ga9497

we are planning a trip to southern germany this summer (July)

Is it necessary to look for hotels with air conditioning or can we get away without it.

Thanks

_jinx_

It can get hot in Bavaria in the summer (85-90 degrees F.). Thus it can be uncomfortable in hotels.

One thing we have done is to purchase an oscillating (rotating) fan that will cool you during the night. You can pick on up for less than $20. Use it while in Europe--then give it to someone when you leave. Saves having to worry about seeking an air-conditioned hotel.

Regards,

Jinx Hoover

uncle_sam

I was in Munich for Octoberfest 1999 and it was still in the mid to upper 80's. We had trouble getting a hotel so we had to settle for one right across the street from the Hauptbahnhof. The problem...no AC.

So I had to make a decision for three nights..either open the windows and be somewhat cooler and hear the noise form the train station until 3 AM or close the wondow and burn up but have some quiet.

Find a hotel with AC just in case or find a hotel in a very quiet place!

US

CharlieB

ga - in the larger cities such as Munich I would definitely opt for A/C, as the concrete canyons tend to make the environment warmer and noise at night limits an "open window" policy. However, in the higher alpine altitudes and in the smaller villages evening and night time temeratures are usually quite comfortable, enough so that you will appreciate a big feather bed. As soon as I say this you will experience the worst heat wave in European history! Play the odds - and good luck!

RufusTFirefly

We experienced one of the worst heat waves in Germany last June--and we did lose a couple of night's sleep. Stayed up drinking cold beer and wine chatting with others who couldn't get to sleep.

Travelnick

Agree with others re: pref for ac in the cities - not such a big deal in country. But most cheaper and/or older hotels do not have them. You could as an alternative seek out hotels with windows overlooking a garden courtyard - some such hotels exist in Munich in areas for example near the Deutsche Museum near the Isar River. Or hotels next to Englischer Garten - there are a couple of pensions. At least the air will be fresher and you will get quieter rooms. Around HAuptbahnhof will not offer this.

EmilyC

We've travelled to Germany over 30 times in the last 25 years. We are hikers, so much of the time has been spent in southern Germany. My experience with "air conditioning" in hotels in this area tells me that it is just not the same as in the US. If you do get a hotel with air, generally, it's nothing like the cool temps that we prefer in the states. I have never had a room with AC that allowed me to sleep with the windows closed.
So, we generally stay in more rural areas so that we can have quieter nites since we know that the windows will be open!
If I was going to stay in the cities, then, I would be careful to pick something in a quieter area...in Munich around the English Gardens, and in Salzburg closer to the outside of the city.