We will be in Rothenburg in early July. I am interested in hotel recommendations for a charming experience. We need a double room with a private bath. Please comment if you have stayed at Gasthof Greifen, Gerberhaus, Klosterstueble, or the Glocke. We would like to keep the cost below 75 euro. Thanks.

My wife and I stayed at the Ringhotel Glocke on two trips to Rothenburg. The last time was in 2002.

The hotel staff was friendly and helpful. They have a small parking garage under the hotel, but it is cramped and requires some skill to park the car. They may be willing to park it for you, but there is no guarantee that space will be available. There is also a large public parking lot just outside the southern gate, which is within easy walking distance from the hotel.

Above all else, I like the Glocke for its location - right on the Plonlein. In many pictures of the Plonlein, you can see a metal sign with a bell sticking out in the foreground - that is the hotel (Glocke means bell).

We stayed at Gasthof Greifen last week (thanks to a rec here from TexasAggie). We had room #4 which had a double bed (two adjoined twins w/seperate duvets), a terrific shower, a table and chairs and a window seat with a view of the Market Square.

The decor in our room was quite dated but It's great value for the money and the people were very nice. Breakfast is included (meats/cheese/cereal/oj/tea, etc.). They also have a resto but we never ate there and there's parking in the back.

Hi Betsy - I have not stayed at this hotel, but I know that the Gasthof Greifen gets consistently good recommendations. (We stayed at the Burg Hotel which was very nice but was 150 €.)

Sorry, meant to say that the hotel's parking directions weren't great (or, perhaps, we didn't understand them?). Regardless, I have company coming for dinner but I'll dig out my notes and add our modified directions to this post.

If you want a "charming experience" you should stay with Karin and Hans ( http://www.haus-karin.de/)who are a German couple who live within a 5-minute walk outside of the wall. We live in Germany and have stayed with this older couple twice (one time Karin baked a Birthday cake for my husband's 30th). They have 5 extra bedrooms (from all of their kids) and serve a full breakfast in the morning. I think the cost was 22 Euro/person which is SUCH a deal. Karin is hilarious and speaks great English.

I've stayed at the Gasthof Butz twice in the last 4 years and highly recommend it. It's in the middle of the walled city. Parking is available in a large municipal lot in front. Our family of four stayed in the four bed room which cost less than $100 per night and included a delicious breakfast with rolls, meat and soft-boiled eggs. Half a block away is the town market square. If you pull up this webcam link, the Butz is just behind the buildings on the left.

http://www.rotabene.de/webcam/index_e.html


The Gasthof Butz website is:
http://www.butz.kreiselmeier.de/

I've received favorable comments for all the hotels you mentioned -
http://www.bensbauernhof.com/fzfrothenburg.html

I have personally stayed at the Greifen and the Glocke and recommend them both. However, if you are looking for a true bargain, I am with srice_53098 in recommending the immaculate Haus Karin just outside the wall in a very nice residential area. You can't beat the price nor the breakfast. I would put Karin's Frühstück up against any breakfast available in Rothenburg and she would be the clear winner. Just take a look at this display of wurst, cheese, rolls, spreads, cakes, etc - http://www.bensbauernhof.com/bb2004r...hauskarin8.jpg

http://www.bensbauernhof.com/hauskar...enburgodt.html

You really can't go wrong with any of those places you mentioned - Gasthof Greifen, Gerberhaus, Klosterstueble, or the Glocke - but Karin's place is tough to beat... Ben

We just returned from Germany and spent two nights at the Klosterstueble. Our rooms were in the older section and, while small, they were clean, nicely decorated and the baths were modern. The location is terrific and we couldn't beat the price...two nights plus a wonderful dinner was 170 euro. Having the restaurant with the hotel was nice. The men in our group spent the afternoon playing backgammon and drinking beer while the ladies had some retail therapy. The food was also good in the restaurant which was nice when we arrived at 8pm after a very long train ride. I can also recommend eating at the Glocke....be sure to do the wine tasting...

Many, many years ago I stayed at the Markusturm, the charming hotel that is in every picture of the gates into the town. Is it still around and thriving? I would imagine it not to be too expensive.

We were in Rothenburg about 6 years ago and wished we had stayed at the Klosterstuble, Markusturm or Berg Hotels. They were all very cute. We were cheapskates and stayed at a Rick Steves place.

MY

Great suggestions, saving for future reference. Barb

We stayed with Karin this past April, on bavariabens website recommendation, and it was the highlight of our 3 week trip.
Karin speaks excellent English and will pick up guests at the nearby train station.
We drove from Munich airport, following her instructions, and had no problems finding her place.
We rented her loft room for 3 nights It quite large and spotless
Her breakfast was outstanding.
The price can't be beat and it is but a short walk to town.

We've stayed at the Gasthof Greifen six or seven times in the past fifteen years, sometimes with our students and sometimes on our own. The Klingler family are gracious hosts, and the Greifen offers a perfect location; you can see the central square from the front windows. We prefer the rooms that face the street just above the restaurant, but at any rate, try to get a room in the older part. There are a few newer rooms in back where the parking is located. A filling and delicious breakfast is served, and we also usually eat our dinner meals in their restaurant. If you look in the Travel Album section of our web page and click on any of the Germany trips, there are probably some photos from the Greifen. Our last visit there was in March of 2004, but unfortunately, I've been too lazy to add the photos to the site yet. Have a great trip and enjoy your stay in Rothenburg.

W. A. Robison
www.warobison.com

3 years ago we stayed 2 nights at the Klosterstuble. It is a very charming place but we stayed in the "attic rooms" and the temps in July must have been 120f. Be mindful that there are no hotels in Rothenberg that I know of (inside the walls) that have a/c. Even the premier Hotel Eisenhut. It can be very hot in the summer in Germany and not many "charming places" have a/c. Bear in mind also, that these hotels are in no way luxury hotels and many attempt to convert the attics into hotel rooms. That being said, the town of Rothenberg is adorable and should not be missed on a Germany itinerary, but the hotels, due to the fact they are in a historic/medieval setting leave something to be desired. I think our experience would have been better had we not visited in the middle of summer. Do not miss the Night Watchman Tour - it was great.

Another vote for Haus Karin-a remarkable woman who has boundless energy and a temperament perfect for hosting. Enjoy!!!

We stayed in the Klosterstuble in May and loved it. We had a great room and loved the location. I would definitely stay again.

Tracy

Forgot to mention that the Klosterstuble had one of the best breakfasts I've had on a trip - it was a wonderful spread!

Tracy

We have been going to Rothenburg since 1970 and my Army days stationed in Germany. My one piece of advice is to stay within the walls of the city no matter what hotel you select. This makes it possible to store the rental car and walk around the town at night. You have to do the Night Watchman's Tour that leaves around 8pm and is in English.

A few hotels we have used:

MARKUSTURM: Very scenic. Rooms 120 and 121 are primo. You will see photos of this hotel and its location in every German travel book. Great location also near the town square.

REICHS KUCHENMEISTER: Located next to St Jacobs Church near the town square. The church bells will awake you in the morning. Stay in the old building for the ambiance. The restaurant is very good for casual dining and the wine stube is fun to enjoy a drink. Don't miss the spider window on the door leading to the cellar in the main lobby. Great window!

BURG HOTEL: Located off the beaten track but nice people and nice rooms. I think they are associated with the owners of the MARKUSTURM.

We have also stayed at the GREIFFEN years ago. I consider it nice, but pretty basic. The other three places above have more "charm".