I'm going to Germany This Sept-Oct (Cologne, Mainz, Rothenberg, Fussen, Munich)and an having trouble finding a hotel in Mainz near the Dom. I'd love to stay at the Hilton on the Rhein, but it's already sold out for the dates I'm looking for (Sept 27-29). Any suggestions?

In September of 1988, my mother and I stayed at Hotel Schottenhof, which is up a side street across from the Hauptbahnhof in Mainz. It was our last day in Germany, and in the late afternoon we walked from Schottenhof down to the K-D dock on the Rhein, then went in and saw the Dom. I can't remember how far it was, but my mother was 72 at the time, so it couldn't have been too far.

There are three hotels (Hammer, Schottenhof, and Königshof in the area across from the Mainz Bahnhof. Of the three, I would recommend Königshof (www.hotel-koenigshof-mainz.de). If you are leaving from the airport the next morning, it is just a short S-bahn trip to FRA.

Near the Dom: Hof Ehrenfels (just behind the Dom) and the Ibis are cheaper alternatives. I've stayed at the Ibis there - basic, but pleasant. It is a nice walk from there down the best street in Mainz - the Augustinerstrasse - and just 1.5 blocks away from the Mainz Roemisches Theater train station (not the main station.) The places Larry mentions are a bit further our but are close to the main train station; it's just that the area around the main station isn't quite as atmospheric as the area near the Dom.

Beware of Ibis. Their prices only appear to be lower. While almost every traditional German hotel includes breakfast with your room, Ibis omits it and charges €9,50 (almost $13) per person extra. If you are leaving in the morning without time to have breakfast, then why pay for it, but if not, you really get socked for it.

Thanks. I've seen the name of the Hof Ehrenfels, but I don't know anything about it. Is it reputable, clean, etc?

I love the Hyatt in Mainz. It is on the Rhine River.