Will be in Stuttgart the first week of March for a convention at the Millennium Hotel and Resort. Can anyone tell us anything about this place.
Any recommendations on things to do in Stuttgart. Have option to rent a car, but would rather not.
Are there castles to tour? skiing?

do some searching for other threads on this board. There are many things to do in the area. Consider the mercedes benz tour in nearby Sindelfingen, a trip to the spa/casino town of Baden-Baden. Perhaps a longer ride to Strassbourg France. If you want to try out a German "mall" ask for directions to Breuningerland...it's about a 15 minute drive from the city. There isa very good ballet - ask about tickets.

hi there,

depends on what You are interessted in and how many time You have.
First, the Millenium is about 7 km out of center in Moehringen, but it is easy to go to town by d-train (Strassenbahn). seafox already had a few good ideas, but I guess Baden-Baden and Strassburg are a little bit too far to go. Even there is a big spa and a casino in the building of the Millenium. (Caution, the spa is a nude spa ((dont know the right word for this)). Also right oposite the hotel there is a musical hall where they give great musicals. You will get tickets at the hotel desk.
To get tickets for the famous Stuttgart ballet is real difficult, they are sold out for month.
Beyond the DaimlerChrysler manufactoring tour there is a very good DC museum in Stuttgart. If You are in art, there is a great museum of contemporary art (neue Staatsgalerie) and of older things (Staatsgalerie).
In Stuttgart there are two castles. The new one You just take a look from the outside, the old one has a nice museum in it (clothes, watches, weapons ...). Both are right in the center of town (Schlossplatz). Here YOu also find the shopping area. I'm not so shure whether it is worth to go to Breuninger Land for shopping, for it is a little difficult to go without a car.
More castles: Ludwigsburg is worth if You a really in this things. It is a very nice baroque castle which offers tours. There is annother, Monrepos, but this is not so interessting. If YOu have time go to Solitude (near Gerlingen, no problem to reach by d-train or bus).
Also nice are the smaller villages in the valley of the river Neckar arround Stuttgart which You reach by s-train. Bietigheim is very nice, also Besigheim, Marbach (birthplace or Schiller), Esslingen, Plochingen (Hunderwasser building) and, of course, Tuebingen.
Skiing? No. You have to go to the Schwaebische Alb (not so good conditions in snow) or the south of the Black Forrest. By car about 2.5 hours.
More? Just ask.
have fun
Gar

The hotel is gorgeous, congratulations on being able to stay there. I stayed one night this summer, but didn't have a chance to take advantage of the spa facilities.

The one dinner we had the hotel was actually quite good.

There's an Irish pub and a wine bar on the ground floor. Depending on the staff in the pub, that can be a great time.

Can't answer about castles or skiing in that area.

Downtown is a lot of fun - great shopping and very walkable.

Good luck.

gargamel - I vaguely recall a charming small castle on a hill not to far from Stuttgart...oddly I think it was call Schloss Lichtenstein....is that possible?

Schloss Lichtenstein is only about 30 miles south of Stuttgart - just south of Reutlingen. It is a spectacular small castle perched on the tip of a high rock pinnacle with beautiful vistas. Also in the area and less than an hours drive from Stuttgart is Hohenzollern Castle - a much more substantial castle but again with beautiful vistas. Check out their websites to find tour hours

hi there,
Charlie is right, Lichtenstein is that small little castle direction Reutlingen / Metzingen. Funy thing on this castle is that it was build after Wilhelm Hauff has written the novell and discribted a castle like this.

have a good time during christmas
Gar

Thank you everyone, for your help. You've certainly cleared up some things for me which makes planning our trip a lot easier.