My family of 4 will be in this area for 2 nights in late June. Of those 3 which would you recommend we get a hotel in?<BR><BR>Do you have specific suggestions of a hotel that can get 4 in a room?<BR><BR>Thanks!

Hi--I have visited all 3 of these cities and I would base myself in Garmisch as it is the best situated. You can take the train to Mittenwald in about 20 minutes and I imagine there is train survice to Oberammergau also. I don't know of a hotel in Garmisch off-hand that would have a room for 4 people but there is tons of info on Garmisch on the internet, including listings and descriptions of all the hotels if you just do a search on google or whatever search engine you like. In Garmisch be sure to go up to the Zugspite, Germany's tallest mountain at nearly 10,000 feet. Mittenwald is a cute town but tiny, not much to do except enjoy the pretty downtown and hike to the different lakes. Linderhof castle is near Garmisch too if that is something that interests you. I have lived in Germany for 2 years now so feel free to post again if you have more questions. Hope you enjoy Germany, we really love it!

I agree that Garmisch, actually Garmisch-Partenkirchen since it's a combined city, would afford you the most options both for travel to other places in the area and for hotels. We stayed many years ago in a zimmer called the Haus Helga where we had an apartment of two bedrooms with a shared bath that would be perfect for a family. It was on the upper floor of a house that rented a couple of rooms to guests as so many German families do. it had a balcony with a view of the zugspitze. Unfortunately I have no phone or fax info but we booked it through a booking service just down the street from the trainstation that had many such private places listed. Though I've never stayed in their rooms, I've eaten in the Fraundendorfer that is advertised in guidebooks to have family rooms. It's a very cute, very Bavarian place with lots of locals who sit at communale tables and drink huge steins of beer and eat copious portions of kraut and pork. Has band and german dancing and even alpine horns. Your kids would love it. I'd imagine the rooms to be very reasonable, clean and unfussy. We have also stayed at a place that has changed hands many times and is currently called Alpina, on the main street of the Partenkirchen part of Garmisch-Partenkirchen. Don't know if they have rooms for four, but they could certainly get you two rooms next to each other. Basic, twin beds with feather comforters and a great rooftop pool. You'll love GAP.

Bill,<BR>I sent you an Email a day or so ago. I've received a number of error messages for Emails sent. Don't know whether mine to you was one that didn't get through. I don't find any of the three towns to be particularly central to the sights of Upper Bavaria; check your map for Steingaden; much more centrally located and with a number of inns that can accommodate four. So, too, Hohenfurch, on the Romantic Road just north of Schongau.

I have been to this area many times...just did it again in November. I would recommend Garmisch as your base for exploring. We have used the Hotel Hilleprandt many times and enjoy it. It is located in a quiet neighborhood near the city of Garmisch. The rooms are reasonable and very clean. You may be able to get one for 4 or two for 2 each.

As the above poster mentioned, the Hotel Fraundorfer in the Partenkirchen part of the combined towns is often recommended. I stayed there in June and suspect they could accommodate your group.

I would probably stay in Garmisch too, as a base. However, Garmisch is a little too commercialized for my taste. There is a Wendy's, McDonald's, American Steak House, etc. in the town. But, you can get to so many other places easily from the trainstation (bahnhof) in Garmisch. When I was there I took a tour of Oberammergau and Neuschwanstein Castle. I stayed at the Hotel Bernriderhof, which was nice because it is at the "end" of the town and was quiet. The rooms at the front have have balconies and absolutely astounding views on the Alps. In the morning, the sound of cows (cowbells), being driven to the fields, woke me up. It was better than an alarm clock!

We LOVE Oberammergau! We spent two weeks there a few years ago and would go back in a flash. Garmish was too developed for our tastes but Oberammergau is a beautiful small town. <BR>Although it gets its share of tourists during the day, at night it seems to clear out and become a "real" town.<BR><BR>We rented a wonderful apartment from the owner of the Zur Rose Guesthouse. It was beautiful and convenient to everything. They have a number of apartments throughout the town and they are available on a daily basis as well as a weekly basis. The Zur Rose Guesthouse is also a nice place to stay and has an EXCELLENT restaurant. <BR><BR>I honestly can't say enough about how much we enjoyed Oberammergau --- we can't wait to get back there.<BR><BR>If you want to learn more about Oberammergau, go to www.oberammergau.de, the town's web page (click on british flag for english version).<BR><BR>Zur Rose Apartments www.hotel-oberammergau.de/fewo-e.htm<BR>Peter Stueckl owner - [email protected], phone 49 088224706<BR><BR>Enjoy!<BR>Carolyn

I've made about 6 trips to this area & prefer Oberammergau as a central location.....just a cute little town to walk around in with lots of shops that specialize in woodcarvings, good restaurants, & a wide variety of hotels. The only way to see this part of Bavaria is by car... Linderhof Castle is just outside of town, and Neuschwanstein Castle & the Weis Church are less than an hour away. Mittenwald is also nice, but is not as centrally located to the major attractions. Garmisch...too big & commercialized for me.

