Hi all,
My husband and I were planning to visit
Switzerland and Germany in mid September. We will be staying in Lauterbrunnen for a week, then travelling to Germany where my Uncle lives in Neustadt an der Weinstrasse. We were supposed to stay with him in the guest room, but now the room has been taken permanently by an elderly relative whose husband passed away. I started looking for hotels in Neustadt as well as in nearby Bad Durkheim and Deidesheim but they're all sold out because the week of Sept. 15 is peak wine festial season. I need something within driving distance to Neustadt an der Weinstrasse that is reasonably priced. Any ideas on nearby towns and the hotels within them would be greatly appreciated. I had no idea things would be sold out this far out!

Speyer is a 20-25 minute drive from Neustadt an der Weinstrasse, and has several hotels. The Speyer city website also lists several vacation apartments (Ferienwohnungen). I know that's not super convenient, but might be worth a shot if you can't find something closer. And the cathedral in Speyer is definitely worth a visit.

Good Luck!

..........how about Landau? Nice little
town quite close to Neustadt

Ended up getting a hotel in Deidesheim. Everything in the wine region is booked up because that weekend is the Wurstmarkt in Bad Durkheim.

I was going to suggest Annweiler, but glad you've found somewhere. Have great memories of going to the wurstmarkt with german friends, and getting completely sloshed on the wine sold in 1/2 litre glasses! Also people walking around the spa taking the air wearing plastic macs - or was that just a reflection of what we'd drunk? And the Beer barrel so big it held an orchestra and and huge crowd!
hope you're planning to go - you'll never forget it!