Page 491 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Germany

WHERE T O ST A Y  489

Many hotels offer significant
reductions at weekends,
and sometimes there is the
opportunity of a discount for
those who turn up without a
reservation. Booking early may
also secure a discounted rate.
Prices can sometimes be
negotiated for longer bookings,
especially during periods
when business is slack.
The deluxe Fairmont Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten on the Jungfernstieg in Hamburg (see p502)
International and and Palace Hotels or Romantik Additional Costs
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
present in Germany, and there Hotel Prices services, such as having your
are also hotels belonging to baggage taken to your room
German chains. Many towns A complicated system of hotel or having theatre tickets
in Germany have an Ibis, categorization operates in reserved for you. Additional
which can be relied on to Germany, with a diverse range of costs can come as a surprise
provide inexpensive, usually prices depending on the season, when you settle your bill. In
two-star accommodation. as well as on various events that the most expensive hotels,
Somewhat more expensive, are taking place. In resort areas, for example, breakfast is not
and of a higher standard, are the hotels are obviously most included in the cost of the
hotels belonging to the Best expensive during the summer, room. Most hotels have their
Western chain. Their excellent while in large cities visited own parking facilities, but the
standard of service, combined frequently for business the most cost may be unacceptably
with an affordable price, ensures expensive seasons are spring high. Check in advance the
their popularity with visitors. and autumn. In cities where cost of making direct-dialled
Hotels belonging to the Sorat commercial fairs are held, prices telephone calls from your
group have a similar standard may double during the most room, as well as the
to Best Western establishments popular fairs – for example, in commission charged by the
and are also recommended. Berlin during the tourist fair ITB, hotel for cashing travellers’
They can be two-, three- or in Hanover during the cheques and the rate offered
even four-star, and their information-computer fair CeBIT when exchanging currency.
premises always have interesting and in Frankfurt during the car Using the mini-bar and
interiors, often designed by and publishing fairs. The same is pay-to-view TV channels
renowned architects. Many true in Munich during the in your room can also prove
hotels belonging to chains October beer festival. to be expensive.
are, in fact, four- or deluxe
five-star. Among the finest are
the Kempinski and Vier
Jahreszeiten hotels. In addition
to these, there is no shortage
of hotels belonging to chains
such as Hilton, Holiday Inn,
InterContinental, Mercure,
Ramada and Hyatt Regency.
Hotels in
Historic Buildings
Germany has numerous
palaces, castles and other
historic buildings that have
been converted into hotels.
Often the name Schloßhotel
is used to indicate that an
establishment is a hotel within
a palace. Many of these hotels
are members of international
organizations, such as Castle The elegant spa in the Hotel de Rome, Berlin (see p492)

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