I'm looking for a hotel for our family-- we will be 4 so either 2 rooms or (better) a family room. Would like it to have AC, need wifi, free breakfast preferred but not required, clean, views of the Rhine, have parking but be accessible to the train (and in a "lively" area so stores/restaurants/things to do). I also would like it to be quaint and cozy (love the idea of a castle hotel but the one I looked up was too "dorm looking". My hubby is use to the 5 star modern hotel treatment (we compromised and he gets Munich/Salzburg/Vienna Le Meridian). However, I don't want him to freak out (example: I had to tell him two years ago to relax and breath when he found out we were staying in an apartment in Rome... turned out to be a great experience - after we got rid of the ants but he was not in his element because of the absence of housekeeping. I admit I enjoyed watching him freak out lol... I'm going on a tangent...

Hotel recommendations on the Rhine Valley? Won't break an arm and leg? (I'm also more frugal than he is).

A/C and 4/5-star = a tall order in the smaller Rhine towns. Filter for A/C at booking.com or wherever and see what comes up. You may find something in Wiesbaden, Mainz, Koblenz (the larger cities in this area) or maybe Rüdesheim but not necessarily something that also meets the other criteria you've laid out.

This type of hotel is normally out of my price range and I actually dislike air conditioning; so no first hand experience.

I did note some riverside hotels in Boppard had at least a 4 star rating and some air conditioned rooms. Take a look at this one.

http://www.bellevue-boppard.de/en/

From Boppard it is an easy train ride to any number of castles and other Rhine sights. Boppard is large enough to have a some shopping and restaurants as well.

We stayed at the Hotel Ohm Patt in Boppard. The owner/manager John is terrific and they had a wonderful breakfast. There is a small hotel bar and a lounge. Not 4 or 5 star but definitely nice atmosphere.

http://tinyurl.com/jhq86mr
(that is the booking.com link, which is more informative)

I also generally recommend Boppard because it is a nice size town with enough to do to keep all members of the family busy.

Ohm Patt: " Not 4 or 5 star but definitely nice atmosphere." No A/C either AFAIK. Nor at the Bellevue AFAIK but it's worth inquiring about that.

Agree that Boppard is an excellent choice for many good reasons, including train connections, proximity to Marksburg, Rheinfels and Burg Eltz castles, and a nice variety of hotels and places to eat.

Thanks! The Bellevue is perfect and I've booked it.