In southern Germany you will see lots of homes with the zimmer frei signs outside. We saw them all over Bavaria.

But the world cup may make a difference.

Have fun!!

Akkusativ, Plural = Gasthöfen
I know it's difficult for non native speakers ;-)

The others were only typos.

Logos,

how about Dativ, plural? After all they were already in the Gasthöfen.

Have you ever read "The Awful German Language" by Mark Twain?

Correct Larry!
Dativ
dem Gasthof
den Gasthöfen

Akkusativ
den Gasthof
die Gasthöfe

The guy was writing in English, Logos, and ttbom knowledge we don't recognize Dative case in English. I would also accept "Gasthofs" in this context.

Harzer

You do recognize the cases in English, it's just that many people aren't tought about it in school, it seems. They talk like they learned it at home and aren't aware of their languages grammar. They only realize this when the try to learn a foreign language. If you use German and the correct case you'll be (rightfully) "praised" for you knowledge as this is rather difficult for a non native speaker. On the other hand, if you could have known without much effort but still don't care? If i.e. you're a resident in a foreign county and don't even try to understand the local language, it's a sad story.

There is no dative case affecting the form of articles, adjectives, pronouns and nouns in English.

Instead we have the indirect object which is signalled by sentence structure (I gave [the man] a kiss), prepositions (we sent the email [to his address]) and rarely by changed forms (I told [he => him] the way)

The guy is writing in English so we can't expect him to use dative forms in German.

Bei mir, der nun doch etwas Deutsch kann, darf man erwarten, daß ich mit der Grammatik richtig umgehe.

Harzer

We've been caught out in Germany by the fact that many Tourist Offices were closed on Saturday afternoons and Sundays (it's not much different here in the UK in fact). So it's definitely worth having an alternative plan, just in case. And asking in a bar or restaurant is a good idea.

This is a peculiar thread - with some truly odd advice.

What about the "there are no bars in Germany, only Gasthäuser/Gasthöfe/Gasthöfen/Gasthofs/Wirtshauses/Wirtshäuser/Restaurants etc. which are usually very respectable places" crap?

I can tell you, I have been patronizing more bars than I'd be able to shake a stick at in various areas of Germany, some of which people might argue were not exactly of the "very respectable" kind (which is not to say that I would frequent brothels or any such related properties, rather the contrary). I still would not dream about asking for a vacant room there.

While it may be more likely to only find a Gasthaus/Gasthof/Wirtshaus/Restaurant in a little village (where one could indeed and reasonably ask for a vacant room) most of the tourists appear to be so fond of, I would assure that every city of some relevance (and I would consider Frankfurt and even Stuttgart as such) will have proper bars, the owners of which would either be surprised at such an inquiry, or where they would not. Where they would not, though, I would not assume that one would not exactly care for the room as most likely such are usually being let by the hour.

The last paragraph should read:

"Where they would not, though, I would assume that one would not exactly care for the room as most likely such are usually being let by the hour."

What do you do with the 14-year-old while you are in a bar asking about rooms?

Intrepid,

I am not aware of a law that generally forbids children access to a bar in Germany. They may not be served alcohol before the age of 16, but their access to bars is not restricted (with some minor exceptions, i.e. the bar offering some adult entertainment, which is not that prevalent to be of significance here).

Wow, I walked away from this thread days ago thinking it had served its purpose and was done with. Funny the offshoot conversations that have developed in the interim. I've gotten the information that I need for getting rooms and as for what to do with a 14 year old when inquiring in a 'bar' about a room - I'm taking him with me, he's 6'2". Thanks to everyone for your very helpful advise and suggestions. I really do appreciate it.

Beelady, you made me laugh and certainly put the issue into perspective given that your 14 year old is 6'2!

Lily,
I was laughing when I read the question somewhere up there. My boy, he's so much fun. We laugh heartily almost every day together; we are really good friends in addition to everything else. He loves being so tall - he likes to pat me on the head Benny Hill style as if to prove something to me. Not going there. I know we'll have a blast in Germany bar-hopping. JUST KIDDING.