiffmeister.de/ You'll have a car to easily get to the Obersalzburg and private parking at the Hotel is directly across the street. To reach the Hotel you can drive right down the narrow street lined with shops, restaurants, botiques and tourists (during the day). Ask Herr Massury if Eva Braun's room is available. Most all of the rooms have a balcony with a view straight up the Koenigsee. At the Schiffmeister you're literally in the shadow of the Eagle's Nest and living in part of history.
You'll also be only steps away from the boats that take you out to St. Bart's. Tip . . . there's a wonderful outdoor restaurant next to St. Bart's. It's in a tree shaded garden, sort of a cross between a beer garden and a restaurant and they serve a wide variety from drinks, wurst and strudel to hot meals at reasonable prices.
A great place for an evening meal/dinner is a short, quiet walk around to the opposite shore of the Lake from the Schiffmeister, which does not have it's own restaurant. Herr Massury's nephew and his wife operate this charming place http://www.echostueberl.de/ It has both outdoor seating on a deck next to the shore and indoor seating, and outstanding regional fare in a charming environment. If you go there be sure to check out the World Class Bob Sled Run immediately next door. http://www.weltcup-koenigssee.de/wel...oenigssee.html If you visit the web site 'web cams', go through them for the various hours of the day and you'll see both the Shiffmeister, the boat landings and the Echosturbel nearby.
In the evening the area around the Schiffmeister gets very quiet; the day-trippers and bus loads of tourists head back to Munich and Salzburg!
RE the Eagle's Nest, Documentation Center, Turken bunkers, etc. . . . again, with your precious time in mind I do not think it is advisable to 'schedule' any of these, especially the EN Tour. The weather can be fickle and if you make a plan and schedule a tour for a specific time and the Kehlstein is socked in by fog then the experience is underwhelming. You can plan your day(s) on the Obersalzurg to be flexible with respect to the weather. With just a little reading up on the history of the Eagle's Nest and the Obersalzburg you can do the tour on your own, at your leisure and at your own pace. Be advised that the buses up to the EN can be a wait. If you do go up, when the bus stops at the top, go directly to the ticket kiosk and schedule your return bus back down. If you don't do this promptly you may find out that you'll have a wait time for space available on a later bus. I feel that an hour-and-a-half at the top is enough time unless you decide to have lunch or dinner up there.
The Documentation Center is located in the former Nazi Guest House in the Hintereck Area. Although you should probably do the DC you should by all means plan time to spend at least an hour going down into the tunnels and bunkers under the Turken Hotel. Tip . . . the parking lots around the DC are large and get quite congested. You can save this hassle (and time) by parking free immediately alongside the Turken Hotel. Enter the tunnels from the kiosk alongside the Turken. From there you can walk either one of two ways to get over to the DC. The first is to continue up the street in front of the Turken and in 5 minutes you'll arrive at the DC and the bus stop location for the EN buses. The second way to get to the DC is by folloeing the path around the side of the Turken which goes directly over the location of the ruins of Hitler's 'Berghof'. Some of the retaining walls, ventilation shafts, etc. can still be seen in the trees.
The Turken can easily be missed. Leaving Bertschgaden on Rt. 319 (Salzbergstrasse)travel 2-1/2 miles toward Obersalzburg, mainly through a forest. Shortly after you pass the golf course on the left (former Nazi farm) you come to a sharp right turn in the road. Do not make this turn but continue more or less straight ahead. You'll immediately pass the stone ruins of the guard station just before Hitler's 'Berghof'. The 'Berghof sat on the embankment on the right side of the road. Just around a turn in the street you'll arrive at the Turken. There are no signs pointing the way because the government officials are doing all possible to supress Frau Scharffenberg's little guesthouse and business.
Karens . . . here is the most comprehensive web site that you can research to get a wealth of information. You could spend days on this site and be sure you've gotten the most accurate and current information possible. http://www.thirdreichruins.com/
I trust that you'll find some of this helpful!
Paul in (Erie) PA
Sep 30th, 2012, 12:50 PM
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Friends of mine recommend the Hotel Edelweiss, where they have stayed several times for a weekend with their kids (we're from munich).
http://www.edelweiss-berchtesgaden.com/en
The national park website provides information for hikers:
http://www.nationalpark-berchtesgade...isch/index.htm
Gotzenalm is a privately run hut where you can stay over night quite comfortably, starting from the middle or top station of Jenner cable car, it is a not too strenuous hike. The next morning, you can descend to the rear end of the lake (boat stop "Salet") and take the boat back.
http://www.gotzenalm.de
http://www.edelweiss-berchtesgaden.com/en
The national park website provides information for hikers:
http://www.nationalpark-berchtesgade...isch/index.htm
Gotzenalm is a privately run hut where you can stay over night quite comfortably, starting from the middle or top station of Jenner cable car, it is a not too strenuous hike. The next morning, you can descend to the rear end of the lake (boat stop "Salet") and take the boat back.
http://www.gotzenalm.de
