 Where to stay in Germany
In Germany, you are spoilt for choice over where to stay. There is a wide range of accommodation available throughout the country, ranging from the budget to the luxurious. In many small tourist towns, some private homes also offer rooms to rent.
The room rates in major cities in Germany are quite high. For that reason, if you have a tight budget and want to stay in a mainstream hotel, an answer would be to find a room in a smaller town close to the city you are visiting.
Grading of Accommodation Providers
In Germany, hotels are graded with stars, with each class given a name:
- 1 star: tourist class
- 2 stars: standard class
- 3 stars: comfort class
- 4 stars: first class
- 5 stars: luxury class
When choosing a hotel, note that a hotel with the word "Garni" to its name does not have a restaurant within its premises. Such hotels only have a dining room where breakfast is served. A service apartment is called "Apartmenthotel". This is a hotel with suites equipped with kitchen. They are better suited for long-stay guest and those with family, and for an overnight booking.
Hotel Riva in Constance
Author: Rizzo (Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported)
Many of the more expensive hotels belong to international chains or local German chains. Such establishments can be relied upon to provide a more professional standard of quality. The independent local hotels may be cheaper, but also might not have the experience to provide the type of hospitality that you can expect at the chain hotels.
Outside the major cities, room rates are lower, with the exception of choice picturesque locations and resorts. Also, hotels housed in converted palaces and fortresses can expect to be priced higher.
Booking Your Room
Most hotels accept direct reservations by phone, fax and email. If you do not pre-book your room, you can seek help from the local tourist office.
Booking your room online is a great way to assure yourself of accommodation ahead of your arrival. Many hotel booking websites offer rates that are more attractive than the rates given by the hotels directly to the walk-in customers, due to the volume that these sites offer the hotel. However, different booking sites negotiate deals with the hotels separately, hence the same room for the same date may be priced differently at different booking sites. Use this room rate comparison engine to quickly find out the rates for the room you want, from different hotel booking websites.
Hotel The Regent, Berlin-Mitte
Author: Beek100 (Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported)
Room Rates
There's a complex system in place that determines the room rates for hotels in Germany. This can depend on various factors including season, the location, and if a fair is taking place in the city. Different cities hold different fairs, including the ITB tourist fair in Berlin, the CEBIT computer fair in Hanover, and the book fair in Frankfurt-am-Main.
The price quote includes tax, but not tips for the bell boy or concierge. In many of the most expensive hotels, breakfast is not part of the room rate. Making phone calls from your room, or using the mini-bar, are all additional charges that you may incur.
Disabled Travelers
Most hotels of a high standard will be able to accommodate disabled guests, including at least an entrance with ramp access. Having said that, you should check in advance if you are disabled, or traveling with someone who is. To get additional help, contact the Bundesarbeitsgemeinschaft Hilfe für Behinderte e.V.
A Gasthof in Germany
Author: Colin Smith (Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic)
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