german pensions
 

What are pensions??

Small, usually family-run, hotel/bed&breakfast.

I just hope the pension of the average working Hans or Greta is better off than the pensions of the working John and Betty in the USA...thanks Dubya you are just doing us in ol' bubba.

I don´t know the definition of a pension, but I think that you can not expect any kind of service. I´m not sure, but I think this is the difference between hotel and pension. In a hotel, you pay for service and facilities, even if you don´t need or use them. The British term is Bed & Breakfast: sometimes private accomodation, other times what the Europeans (on the continent) call pensions.

A pension is any public lodging establishment that offers meals to its guests only. A pension garni offers only breakfast to its guests. Pensions are supposed to have some kind of common room for guests. This differs from a Gasthof, where the public is welcome in the eating establishment, but no common room exists. A hotel has some minimum number of rooms, and a reception desk in addition to a restaurant, and provides additional services. Small family run businesses with only a couple of rooms are called "Privatunterkunft" - most all serve breakfast only.

OK. Then what is a gasthaus? And how does it differ from a gasthof? <BR><BR>To the original poster, we have always stayed in the small family run gasthaus' in Germany. They have more than met our needs and are much more intimate. Plus, prices are usually much more reasonable. But, we don't like or need fancy hotels with all the services and amenities. We are just looking for a quiet, clean room. Basically everything in Germany offers a hearty breakfast so that isn't the issue. A note of caution though, don't plan on having English speakers at a gasthaus--some do and some don't.

julie: I may be wrong, but I think Gasthof and Gasthaus are essentially the same animal; it could be that Gasthof is used more often in rural areas, Gasthaus more for urban locales.

Russ is right (again). It is just the same. In a Gasthaus/Gasthof You can get something to eat, but not always You find a place to sleep. <BR>Gar