Gengenbach is not deep into the Black Forest, but I find the town delightful and a nicer base than Offenburg (which many using the train as transportation stay in).

If you aren't set on a house rental, you might want to consider one of our favorite hotel/restaurants in all of Germany:

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g1078349-d1105587-Reviews-Hotel_Restaurant_Hirsch_Berghaupten-Berghaupten_Baden_Wurttemberg.html

My sister has been to Europe 4 times and their breakfast is her favorite of any stay ever. If you end up staying in Gengenbach, it's only a couple of kilometers for an execptional meal, but DO have a reservation as they're popular with the locals as well as guests.

I think Gengenbach is great. But I'd prefer to stay in town - it's a place with great old-world vibe - and within walking distance of Gengenbach's station, and to use the extensive and efficient train system for visiting the BF towns - all local trains and buses can be used for free throughout the Black Forest region (and even to Basel) with the KONUS guest card you receive from your Gengenbach innkeeper. G'bach is on the scenic Black Forest Railway line, making outings a snap. Trains on the BF railway are generally double-deckers - great for sightseeing:

http://www.bensbauernhof.com/russschwarzwaldbahn.jpg

http://www.black-forest-travel.com/places-of-interest/black-forest-railway.html

I would add Villingen to the list of towns at the page just above. There are also direct trains from G'bach to Schiltach (near Hausach but on a different rail line):

http://www.tourismus-vs.de/en/views-of-the-city/sights/villingen.html
http://www.black-forest-travel.com/schiltach/

Konus details: http://www.blackforest-tourism.com/konus

You can of course visit these towns by car instead - it's just a pricier proposition.

check out http://www.stadt-gengenbach.de for a list of accomodations

aussie_10-
I would second Klondike's recommendation for the Hotel Resturant Hirsch in Berghaupten. If you stay there, be aware that (we found) the town to be pretty dead after 9 PM. It's very easy to get to Berghaupten, use Google maps. Take B33 south from Offenburg. Instead of turning East off of B33 to get to Gengenbach, stay on B33 a little further and turn southwest toward Betrghaupten. Stay on the main road into Berghaupten, follow the sharp left in the middle of town, and turn right just after you pass the church one block later. We used Booking.com to make a reservation. Enjoy...

We stayed a couple of nights in Gengenbach a few years ago and really liked it. We also used the KONUS card and public transportation and would recommend it. You could also add Freiburg to your list of places to visit. Travel time on the train is just over an hour with a change in Offenburg. We stayed at the Pfefrer und Salz hotel/restaurant and would recommend it. The staff there was super nice. Enjoy the Black Forest.

We loved Gengenbach! Unfortunately, our weather wasn't very good but in between rainfalls, we walked all over the town.

We stayed at the Hotel Sonne which is right on the market square. At that time, the prices were extremely reasonable, rooms were clean and the breakfast was very good. They also had a nice restaurant for evening meals.

http://www.sonne-gengenbach.de/

Bookmarking

Wow such great suggestions by you all!
Thanks so much.

Well I have been reading and clicking on all the great links everyone has shared. Hotel Restaurant Hirsch in Berghaupten does look good as well as Hotel Sonne. I did also look at the Pfefrer und Salz but I think they have no vacancies.

I have also looked at a lot of other accommodations that seem to be out in the hills around Gengenbach on farms. I am almost overwhelmed after looking up so many of them.

I sometimes find it hard to decide where to stay but find it very helpful to get your recommendations and reviews.

We will definitely have a car but may also take advantage of the Konus card.

Stayed for two weeeks in an apartment in Gengenbach proper a few years ago--great choice!
Don't miss the Black Forest Outdoor Museum in nearby Gutach:

http://en.vogtsbauernhof.org/
Or the museum tower right in Gengenbach with displays from Fastnacht (pre-Lenten) parades through the centuries.
Great views from the top of the simple tower!

http://www.stadt-gengenbach.de/en/tourism/culture/museums/carnivalmuseum/

Thanks Mokka4
Yes I think the open air museum is a must on the to see list.

The more I read the more I like the idea of Gengenbach. Just trying to decide whether to stay right in town or a few k outside. Where did you stay?

We stayed in the Hotel Benz and liked it so much we returned the next year!

Stay in town so you are within walking distance of train station and attractions and, most important, restaurants. You will probably want to sample the local beers and wines in the evening?

We found a lovely apartment in the countryside, so tempted to take it, but am still lured by staying in town and not having to worry about driving home after dinner.

Is Hotel Benz in town?

Still undecided.

I can't recall the name of out FeWo,
but check out
http://www3.toubiz.de/gengenbach/default/result.php?page=0
for a list of 78 apartment possibilities in the area...sweet!
Gasthaus Engel looks good?!

When scrolling through the list of apartments, "Stadtgebiet" means city area or district (in or close to town).
Frei Steinkellerhaus on Hauptstrasse (main street),
Gasthaus Engel
FeWo Kienzler all are in town and look enticing!
Grim
Riehl
Doerfer
Baechle are all just on the edge of town...
If the landlords can't correspond in english, click on the town's tourism info site to intervene!

Hotel Benz is outside the built up area of the town but about ten minutes walk from the centre.One of its attractions for us was that we didn't have to take the car out at night. As it happened though the hotel has a very good restaurant so both times we stayed we ate there one night.

bk

I agree with those who recommend staying in town.

I think the hotel Benz may have changed its name?

Cannot find a link, maybe called something else?

From a 2007 post- don't know if still in business!

http://www.bensbauernhof.com/hotelbenzgengenbach.html

Oh yes, I forgot the wondeful Pfannkuchen mentioned in Ben's report!

doesn't look like Benz is still listed anywhere...

http://www.booking.com/searchresults.en-us.html?aid=343560;sid=35144cb390a1e8903307843ff7e9eb9b;dcid=1;checkin_monthday=18;checkin_year_month=2013-6;checkout_monthday=21;checkout_year_month=2013-6;class_interval=1;csflt=%7B%7D;inac=0;offset=0;redirected_from_city=0;redirected_from_landmark=0;review_score_group=empty;score_min=0;si=ai%2Cco%2Cci%2Cre%2Cdi;ss_all=0;;city=-1775342;origin=disamb;srhash=2557756928;srpos=1

Found it! Is has been reincarnated as Eventhotel Pfeffer und Salz. Good reviews on Tripadvisor

Looks like I need to update that page on the Benz. Thanks mokka4 and Frances.

If you are still looking for an apartment in or around Gengenbach I can recommend an apartment my Frau and I stayed at last year about 6km from Gengenbach. The hostess was very nice and the apartment very large and clean. Huge bathroom, bedroom and kitchen, private lounge with recliners, couch and TV and a large balcony. And the price was excellent.

http://www.bensbauernhof.com/kaelblehoffussbach.html