zgjdenver

We would like to stay one night in a castle on the Rhine in the middle of October. We are looking at the Reichenstein and the Leibenstein because the cost is so much more reasonable. We could splurge on the Schoenburg or Rudesheimer but the cost is significantly more and we need 2 double rooms for our family. Of course this assumes that we can even get reservations. What are your opinions? Also, if we go with the Leibenstein it is much further north. How long would it take us to travel there from say Rudesheim or Bingen where we would like to take a short river cruise? Thanks for your help.

traveller1959

Do you mean "Liebenstein"? This is far away from the Rhein, so forget it. "Leibenstein" I do not know.

Reichenstein has a very good location. The ships dock 700m from the hotel. Both Bingen (5 km) and Rüdesheim (across the river) are close.

Rheinfels is certainly the better hotel, but a little more expensive. See http://www.schloss-rheinfels.de/

zgjdenver

Thanks for the response. Castle Liebenstein is in Kamp-Bornhofen and it indicates it is 15 km north of Lorelei Rock. I did get a response back from Reichenstein and they have availability for a great price. I just worry because I do want to have a good castle experience.

traveller1959

I have found Liebenstein. The hotel is on the same level as Reichenstein but the location is somewhat remote. Reichenstein is more in the midst of things.

zgjdenver

Thanks, I got a reply back on the Reichenstein and though we can stay there their restaurant and reception are closed that night. We could arrive before 3pm but I'm not sure it is a good idea. By the way do you know how I can figure out where the bridges are across the Rhine. Google is not giving me an answer.

traveller1959

Use www.viamichelin.de or www.viamichelin.com

Enter country and city (e.g. Bingen).

It displays a map.

Use the zoom function and you will see bridges (there is no bridge in your area) and, more important, ferries.

zgjdenver

Thank you so much. You are so right - no bridges. How easy are the ferries to use? Do you know if they run in evening during the week?

zgjdenver

I requested reservation information from the Schloss Rheinfels in St. Goar. The response shows availability but at what appears to me to be their max rate. The website shows 125-175 euros for the class of room offered in our timeframe. They offered it to us at the 175 euro rate. My question is, is there an acceptable way to ask for a better rate? Or should I give up on this category of lodging?

MarkvonKramer

So, Reichenstein's restaurant and reception are closed the day you want to stay but they say you CAN stay there that night? What's the problem? There'll be plenty of places to eat in the vicinity and you can pay upon checkout. Or did I mis-read your post and you can NOT stay there for THAT night?

The Place in St. Goar is a fabulous location. Look at their website for their lowest rate and make an offer ($$) for the room size you want and hope for the best. I was successful with this approach earlier this year, but the price difference wasn't as great as you have indicated.

Let us know how things work out for you. The area is fantastic!

MvK

pef1234

We've stayed at Reichenstein many times and at auf Schoenburg several times. Hands down, Schoenburg will give you a more 'authentic' castle stay feeling with furnishings and period decor that is more lavish. Their in-house restaurant is superb, also. Thus the somewhat higher cost.

Be aware that when you stay at Reichenstein you are not actually staying in the main old castle building but rather a nearby more recent building that has more contemporary furnishings etc. even though the building itself has been built in the same style as the old castle which is now strictly a castle museum. The main castle museum building is gated and you need to pay an admission to tour the castle. Opening hours are sometimes limited at the whim of the gate keeper!

We have also stayed at the Rudesheimer Schloss, and whereas it is right there in the heart of the action on the Drosselgasse in Rudesheim, it is not the place you want to stay if you want a 'castle ambience'. It doesn't in any way have a 'castle' appearance and is wall-to-wall with surrounding vanilla buildings. It is indeed a very nice hotel but everything about it is super contemporary from the reception to the room furnishings. The building was severely damaged during the war and when it was rebuilt they went the modern route rather than the restoration route.

The best way to get from either Reichenstein, at Trechtingshausen or Schoenburg, at Oberwesel, is to go the few minutes back to Bingen and take the ferry across to Rudesheim. It crosses several times each hour and only takes a few minutes, docking right at Rudesheim. One caveat . . . if you use the ferry be sure to ask what time the last ferry leaves in the evening to take you back to the Bingen side of the river. If you miss that departure you'll have to drive about 30 miles via the nearest bridge near Wiesbaden to get back to Reichenstein or Oberwesel.

