Panoramahaus Duhnen

I always visit during the off-season. Restaurants and shops are just a few minutes away, and depending on the side of the building, there’s a lovely view of the Elbe estuary, a major shipping lane, or west towards the Wadden Sea and Neuwerk island. The outside of the building isn’t especially attractive, but the apartments I’ve rented there have all been comfortable and very well maintained.

The garbage chute in the middle of the building gives off a terrible smell, and it lingers in the nearby hallway. Getting around inside is confusing too, with so many entrances. The building itself isn't much to look at, though it is right in central Duhnen. We were happy with apartment 117, but furnishings seem to depend a lot on the individual owner. There’s an underground garage and a lift, and the view changes quite a bit depending on your floor and which side you’re on. The central location makes it very expensive, even off-season. Next time we'd stay a few streets away for nearly half the price.

I’ve been holidaying in Duhnen for 40 years and have never been treated so rudely. I rented apartment 49 with an underground parking space through Cux-Urlaub Hillmer. A bird’s nest above the space meant my car was covered in droppings every day, and even small birds had fallen out. I asked for a cover or another space, but nothing was done. Hillmer, the landlord, was incredibly rude and said he couldn’t help, claiming the garage was a nature reserve. On top of that, the agency charged me a building fee and a service charge.