Stuttgart Advice Needed, Please
Oct 7th, 2009, 07:43 PM
#21
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Kavey, The rooms are structurally more modern at Le Meridien no matter how much the Graf tried to update their rooms. That said the Graf deluxe rooms are larger than the Meridien rooms while the Graf superior rooms are quite comfortable and not cramped at all. You can always upgrade if you feel that it's not good enough.
I have stayed in both hotels twice and now prefer the Graf hands down for its better location. 165 euro was exactly the regular rate that I paid last November. Breakfast on the second floor dining room was nothing to write home about though the restaurant personable staff made a very good impression on us every morning (small talk & smiles). You may enjoy taking your camera out to the downtown bakeries/cafes for breakfast. The hotel small cafe/stube on the first floor also has good food & friendly personable service. Honestly the entire hotel staff gave a lot of personal attention. Le Meridien was also very nice, corporate nice. I think you'll be fine at the Graf.
I have stayed in both hotels twice and now prefer the Graf hands down for its better location. 165 euro was exactly the regular rate that I paid last November. Breakfast on the second floor dining room was nothing to write home about though the restaurant personable staff made a very good impression on us every morning (small talk & smiles). You may enjoy taking your camera out to the downtown bakeries/cafes for breakfast. The hotel small cafe/stube on the first floor also has good food & friendly personable service. Honestly the entire hotel staff gave a lot of personal attention. Le Meridien was also very nice, corporate nice. I think you'll be fine at the Graf.
Oct 7th, 2009, 11:41 PM
#22
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Thanks Dax!
For our stay, the first night is 195 and the second night is 135 as it's the date at which their prices drop, maybe for the season, not sure.
I will ask to see the room first, when we check in, that sometimes has the effect of them giving a good one, and if not I can ask about changing or upgrading.
We didn't bother pre-booking breakfast because we figured we could find a nice coffee shop locally (we did the same thing on a recent weekend away in Bristol) and if we did fancy the hotel option, it would cost the same paid on the day. (There was no discount on breakfast for the inclusive rate). So we probably will find some nice pastries outside!
Thank you again for your kind advice, much appreciated! Will let you know what we thought when we get back!
For our stay, the first night is 195 and the second night is 135 as it's the date at which their prices drop, maybe for the season, not sure.
I will ask to see the room first, when we check in, that sometimes has the effect of them giving a good one, and if not I can ask about changing or upgrading.
We didn't bother pre-booking breakfast because we figured we could find a nice coffee shop locally (we did the same thing on a recent weekend away in Bristol) and if we did fancy the hotel option, it would cost the same paid on the day. (There was no discount on breakfast for the inclusive rate). So we probably will find some nice pastries outside!
Thank you again for your kind advice, much appreciated! Will let you know what we thought when we get back!
Oct 19th, 2009, 03:00 AM
#23
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Just to pop back and say thank you for your advice about the Graf Zeppelin. We had a good stay.
On arrival, I checked about our bed preferences and also booked a massage for that evening (my back was killing me). The receptionist was extremely helpful. Once we got to our room I noticed there was no tub, so rang down and asked if it would be possible to switch to one. The same lady explained that not many of their rooms had tubs but would see what she could do. She was able to find us a room, with tub plus other requirements and sent someone up to take us to the new room.
A bit dated, as expected, but perfectly comfortable, quiet, clean and enough space for our needs.
And the location, as you said, was perfect. Even more so as, due to various things, we ended up coming into Stuttgart via train, not car. So it really helped to be so close to the station.
In the end, I was really poorly - a cold/cough I'd had for a week before we went just got worse and worse and by the time we arrived in Stuttgart at the end of our trip, it was a full blown chest infection. A quick trip to a pharmacy, plus my own travel medkit and I spent the entire time in bed.
I would certainly stay here again, were I to need a place in Stuttgart, and recommend it to others. Rooms may not be as modern or spacious as others, but the staff really were very friendly and helpful and the location couldn't be beaten.
On arrival, I checked about our bed preferences and also booked a massage for that evening (my back was killing me). The receptionist was extremely helpful. Once we got to our room I noticed there was no tub, so rang down and asked if it would be possible to switch to one. The same lady explained that not many of their rooms had tubs but would see what she could do. She was able to find us a room, with tub plus other requirements and sent someone up to take us to the new room.
