Oberammergau or Fuessen?
 

Last summer we enjoyed our stay in Berchtesgaden, but avoided Oberammergau and going to Neuschwanstein because of the Passion Play crowds. Now we want to go back to that area. For a stay of three or four days of exploring, which town would be the better base? We want to stay right in a village with lots of restaurants, evening "entertainment", etc., not in a country "inn". Specific ideas for 3 or 4 star charming hotels would also be welcomed.

Garmish.

Ditto on Garmisch/Partenkirchen... Close drive to Linderhoff and Oberammergau from there and not too far from Neuschwanstein

Definetly stay in Garmish. Close to everything!

Wow, did all you people get together and vote or something? I really haven't heard much about Garmish, except then when I brought up one of the regional hotel sites, there were a lot of listings for there. Sounds like three out of three makes for a good bet. Any specific hotel suggestions?

patrick, I do not agree. I find Ober. to be the best location for the area and also very charming. Search and find the town web site for hotels, but I do recall The Wittelsbach where we stayed, The Post Hotel, and a smaller one with good food called Zur Rose.

We'll be staying at the Hotel Turmwirt in Oberammergau. Looks very nice and recommended in Karen Brown's book.

Did not find Fuessen particularly attractive but thought the little hamlet of Eisenberg-Zell one of the most beautiful places we have ever been. It does not meet your criteria for nightlife and restaurants. The only entertainment is hiking on paths in wildflower meadows with snow covered Alps in the background and watching/hearing the parade of cows w/ bells being led through the village in the morning. We stayed at Burghotel Baren- very nice and economical w/ delicious food. I think nearby Der Magnushof may be a little more upscale.

Patrick, Garmisch is definitely your place if you're looking for entertainment in the evening... it is a fairly good size town and does have several attractive areas. If, however, you want to stay more out of an urban area, then you should look to Oberammergau (and its neighbor Ettal) or Fussen. Garmisch is busier than Berchtesgaden. Oberammergau has lots of restaurants, also lots of tourists and tourist shops. The bypass highway has cut down on a lot of traffic noise in the primary hotels. If you want atmosphere, I'd recommend the Post Hotel in Garmisch, right in the city center; the Blaue Gams in Ettal (in a meadow behind the monastary, so off the highway that runs between/through Ettal and Oberammergau yet still in the middle of town); the Gasthof Rubezahl in Schwangau or the Schlosshotel Lisl in Fussen. BTW, Fussen is also pretty overrun with tourists (but isn't that what we all are??), which is why I kind of like Schwangau, esp. the Rubezahl, which, like Blaue Gams,is gasthaus-type accommodations (i.e., Bavarian style buildings with wide balconies and light oak woodwork/furnishings) which are 3-4 star hotels with gemutlichkeit. Check the websites www.lisl.de; www.neuschwanstein-hotel.com; www.ettal.de (click on ubernachtung for a list of hotels); www.clausings-posthotel.de. Some ideas... your choice. Post back of you have questions.

Have stayed in Oberammergau & it's very nice but no evening entertainment. Fuessen is very congested for such a small town, but more to do. Garmisch has the most going on for night life.For what you want, I agree that Garmisch probably fits the best. Also,to get the full enjoyment of Neuschwanstein & the beautiful valley that it's in, I'd suggest staying at least 1 night at the above-mentioned Hotel Rubezahl in Schwangau. I stayed there last fall and they have a great chef. <BR>

In Garmisch don't miss the Partnachklamm. It's a really cool gorge you can walk through and is beautiful! It's on the edge of town by the old Olympic ski jump.

This may not be what you are looking for, but perhaps someone else looking for a hotel in this area may enjoy it. <BR>My wife and I spent 2 weeks in Bavaria in 1998, and we stayed at the Jaegerhaus in Hohenschwangau. As you know, that town is very touristy (understandibly so), but in early May, the crowds disapear after 5:00 PM. If you ever have a chance, choose the corner room on the second floor: out the side window you have one Ludwig castle, and out the front window, you have Neuschwanstein! It was spectacular, espeially at nite when Neuschwanstein was lit up. The room, by the way, was quite large. We were scheduled to stay there for only 2 nites, but because of the view, we stayed 3! <BR>It was one of the most interesting and romantic views of the many European hotels we have stayed at. <BR> <BR>P.S.: Garmisch is a very large town (had breakfast there on the way to the Zugspitz), and would probably have a variety of nite-life and restaurants. <BR>Fussen is quite a bit smaller. All are easy drives from each other and from Oberammergau and Ettal. <BR>

Have you considered staying at a German farmhouse bed & breakfast (bauernhof)? I will be staying at one in Garmisch in late April based on recommendations from others. It costs 80 DM (about $40) per night for a double room with bathroom and free breakfast and I hear it's very nice. Check out "Ben's Bauernhof" website for all kinds of ideas: http://oasis.fortunecity.com/montego/267 <BR> <BR>It will give you great ideas!

Füssen is overrun and all. I find the Hotel Hirsch to be very nice. For a while a few years ago it was going downhill, but it picked up and is doing well. They are doing some heavy renovation there.

Thanks all, I think Garmish looks like the place and probably the Post Hotel which looks very nice on the web site. By "entertainment" I was really just referring to a town large enough to stroll a street or two at night after dinner and having a choice of places to eat, perhaps have a beer or two, and maybe enjoy some music as we wander around. That doesn't sound like Schwangau. The B&B or farmhouse idea does not appeal, nor does the country inn idea. I don't even like staying in homes with friends or relatives, and I certainly don't enjoy staying in homes of total strangers. Sorry, folks, I know a lot of you do, but not me. Give me a nice atmospheric smallish hotel any time, and an ability to go out and wander, not be stuck inside all evening or drive somewhere.

Question : <BR> <BR>I saw a couple of suggestions on staying close to Neuchwanstein. I may be going there in March. I'll be taking the train. Will I be able to find transportation from Fuessen to Schwangau or Hohenschwangau ? I think Al suggested the Jaegerjaus in Hohenschwangau and RDF suggested the Rubezal. <BR> <BR>Chitra

My partner and I are going to this area in a few weeks. I was looking into the Post Hotels, but don't speak German and their e-mail isn't in English. Do you have one that is? If so, I would very much appreciate it. I loved your reply about not staying with strangers, my boyfriend feels the same although I've stayed in pensions and loved them. Thanks in advance for any help you provide.

Patrick, ditto on Garmish. It is larger and would have more nightlife. The Post Hotel is right in the middle of town and when I was there last I thought that it was very charming. Garmish is a very easy drive to Oberammergau, Fussan, the Weis Church and Linderhof. You can also take a ride up to the Zugspitch(sp) and there is a charming little lake (the Emerald see) close. It is a beautiful area of Germany. Wish I were going with. <BR>Regards <BR>Art <BR>

Sheryl, <BR>Go to: <BR>http://www.reisen-mit-preisen.de/rmp...sh/framee.html <BR> <BR>The website is in English. Type in the name of the town you're interested in staying in. The next window will list all of the inns and pensions in the town. Click on the inn of your interest where you'll find costs and amenities. Click on the button at the bottom left of the frame to make your queries in English. <BR> <BR>