West Germany's Oldest Hotels

West Germany's Oldest Hotels

old castle image by lukasz gonerski from Fotolia.com

There are a number of claimants to the title of "oldest hotel in Germany." One reason is some were not originally built as hotels, but as castles or buildings that were converted to hotels, competing nonetheless for "oldest" with those specifically built as hotels. The website nightsinthepast.com lists a number of "the most ancient places to stay" in Germany. The site says their list is a small portion of the actual number of historic hotels, and they do no guarantee the veracity of the claimed age of these. Regardless of age, many of these old hotels are located in or near areas conducive to outdoor activities such as hiking, biking or jogging.

Hotel Die Hirschgasse Heidelberg

The 530-year-old Die Hirschgasse, built in 1472 and remodeled in 1992, is the oldest building in Heidelberg. Frankfurt airport is 40 minutes by car, and it has 20 suites over two floors that come in a variety of shapes and sizes, with luxury bathrooms. There are junior suites (one bed), suites for two people, salon suites for up to three, and two-bedroom salon suites with a living area. All have cable TV, mini bar, telephone, safe, Jacuzzi tub and shower. On-site dining choices include the Mensurstube for German dishes, or Le Gourmet for French cuisine. Within walking distance are woods of the Holy Mountain, the Neckar's riverbank or the old city and its castle. A jogging track is on-site, while nearby are tennis courts, swimming pools, a driving range and facilities for fishing, horseback riding, biking and waterskiing.

Hotel Die Hirschgasse Heidelberg
Hirschgasse 3
69120 Heidelberg, Germany
+49-6221-4540
hirschgasse.de

Zum Roten Baren Freiburg

The Red Bear (Zum Roten Baren) dates back from 1311 and has authenticated documents to prove its heritage. It claims to be the longest continuously-running inn in all of Germany, and preparations are underway for its 700-years celebration in 2011. Its 12th-century two-story wine cellar may be toured on request. The hotel has 22 rooms and three suites, and has ample parking. Each room has Internet access and rates include breakfast. Its restaurant, which is closed on Sundays, offers exquisitely prepared dishes, including lamb roasted with rosemary-shallot sauce and served with polenta, breast of duck glazed with mustard and honey, and medallions of venison in a choice of sauces with spätzle. Some pets are allowed in the hotel.

Zum Roten Baren
Oberlinden 12
Freiburg D-79098, Germany
+49-761-387870
roter-baeren.de

Ringhotel Alstadhotel Arch Regensburg

This hotel, in the heart of Regensburg, was built in the 12th century. It has a nice view of Regensburg, a town that started as a Celtic settlement, became the Roman fort Castra Regina and then later Bavaria's capital and seat of the Reichstag. This 65-room hotel is in the square in the old part of a beautiful city, and is one of the oldest buildings in the city. The hotel's modern rooms have free Wi-Fi, free Sky Sports and movie channels and free breakfast. It is a five-minute walk from the cathedral and the River Danube. Altstadthotel Arch has two restaurants and a bar. It has a 24-hour front desk, non-smoking rooms, safety deposit box, on-site shops, laundry, fax/photocopying, meeting/banquet facilities and a bridal suite.

Ringhotel Alstadthotel Arch Regensburg
Haidplatz 4
Regensburg 93047, Bavaria, Germany
+49-941-58660

Article Written By Ines Romualdez

Ines Romualdez graduated from De La Salle University with a degree in business administration international business. She's been working as the manager of the Executive Briefing Center for Genesys Telecommunications for eight years developing and writing the company's marketing and promotion of the EBC for internal and external audiences.

Write for Trails.com
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