JD H.
Yelp
Located in the small, out of the way town of Ettlingen, I have had the great fortune to stay here about 4 times over the years because a working group of professionals gathers here every other year to network and I am lucky enough to be counted among them. There are other hotels in Ettlingen that provide very functional and less expensive accommodations that I have stayed in (and they were perfectly fine too) but I always come back to this place now for a few reasons: It has a historic, boutique European feel that chain hotels cannot reproduce and it is located at the border of the old town area that forces me to experience life in old world Germany for the 2 days that I am there. I travel enough and stay in enough chain hotels and have enough frequent stay status that I enjoy corporate hotels and the luxury amenities they provide me when I stay with them but I rarely ever get to experience a small hotel where they do not know me yet provide me with outstanding hospitality and service in a 1 of a kind setting. So, I choose here when in the area. It is not easy to get to as it is really not near a major airport. I have rented a car and driven the 90 min Autobahn route from Frankfurt (which is very fun!) and I have also taken the train from Frankfurt and it involves changing trains once in Karlsruhe but the train stop is literally adjacent to the side of the hotel.
The hotel is boutique style and has evolved over the years from a historic inn to now building on a more modern wing but this has resulted in some quirks that are fun such as a beautiful if imposing front complete with iron gating and courtyard fountains/statues that make it difficult to find the front entrance. There are some historic rooms and some modern ones (I personally prefer the modern ones but I would imagine if you were a Euro history buff you might appreciate the older ones). There is a mineral water spa within that I have looked at but never paid to participate in but I think that it is very popular with Europeans on holiday to come to places like this to sit in the spa for the perceive health benefits. There are 2 restaurants within, the Michelin 1 starred Erbprinz and the more informal weinstube Sybilla. There is also a cool, old bar near the lobby worth an evening nightcap just to check out what the upper class do in the old world for fun. Breakfast is included in the hotel rate and the spread that is put out in the mornings is impressive not only for the variety of Euro foods available (think sausages, cured fish, salads, great breads and butter, etc.) but also for the setting as it is served in the Erbprinz restaurant where you are among fine furnishings looking out over the front courtyard. The service in the hotel is friendly and welcoming but not over the top.
The location is just at the edge of what I think is the Old Town and it is a short walk to a lot of historic churches, shops and restaurants. Life in this town is relaxed and it is fun to walk around and watch people riding their bikes and walking everywhere as well as grabbing an outdoor table in the cobblestone lined plazas for a break involving coffee and pastry or a beer and a pretzel. In general English is spoken in most places at least in limited fashion so it is easy for the ignorant American such as myself to get by without making a fool of myself. I can guarantee that if the work group did not choose to start meeting here many years ago, this town would have never been on my radar but I'm glad it is and it is worth taking a couple days to check out if you are near Frankfurt and this type of tourism is your thing.
