Pension Rauschenstein

Breakfast was really good, but I don't think the fairly high price matches the comfort of the accommodation. The room under the roof was tiny, and its TV was awkwardly set in front of the window, so watching the news from bed in the evening wasn't possible. There was no Wi-Fi either, which was a real shame since I wanted to upload some photos from that day. Check-in was at Hotel Helvetia, about 500 meters away. I collected the key there, walked back to the room, then went down to the Elbe River and back to the hotel the next morning.

The bathroom heaters throughout the house were switched off, so we had to shower and get dressed in the cold. We'd booked a room that allowed dogs and paid €25 for ours, which was fine, but the room was so cramped that there wasn't enough space for our suitcase and the dog to sleep at the same time. That was really disappointing. The breakfast, though, was absolutely fantastic.

The guesthouse is okay for a night during a hike, but I wouldn't recommend it otherwise. Its best feature is being close to the picturesque village center of Schmilka. The room was basic but spacious, and the old-fashioned atmosphere, noise, lack of Wi-Fi, and lack of service in the building all brought it down. The TV was tiny and didn't work, and the bathroom was very small. Check-in, check-out, and breakfast are all at Hotel Helvetia, more than 400 meters away. The breakfast buffet there is fantastic, and the hotel itself is beautifully designed, a stark contrast to the guesthouse.

The beer garden, sauna, organic brewery, and bakery nearby are all quite recommendable. The accommodation itself, though, doesn't justify its price. The building is simply too old for what they charge. Seeing the terrace's old, broken tiles on arrival, we hoped the inside would be better, and it only partly was. The tiny bathroom looks like it dates from the 90s, aside from the fairly modern shower fittings, and it badly needs renovation, especially the shower cubicle. The walls are so thin that getting a good night's sleep is impossible if, like us, you have guests above you making noise. Every footstep comes through. I'm usually not fussy and can sleep in very basic places, but not at this price.