We arrived at about 5:30pm, and when we tried to check in, we found out that Joe’s room was a smoking room and my room was not ready yet. This was a little bit of a shock. The desk staff was very accommodating and apologetic--soon Joe had a non-smoking room, and we were able to check in. This just reiterates the fact that at many hotels in Europe, you can only request non-smoking, but it isn’t guaranteed.
Our rooms were very good-sized and decorated with beautiful red bedding
and curtains. Our television had a welcoming message on it when we entered the room. My favorite, though, was the fresh rose in the bathroom--what a nice touch.
The room was equipped with everything you will need for a pleasant visit. A minibar, safe, two bathrobes (which come in handy for visiting the pool, sauna, steamroom, and hot tub), slippers, king-size bed with two featherbeds, extra bedding, iron and ironing board, three chairs, a desk, TV with the usual two English-speaking channels, great lighting, deep tub, pants press and even a clothes line in the bathroom. There is a coffee maker with a selection of coffee, tea, and hot chocolate, as well as some biscuits. There are even bottles of complimentary mineral water. A very clean and pleasant room indeed.
A warning about the steam room and sauna: Bathing suits are optional; actually, they are discouraged. If you must cover up, you are given a towel to walk through the pool area. There is an open arch between the whirlpool and the suits-optional area. If you don't want any unwanted visual reminders of Heidelberg, I suggest you sit in the Jacuzzi with your back to the arch. It's what I did after Al warned me.
Our rate of 103 euros included a buffet breakfast, and there were always English-language newspapers available in the lobby, as well as the restaurant. This was a very nice breakfast buffet
where you could make your own waffles, which I did one day, and there were also crepes, bacon, fried, boiled, and scrambled eggs, fried potatoes, sausage, a variety of cheeses and cold meats, smoked salmon, yogurt, rolls, croissants, bread to toast, eight juices, and more. The only thing missing was whole fresh fruit--there was cut-up fruit and canned fruit, but no whole fresh. They delivered a carafe of coffee, tea, or hot chocolate to your table. There was champagne available for anyone who wanted to splurge at breakfast.
The business center offered free Internet access 24 hours a day. They have their own parking garage, and parking was 16 euros a day. We ate in both restaurants and were very pleased. The hotel is located within 5 blocks of the pedestrian zone and has easy access back onto the autobahn.