Danny
Google
We have been visiting Hotel Dollenberg repeatedly over many years. In the past, we were also overnight guests, but over time we decided to stop staying at the hotel. The rooms feel noticeably dated and have not been renovated in quite a while. They no longer provide the level of comfort and refinement we expect from a five-star hotel of this category. As a result, we now only visit as day guests in the spa.
We also used to enjoy dining at the restaurant, which in earlier years offered very good quality. Unfortunately, the food has declined over time and no longer stands out as it once did. Service throughout the hotel tends to feel rather distant and occasionally harsh, although there are positive exceptions — especially Simon in the spa area, who is warm, attentive and professional.
The spa remains the true strength of Dollenberg. While the facilities themselves are not brand new, they have aged gracefully. The relaxation areas — particularly the Zirbenholz room and the fireplace lounge — are outstanding and provide a genuinely calm atmosphere. Pools and saunas are well maintained, pleasantly heated, and paired with beautiful views over the Black Forest. We have visited multiple times and have never experienced overcrowding; finding quiet spots to relax has always been easy. Overall, the day spa still offers very good value for money.
There are, however, a few operational aspects that feel unnecessarily inconvenient. Food options in the spa are limited: typical spa snacks or light, health-oriented dishes are missing and the bistro menu feels somewhat outdated and not very contemporary for a full spa day. Additionally, receiving only two towels for the entire day is a bit impractical. Another small but notable issue: as a couple, we were assigned only one shared locker, which feels unnecessarily complicated — especially in winter, when storing bulky clothing and coats.
Overall, while the hotel stay itself no longer meets our expectations for a five-star property, the day spa remains highly recommendable. We will gladly continue returning for spa visits.