Page 490 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Germany

488  TR A VELLERS ’ NEEDS WHERE T O ST A Y  489
WHERE TO STAY Many hotels offer significant

reductions at weekends,
It is relatively easy to find a room in a hotel or consideration, it may be necessary to take and sometimes there is the
a pension in Germany, even in small towns a room in a hotel that is some distance from opportunity of a discount for
or large villages. The range of prices for a the city centre. Within the list of hotels those who turn up without a
night’s accommodation is wide, depending provided on pages 492–503 there is a large reservation. Booking early may
also secure a discounted rate.
on the standard of services offered and the range of hotels and pensions, which Prices can sometimes be
location of the establishment. In smaller represent various price categories and a negotiated for longer bookings,
towns located in attractive tourist areas, high standard of services. Tourist offices especially during periods
it is also possible to find rooms to rent supply lists of accommodation options when business is slack.
at a reasonable rate in private homes. In and may be able to find a room for you. The deluxe Fairmont Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten on the Jungfernstieg in Hamburg (see p502)
large towns and cities it is harder to find Information on types of accommodation International and and Palace Hotels or Romantik Additional Costs
inexpensive accommodation. If cost is a can be found on pages 490–91. German Chain Hotels Hotels & Restau rants, which Tax is included in the basic
Virtually all the well-known can provide further information. price of a hotel room, but tips
international hotel chains are should be given for additional
How to Book
present in Germany, and there services, such as having your
As with many European are also hotels belonging to Hotel Prices baggage taken to your room
destinations, hotel accomm­ German chains. Many towns A complicated system of hotel or having theatre tickets
odation in Germany can be in Germany have an Ibis, categorization operates in reserved for you. Additional
booked directly by telephone, which can be relied on to Germany, with a diverse range of costs can come as a surprise
email or through the hotel’s provide inexpensive, usually prices depending on the season, when you settle your bill. In
website. Reservations can two-star accommodation. as well as on various events that the most expensive hotels,
also be made through a local Somewhat more expensive, are taking place. In resort areas, for example, breakfast is not
tourist office or a third party and of a higher standard, are the hotels are obviously most included in the cost of the
provider, such as Expedia.de or hotels belonging to the Best expensive during the summer, room. Most hotels have their
Hotels.com. Western chain. Their excellent while in large cities visited own parking facilities, but the
Hotels may request written standard of service, combined frequently for business the most cost may be unacceptably
confirmation of the booking with an affordable price, ensures expensive seasons are spring high. Check in advance the
and will almost certainly ask for their popularity with visitors. and autumn. In cities where cost of making direct-dialled
a credit card number to guar­ Hotels belonging to the Sorat commercial fairs are held, prices telephone calls from your
The lounge area of the fun budget hotel Circus, Berlin (see p492) antee the reservation. Give an group have a similar standard may double during the most room, as well as the
indication of expected time of to Best Western establishments popular fairs – for example, in commission charged by the
The Range of Hotels group of friends can turn out arrival especially if it’s likely to and are also recommended. Berlin during the tourist fair ITB, hotel for cashing travellers’
German hotels are rated to be very economical. be late at night. This will ensure They can be two-, three- or in Hanover during the cheques and the rate offered
according to a star system that Standards vary enormously that the room is held for you. even four-star, and their information-computer fair CeBIT when exchanging currency.
is also used in many other between hotels. In large cities For those who have not pre­ premises always have interesting and in Frankfurt during the car Using the mini-bar and
countries. The number of stars visitors will have no difficulty in booked, the local tourist office interiors, often designed by and publishing fairs. The same is pay-to-view TV channels
awarded to an establishment finding a deluxe (and, of course, can usually find a hotel room or renowned architects. Many true in Munich during the in your room can also prove
depends on the facilities offered expensive) hotel, which will provide information about hotels belonging to chains October beer festival. to be expensive.
rather than the standard of typically be part of an rooms in private homes. are, in fact, four- or deluxe
service. As a result, it may be international chain. The five-star. Among the finest are
possible to enjoy a more choice of less expensive the Kempinski and Vier
pleasant stay in a small hotel accommodation usually, Jahreszeiten hotels. In addition
that has only one star than in a though not necessarily to these, there is no shortage
three­star hotel that offers lifts, always, entails accepting a of hotels belonging to chains
a restaurant, swimming pool lower standard of service or such as Hilton, Holiday Inn,
and business centre, but where a less convenient location. InterContinental, Mercure,
refurbishment is long overdue. Away from the larger Ramada and Hyatt Regency.
The word “Garni” in the cities, high prices
name of the hotel indicates generally apply to rooms Hotels in
that there is not a restaurant in comfortable hotels in
on the premises, but only a particularly peaceful and Historic Buildings
dining room where breakfast beautiful locations, or to Germany has numerous
is served. “Apartmenthotel” those located within palaces, castles and other
means that the establishment historic palaces or villas. historic buildings that have
is comprised of suites that Smaller hotels in such been converted into hotels.
include equipped kitchens or areas usually offer good Often the name Schloßhotel
a kitchen annexe. The price accommodation at is used to indicate that an
of suites is such that it is not affordable prices, and establishment is a hotel within
worth booking them for just visitors can enjoy their a palace. Many of these hotels
one night, although a booking stay in small, but cosy are members of international
of several days for a family or and comfortable, rooms. Luxurious bar at Adlon Kempinski, Berlin (see p492) organizations, such as Castle The elegant spa in the Hotel de Rome, Berlin (see p492)
The shopping centre Quartier 206, on Berlin’s Friedrichstraße

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