Fernweh

We stayed at the Rheinfels Hotel, the ruins of the original castle are on site and very interesting to see. However the rooms that guests are staying in are in a modern out-building, which is not part of the castle. The hotel tends to cater more to conventions than tourists. The view of the Rhine valley from the rooms and restaurant are spectacular but it is priced accordingly.

zgjdenver

Thank you so much. This gives me a good idea of what I am getting into. Sounds like the Reichenstein won't really give me the castle experience I am looking for. I got a response back from the Leibenstein and they can accomodate the four of us for 195 euros including breakfast. They have their 'day off' that day so we could check in at 6 pm and then their restaurant would also be open. What I am thinking of is arriving in Rudesheim or Bingen before noon, doing a 2 hour cruise up the Rhine and then taking the train back down, stopping to enjoy the towns along the way. Then we could cross over and drive up to the castle to have dinner and spend the night. What do you think?
The next morning we plan to head over to the Mosel, see Burg Eltz and then wine probe our way down towards Zell or Bernkastle for the night. Am I cramming to much in or do you think it will work without to much stress?
Thanks so much for all your input.

MarkvonKramer

zgjdenver,

Have you considered the Hostel in Bacharach? It may be worth a look. I know little about it other than the location and that it is in an old castle, but understand they have family-style rooms. You'd save a ton of money and have a very nice place to stay.

MvK

zgjdenver

MvK, I will give it a look. zgj

artstuff

Here's a list of all the Rhine ferries with the km notation and the towns served.

* Stromkilometer 528: Autofähre Bingen ↔ Rüdesheim

* Stromkilometer 539: Rheinfähre Lorch ↔ Niederheimbach

* Stromkilometer 546: Rheinfähre Kaub ↔ Engelsburg

* Stromkilometer 556: Autofähre St. Goar ↔ St. Goarshausen

* Stromkilometer 566: Rheinfähre Bornhofen ↔ Bad Salzig

* Stromkilometer 570: Rheinfähre Filsen ↔ Boppard

* Stromkilometer 592: Rheinfähre Koblenz ↔ Ehrenbreitstein

* Stromkilometer 623: Autofähre Bad Hönningen ↔ Bad Breisig

* Stromkilometer 624: Personenfähre Bad Hönningen ↔ Bad Breisig

* Stromkilometer 630: Autofähre Linz ↔ Kripp

* Stromkilometer 634: Personenfähre Erpel ↔ Remagen

* Stromkilometer 640: Autofähre Bad Honnef ↔ Rolandseck[[1]]

* Stromkilometer 645: Autofähre Königswinter ↔ Bonn-Bad Godesberg (Ortsteil Mehlem)

* Stromkilometer 648: Autofähre Königswinter-Niederdollendorf ↔ Bonn-Bad Godesberg (Ortsteil Plittersdorf)

* Stromkilometer 655: Personenfähre Bonn-Beuel ↔ Bonn

Credit Russ at the following link:

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...2&tid=34934755

We'll be spending two nights in St. Goar, 12-14 October. Maybe we'll see you there.

Robyn >-

zgjdenver

Thanks, that is a great help. I see I have several options for crossing around my hotel if I stay at the Liebenstein which I am leaning toward. I'll visit the site to learn more. Any recommendations on a short river cruise - maybe 2 hours? Thanks, zgjd

Cindywho

Were you able to find any reviews of the Liebenstein?

zgjdenver

Yes I did and they sounded good. From this site:
Author: Bon1
Date: 07/23/2007, 12:03 am
We actually ended up staying at one of the two feuding brothers' castles up on the cliff (supposedly a dispute over a woman) and loved it Castle Liebenstein. Every bit of the decor is thoughtfully done (even the baby cannon pointing to the brother's castle - great whimsy. We stayed in a room in the tower (14th century, I believe) The proprietor and proprietress were very helpful with sorting out logistics of driving to their town, taking the Rhine boat ride, and then getting to their castle.
It seems like I have seen at least one other recommendation but can't put my hands on it right now. The website looks nice if you can tell anything from a website. But I am hopefull for a good experience. zgjd

MarkvonKramer

We did a short trip from Bacharach to St. Goar, less than an hour but for our needs it fit perfectly. You can go another stop or so farther north if cruise length is your primary requirement.

This may not be the best option as you have chosen to stay on the other side of the Rhein. If you're going to other places in Germany, you might want to look elsewhere for the "castle stay". I have read reviews about Burg Colmberg that have piqued my interest and will try it on some future trip.

http://www.burg-colmberg.de/index_e.html

It's located just east of Rothenburg.

MvK

Ange1889

Did you stay at the Liebenstein after all? I am looking into having a castle experience too . but the Auf Sch is booked during my stay .. could you please le me know if it worked for you or any one since then?