Juliekl

Can anyone recommend a hotel or B&B in Nuremburg that is centrally located for exploring the town & Christmas markets? Budget is preferrably under €200 per night
Thanks!

BTilke

There are several hotels within walking distance of the train station, which puts you close to the old town and Christmas market. We've stayed a few times at the Maritim, a business class hotel a short walk from the station and across the street from the old town walls. The Meridien also is quite nice. There is a cheaper Ibis near the train station, but I find the area immediately by the Ibis just a tad skeevy at night.
Whatever you choose, I suggest you reserve ASAP. The market attracts a lot of tour groups and visitors from all over and hotels book up fast. Make reservations for dinner at Heilige Geist, once a medieval hospital, now a nice restaurant (try the Nuremberger sausages for an appetizer--and for a main course, their "miller's wife" trout is very good, i.e., trout dipped in flour and pan fried). Also, don't forget the stores around the old town area--you might find more interesting things there than in the market!
Nuremberg is a very interesting place to visit--the Durer Haus, the Wedding sculpture, the castle, etc. A day trip to Bamberg should also be included, as I'm sure many others will recommend.

Juliekl

You're right - there's not too much left! Would you recommend the Durer Hotel or the Romantik Hotel Am Josephsplatz?

BTilke

I'm not personally familiar with either of those two hotels, although we've had good experiences with other hotels in the Romantik group.
Your other option is to consider staying in Bamberg and taking the train into Nuremberg for the market and sightseeing. Bamberg is a beautiful spot to visit, especially in the snow. I would recommend staying in a nice hotel in Bamberg over a second-tier hotel in Nuremberg. The market is an easy walk from the train station and Bamberg might feel more peaceful after a day spent with the Christmas market throngs.
Nuremberg has a particular type of gingerbread that is very popular during the Christmas season. However, it's too hard for me. If you can find them, try a Huguenotentaler (spelling approx)...another tasty local gingerbread that is softer and has a chocolate icing. They're more commonly found in Erlangen, but you can get them in Nberg too.
You'll also be trying the local beer, I imagine, such as the Rauchbier (smoked beer) from Bamberg. Rauchbier isn't to my taste, but some people like it. If you come across it, try some Wolfhoeher, an award winning small brewery near Nuremberg.

RufusTFirefly

Rufus loves Rauchbier! Und Bamberger Bratwurst! Mrs. Fly goes more for Pilsners und Schnitzel.

http://www.dw-world.de/english/0,,14...01_1_A,00.html

A couple of nice old hotels in Bamberg's Altstadt:

Hotel Brudermuehle and the Hotel St. Nepomuk. Both right on the Regnitz River in the middle of the Altstadt. We stayed at the Brudermuehle and enjoyed it immensely. We met people who stayed at the Nepomuk, and they recommended it highly.

Note that many hotels in older buildings might have small bathrooms. Ours in the Brudermuehle was cozy, but it was also very up-to-date.

The Brudermuehle has a very good restaurant specializing in Franconian/Bavarian dishes, friendly and relaxed service, and wonderful river views--including a great view of the charming old Rathaus.

Both in the 100-130 euro range, double room with good German breakfast included.

kbob

My husband and I stayed at the Ring Hotel Loews Merkur in central Nuremburg two years ago during the Christmas Market. The hotel was very well located for walking the market and sightseeing the old part of town. We had a lovely corner room which was quite large with an enormous marble bathroom. They have a website which is www.Ringhotel.de
It is located close to the train station,wewalked the area late at night with no problems and did not feel uncomfortable.
Enjoy your trip to the markets. I hope you plan to visit more than just the Christmas Market in Nuremburg. We went to 9 different Christmas Markets and found each one unique. Have a super time.

rhkkmk

we stayed at the Burg Hotel (www.burghotel-nuremberg.de) which is in the old part of town and about a 2 minute walk from the market....it has small rooms, a good breakfast and is very convenient....there is a large parking garage just below it before you get to the market... we paid 100E...with private bath and breakfast...garage was only 9E for overnite with special deal with hotel...