Castle Hotels
 

We are taking a spring break trip to Germany and are looking for castle hotel accomodations. On the Rhine we are considering Burg Gutenfels in Kaub for a couple nights, but we are also traveling along the Mosel and in the area of Heidelberg to Rothenberg. Any suggestions? We are a family of four with kids ages 11 and 14. Thanks!!!

Just last month we stayed at the Shoenburg Castle. We first stayed in Rothenburg. We have a 16 and 14 year, and we all loved it!

We stayed at Gutenfels three years ago. It certainly qualifies as one of our more dramatic lodging experiences. Parts of the castle complex have been fully restored and stabilized, whereas other parts remain in their ruined state. I believe that portions of the castle are more than 800 years old.

The Rhine vistas from a series of paths above the castle are spectacular, and the castle grounds offer great views of the Pfalzgrafenstein, the tiny island castle that will appear familiar to many people even if they don't recognize the name.

While wandering the castle grounds late one foggy night, I developed the distinct impression that I was in a cemetery, even though I didn't see anything that was clearly a grave. Upon inquiring the next morning, I was informed that I had discovered the Spanish Cemetery, which is a burial ground for Spanish mercenary soldiers that died during a seige of the castle.

The only downside to Gutenfels is that the nearby town (Kaub) is a bit too far to simply wander into town from the castle. Note, however, that this is probably true of most defensive medieval castles- they are not built in the middle of, or even in the immediate vicinity of, a town.

During our stay, the road was closed due to a small landslide. So we had to walk up to the castle from the outskirts of Kaub with our luggage. Because of this experience, I have a greater appreciation of why it is called luggage. It is quite a steep walk, as almost any picture of Gutenfels towering over the Rhine and Kaub will reveal. Despite this substantial inconvience, we would stay there again, even if we had to walk. (Note that the road has long since reopened.)

How can I get info. on these castles?
What prices are they?

There are quite a few good websites for this:

1. http://www.germany-castles.net/
2. http://www.european-castle.com/
3. http://www.european-castle-hotels.co...er_index.shtml
4. http://www.rhinecastles.com/ (same as #1?)
5. http://www.castles.org/hotels/

Best wishes,

Rex

Near Rothenburg, we stayed in Burg Colmberg. A very nice castle hotel with great views if you get an outside facing room. Rooms were about 75 (courtyard view) up to around 175 euros as I remember. The restaurant, parking, service were all very good. The rooms have been modernized, and the baths that we saw were modern and spacious. It's just a short drive east of Rothenburg in the town of Colmberg.

http://www.burg-colmberg.de/index_e.html

Eight of us stayed at Gutenfels last September.

I would also stay there again.

Two bits of advice,

1. Avoid breakfast. It costed us 12.50 Euro each for a meal that they brought up from the town below. I later found out from the taxi driver that there is no kitchen at Gutenfels. They bring it up as needed.
Food is pretty limited at Gutenfels and the cost is pretty high.

Absolutely fascinating place. Definite choice for a Castle Hotel.

2. There is a very reliable taxi service that will cost you a few Euro to go from the Rhine to the castle. A few of my group walked up to the castle, and they also said it was a tough walk up.

Have a great time