Kloster Dornach

Getting to the Kloster was easy, since it's only a few steps from the train station, and the included breakfast was excellent. We had a larger double room, the Literarium, decorated with books and other objects connected to the monks, which gave it a lot of charm. The shared bathrooms are all aluminum and glass, but I still felt I had plenty of privacy. We got quick restaurant service when we ate later, though I can see it being slower when the place is full. There were some drawbacks. Dornach is under the EuroPort flight path, even if it's not the busiest airport, and the train to Basel passes every 15 minutes from 4am until 1am. During a hot spell, when it reached 85F (29C), the room had no cross ventilation, so we had to leave the door open to let in the cooler evening air. There was no A/C or TV.

The old cloister is a big building, and the herb and vegetable garden is lovely. The shared bathrooms are very nice, so don't let that put you off. It's right by the train station, with good access to the riverside and walks up into the hills.

We had a delicious meal with generous portions, and there were several vegetarian choices. The restaurant is in a former 17th century monastery, with a lush inner garden for summer dining. It has a rustic but elegant feel and serves mostly French and Mediterranean food. Service was friendly and quick, making it a lovely spot for a romantic dinner or a family event.

I love staying in historic places, so the old room in this monastery suited me just fine. Our stay felt really cozy, and the front desk staff were kind and helpful.