Hotel-Restaurant Zum Schwarzen Bären

On our bike trip from Passau to Vienna, this was our favorite hotel of the whole trip. The staff made us feel welcome, and our room was clean and spacious. The building was well looked after. Breakfast was excellent and had plenty for vegetarians. The quiet, clean SPA and pool area was so relaxing. There were thoughtful touches throughout, and it felt like a cozy home stay with great facilities. We’d highly recommend it.

Our room was enormous, almost like a small apartment. The breakfast was easily the best I’d had in more than 15 days of staying at hotels and guesthouses along the Danube. Whoever puts it together clearly thinks about the different guests who might be there, and there’s even an omelette station. It cost a little more, but was worth it. We had both lunch and dinner at the restaurant, and both meals were delicious. If you can, sit outside, as it was a little dusty indoors. A great place to eat and stay.

The food was the best part, especially the breaded veal, the best I’ve ever had. The hotel itself was very cute, with a bit of home cooking in Austria.

Zum Schwartzen Baeren is in a handy spot, across the river from Melk Monastery. It’s away from the tourist traps while still central to its own village. The rooms are quiet, comfortable, spacious, and have a large bathtub. Service was good. I had dinner in the restaurant. The young woman who served me was lovely, genuinely friendly, and knew her stuff. The young man serving as well didn’t know the dishes and wines, or which ones pair together. That always surprises me, since it takes so little to learn.