Hotel Glockenspiel

Dinner was completely unacceptable. The buffet seemed to be the cheapest packaged food dressed up as hotel fare, worse than what I'd expect in a poor company cafeteria. With the Kassler roast pork, for instance, there was a nearly clear, jelly-like gravy with no taste, cold greasy bean salad, and instant mashed potatoes. After a day in water that was far too cold, that was a miserable meal for a spa break. The hotel's own thermal baths were otherwise alright, but much too cold. We booked Hotel Birkenhof based on its advertised offer and photos, then were put in a different place without anyone explaining or even mentioning the change. We didn't know until we arrived that "Haus Glockenspiel" was a separate hotel complex, not simply another building. The whole complex is worn, the amenities are basic, and the price reflects that, so until dinner the value seemed acceptable. It feels like they're trying to squeeze every penny out of guests instead of giving them a reason to return. New guests are drawn in by the trick of being put up in the better "Hotel Birkenhof."

The thermal baths were pleasant, and the waitstaff were attentive, kind, and friendly. Management, though, has clearly fallen short since the takeover. Reception is only in the Birkenhof building, so there's no contact person on site. The room had no drinks, and I would have expected enough soap and shower gel to be provided. The food wasn't appetizing, with the chef seeming unable to season it properly. Drinks were very expensive. At breakfast, there wasn't much choice, and the buffet wasn't always enough for everyone.

The hotel is in a lovely spot, and it was convenient to have access to the Poseidon Thermal Baths. The service and housekeeping staff were consistently friendly, and the hotel's general cleanliness was satisfactory. Missing things like bathrobes were brought up fairly quickly after we called to complain. Still, since Hotel Birkenhof took over management on January 1, 2026, service at Hotel Glockenspiel has noticeably declined. There is no dedicated reception or direct contact person there. Check-in took 20 minutes at Hotel Birkenhof, where one employee was handling reception for both hotels. Getting to our room at Hotel Glockenspiel meant navigating confusing underground connecting corridors, which made arrival less comfortable. Room No. 36 was clean but clearly dated. The furniture and mattresses were worn and need renovation. The bathroom also feels out of date, with a high bathtub and an awkward shower curtain. The breakfast and dinner buffets felt more like a cafeteria than a hotel restaurant. We had to set the table ourselves, including putting out the cutlery. The selection was quite limited, some food had little taste or variety, and there wasn't always enough. On Sunday, there wasn't even any butter.

I really don't understand all the good reviews. The rooms are dated, but okay for what you pay. The staff are friendly, though not always helpful. The food was awful, either far too salty or completely bland. Liver at the dinner buffet? By the last day, breakfast had sunk to the cheapest of the cheap. They'd combined the breakfast room with the neighboring hotel, which upset guests so much that it even led to physical altercations. Never again!