We'll be traveling to Alsace in October and would like to base either in Colmar or Strasbourg. I have heard that Colmar is better for high end hotels, but that Strasbourg is the better choice for restaurants. So I'd like opinions on which would be the better base for visiting the area and suggestions for hotels/restaurants to stay at/eat at while there.

I've only visited Strasbourg and it is a very nice place, small with both French and German influences. It's the first place we had Alsatian food. I recommend it. Not sure about Colmar which I think is just as small and quaint as Strasbourg.

If it were me which it isin't, i would stay in Strasbourg and do day trips to Colmar, Mulhouse and even Baden-Baden. We stayed there at christmas and did that. Colmar is about an hour by car. On the way back you can hit as many wineries as you can stomach, Riquewier (very cool) and the Chateau Konnesburg (sp?). The day trip to b-b was also nice. We stayed at the Comfort Inn next to the river. The price was really good and the rooms were actually huge with wood floors etc. Email me with any questions.

Colmar is much smaller than Strasbourg - and I recommend that you stay in the latter. Several good hotels, a bunch of restaurants and several interesting things to do on top of the cathedral and the petite France boat ride.

We did Colmar as a day trip and that was enough to cover what we wanted. Suggest you do the wine towns as a separate day trip to get the chance to tour several of them.

We stayed in Ottrott for four nights while exploring the Alsace region. Although we didn't care for Colmar, the Little Venice area is nice.

Colmar is a more central region to stay in for making day trips in Alsace. As you can see on the map, Strasbourg is at the Northern end of Alsace.

A couple of highlights in the area are Mont Ste Odile, Haut-Koenigsbourg, as well as all the small towns along the wine route. Take the drive up to Hohneck. On a clear day you can see for miles.

Here's a link for Luxury hotels in the area. It's a great region of France to visit, and we have very fond memories of the area and wine route.

http://www.visit-alsace.com/hotels/hotels_ang_4e.html

If I had to choose one I would go for Strasbourg...a lovely place but we stayed there and did a day trip down the wine road and on another day did a train trip to Colmar.Enjoyed both places as I am sure you will too.

Both are VG, but if you miss Obernai and Riquewihr, you'll regret it.
I really like Hot. l'Oriel and Rest le Sarment d'Or in Riquewihr!
M

We stayed in Colmar (Little Venice) at the Hotel Romantik Marechal.