Museumsherberge Glashütte

The scenery is lovely, and it seems like a great place for parties. The rooms, though, were filthy, and 140 EUR for a family room is way too expensive.

Really poor.

The old school building has been restored with care, and its history gives the place plenty of charm. It’s well outside the main residential area, though, so it’s best if you’re after peace and quiet or using it as a hiking base. The rooms are practical and reasonably comfortable, sometimes nicer than newer places, but the bed wasn’t up to the standard I’d expect for the price. It wasn’t a dealbreaker, just a letdown. Check-in and checkout are fully self-service, using a code for the key and leaving it on your way out. That means no staff contact at all, which may suit some people but left me with gaps as a business traveller. There’s no breakfast or dining on site. When I stayed on a Monday, the whole village seemed to close down, including the restaurant, bar, and market, so plan for that. It didn’t really work for my business trip, though I can see it suiting someone looking for a quiet stay or hiking nearby.

The natural pond that serves as a swimming pool was a highlight for me. I wished I had one at home, and the outdoor ping pong tables gave us plenty to do. We were a family of four, staying for a night a couple of years ago after a hectic July day at nearby Tropical Islands. This hotel, which might also be a museum, felt wonderfully quiet and secluded by comparison. The room was nice, and we thought the rates were reasonable. Glashutte was an interesting little village, though we didn’t spend much time there. I remember wishing we’d booked more than one night.