A bit dated, as expected, but perfectly comfortable, quiet, clean and enough space for our needs.
And the location, as you said, was perfect. Even more so as, due to various things, we ended up coming into Stuttgart via train, not car. So it really helped to be so close to the station.
In the end, I was really poorly - a cold/cough I'd had for a week before we went just got worse and worse and by the time we arrived in Stuttgart at the end of our trip, it was a full blown chest infection. A quick trip to a pharmacy, plus my own travel medkit and I spent the entire time in bed.
I would certainly stay here again, were I to need a place in Stuttgart, and recommend it to others. Rooms may not be as modern or spacious as others, but the staff really were very friendly and helpful and the location couldn't be beaten.
Oct 19th, 2009, 05:16 AM
#24
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Kavey
I have no idea whether you are still undecided where to stay in Stuttgart. We frequent the following hotel every time we are in Stuttgart as it is brilliantly located: right in the middle of town:
http://www.fodors.com/community/asia...of-culture.cfm
Extremely well appointed rooms, wonderful breakfast (which helps getting us thru the day without any lunch ;-) )
great location which offers also eateries and shops in close proximity to the hotel.
Happy travels!
SV
I have no idea whether you are still undecided where to stay in Stuttgart. We frequent the following hotel every time we are in Stuttgart as it is brilliantly located: right in the middle of town:
http://www.fodors.com/community/asia...of-culture.cfm
Extremely well appointed rooms, wonderful breakfast (which helps getting us thru the day without any lunch ;-) )
great location which offers also eateries and shops in close proximity to the hotel.
Happy travels!
SV
Oct 19th, 2009, 05:18 AM
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Oct 19th, 2009, 12:58 PM
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kavey, I'm glad you like the Graf, it definitely has the most strategic location. I find the Steigenberger hotels in general to have very friendly and personable staff. Sorry to hear that you were under the weather when you were in Stuttgart, hope you did make it to the photo workshop.
spassvogel, I like the Schlossgarten too, it has a nice exterior & good location. However, to my surprise, I find their standard rooms to be really small and old. They were nice enough to upgrade me to their junior suite for free when I politely told them that the room was too small. The Jr suite was nice & big but the furnishing was worse than at the Graf (at least in 2006/2007). Not sure if they have updated their furnishing since then.
spassvogel, I like the Schlossgarten too, it has a nice exterior & good location. However, to my surprise, I find their standard rooms to be really small and old. They were nice enough to upgrade me to their junior suite for free when I politely told them that the room was too small. The Jr suite was nice & big but the furnishing was worse than at the Graf (at least in 2006/2007). Not sure if they have updated their furnishing since then.
Oct 20th, 2009, 12:03 AM
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Just bad luck, I'm afraid.
Soooo many of the people at work were suffering the same cough/ cold thing I had, in the weeks before I left. I first had what seemed similar about a month back or maybe 5 weeks and it cleared up so was very surprised to get what seemed to be same thing, but was probably different strain or infection, again just a couple of weeks later.
Really thought it would be gone within first couple of days of holiday but just got worse!
The photography workshop was really, really good. Would recommend it to anyone with an interest in the hobby.
But Stuttgart, I'm afraid I didn't really see a great deal of.
I did do a couple of very short walks, including the one via a pharmacist, but as it was raining a lot, I didn't feel too distressed at not being able to do more.
Pete went out at intervals to explore without me while I slept.
Anyway, I have posted reviews for tripadvisor on both the GZ and also our hotel choice in Tubingen. Should appear soon.
Soooo many of the people at work were suffering the same cough/ cold thing I had, in the weeks before I left. I first had what seemed similar about a month back or maybe 5 weeks and it cleared up so was very surprised to get what seemed to be same thing, but was probably different strain or infection, again just a couple of weeks later.
Really thought it would be gone within first couple of days of holiday but just got worse!
The photography workshop was really, really good. Would recommend it to anyone with an interest in the hobby.
But Stuttgart, I'm afraid I didn't really see a great deal of.
I did do a couple of very short walks, including the one via a pharmacist, but as it was raining a lot, I didn't feel too distressed at not being able to do more.
Pete went out at intervals to explore without me while I slept.
Anyway, I have posted reviews for tripadvisor on both the GZ and also our hotel choice in Tubingen. Should appear soon.