Another vote for Garmisch. Much more to do than either other location.

Garmisch-Partenkirchen is my choice as well. Here's the info on Gasthof Fraundorfer (check out their picture on the internet). We stayed there last summer and it can certainly accommodate 4 people. Very charming place!<BR><BR>Gasthof Fraundorfer<BR>Ludwigstrasse 24<BR>D-82467<BR>Garmisch-Partenkirchen<BR>011-49-8821-92-70<BR>Fax: 011-49-8821-9-27-99<BR>www.gasthof-fraundorfer.de<BR>[email protected]

If those are the only 3 possibilities that you are set on - my choice would be Oberammergau. However - I would be more likely to find a place in the F&uuml;ssen/Schwangau area or anywhere north of there along the Romantic road. There are plenty of Gasth&ouml;fe and farms in that area that offer small apartments or Mehrbettzimmers which would easily accommodate your group of four. You might find something that appeals to you here - http://www.bavariaben.com/farmsschwangau.html

Hi Bill,<BR>I also would take G.-P. as your hub to go to all the other villages.<BR>Don't forget to visit the convent of "Ettal" and further on the "Linderhof" (from king Ludwig like NewSwanstein too, but not that big, much smaller and kinda treasurable thing).<BR>My suggestion would be hotel "Eibsee" on the foot of the mountain "Zugspitze" at a lake located, it's abit outside Garmisch but trains and buses running the whole day.<BR>Check out for these websites:<BR>http://www.btl.de/oberbayern<BR>http://www.pfaffenwinkel.com<BR>http://www.starnberger-fuenf-seen-land.de<BR><BR>That covers all the area between Munich and Mittenwald.<BR>More info needed ?<BR>Shain/eu/de/d&uuml;sseldorf<BR>P.S.: I have lived close to Starnberg/Murnau(between mnich/Garmisch)<BR>

We stayed 3 nights in G-P several years ago. Very central to visit the area, especially if you have a car. We did Neuschwanstein on the way to G-P from Munich, an indirect route, but great drive. Day 1 we went to Mittenwald and rode the tram too, after lunch returned to G-P and hiked the Partinkirchen Gorge. Day 2 hiked up the Hollental Gorge, before dinner drove to see the Die Weis Church. On our departure (up the Romantic Road) stopped and toured Linderhof. Stayed at small B&B in G-P, Haus Hollental.

My husband and I JUST returned from a 9 day (actually 7 days in country, 2 days for travel) from Garmisch. Got back two days ago (22 FEB 02). First time European travelers. <BR><BR>We based in Garmisch the whole time and just took in the sights in the area. We visited: Oberammergau, Mittenwald, Munich, Ettal, Innsbruck (Austria), the castles (3 in the area), Zugspitze (tallest peak in Germany) and endless churches and cathedrals. You will find things to do, the country is gorgeous. Do the castles, they are awesome. Munich was fun, try to go during the weekend via train. The rates are cheaper (either Saturday or Sunday) for 21 EUROS, up to five people go for the day ROUND trip. Any other time, you will pay a lot. Talk with a train station representative, they mostly speak English, for questions, when you arrive.<BR><BR>Our transportation was all bus and train. Free bus service (supposedly) in Garmisch. We walked alot. We had a great time. Wished we went to Salzburg (two day separate trip). <BR><BR>There is a train that goes through Oberammergau. The best way to find a hotel is jump on the internet. I found one that way, reserved online and was able to find prices and compare easily.<BR><BR>Hotels want your business. If you can find a hotel that includes breakfast as part of th cost, do it. Saves on the budget. <BR><BR>The hotel we stayed in housed 2 of us.<BR><BR>If you have questions, email me. I used this forum to answer many of my questions before I departed. <BR><BR>Auf Wiedersehen!<BR>Tracy

Hi Bill:<BR><BR>I love G/P What a wonderful area! I have stayed in many places, and the Fauendorfer was one of them. Vey clean and you cannot beat that resturant for food and fun. Ask for one of the rooms in the back of the hotel, I think it is a newer section. BavarianBen's website is a great place to get some ideas. Check out the 'trips' section<BR><BR>JOHN