I am thinking of staying in Zell at the Weinhaus Mayer as it looks good on the site and they have balconies overlooking the river at a good price. Zell and the hotel are recommended by Rick Steves and I've had great success with his recs on all my trips.

I was also thinking of Beilstein at the Lippman but I don't think they have balconies. I've read lots of positive posts on it though.

Has anyone stayed at Weinhaus Mayer? Is Zell a good location to explore the Mosel area for a couple of days?

Zell is good. Like almost all Mosel towns, it lies along a nice bike path that connects to other towns. I actually prefer Bullay, just a few km downstream, for its good train connections, its ferry over to Alf across the river, and the hiking oppportunities (Burg Arras, Marienburg) but Zell is good too. No train service there - take your car or plan on a bus ride into Bullay.

I was not impressed at all with Zell when we went a few years ago. I liked Cochem, Beilstein and Berbkastel-Kues much, much better. Zell looked more than a little "worn."

We loved Haus Lippman. They don't have balconies (but all or most of the rooms have Mosel views), and their restaurant's patio is a great place to drink wine or other libations.

That, of course, would be Bernkastel-Kues.

We loved Hotel Haus Lippmann.

OK, thanks for the info everyone!

Any others?

We liked Cochem and stayed here.

http://www.pension-hendriks.de/

Read our trip report here.

http://www.slowtrav.com/tr/triprepor...59&index=0

We stay four nights in Haus Lipmann last May. Was a delightful place. No balconeys, but had great view from the room. Food was very good. Only draw back is they don't serve beer because it is wine country. David and his family are very pleasant and helpful. We had to leave early because of a death in the family and David helped get air reservations changed and worked the telephone for us.

Think a few of the rooms don't have river views so ask for one if you stay there. Rick Steves says they have the best patio on the Mosel and it is great.

Beilstein is tiny and postcard like. Easy in and out and was a good base. Is deserted at night or was in May. Drove through Zell and wasn't impressed.

Have a good trip.