Best Western Plus BierKulturHotel Schwanen

We showed up late with no booking, but the receptionist found us a room and was very helpful. It was a two-level apartment in a German industrial style, with the bathroom and shower downstairs and the bedroom and office above. The stairs were made of metal. Breakfast was excellent, served across the street at an "inn".

The central location, helpful staff, and secure parking for both the car and our cycles were all great. The room was nicely designed over two levels, with a good free coffee machine, decent air conditioning, and a balcony. I also thought the WiFi was often poor and reported it. They said that wasn't usually the case, which may well be true. There's no fridge in the room, though you can order a mini-fridge for your own beers. Most people would probably want one for local purchases, too. The bigger problem for me was the sliding glass bathroom door. It gives almost no privacy when using the toilet, and I wouldn't book this hotel again because of it. Replacing it with a proper door seems like an easy fix.

The breakfast buffet was good quality, and the restaurant, just five meters outside the hotel, served outstanding dishes that all included beer. They offer 40 kinds of home-brewed beer, which was awesome. The hotel is owned by a brewer and managed by Best Western. My room was well arranged and had A/C, which is rare in German hotels, plus an espresso machine, a safe, and strong free WiFi. Highly recommended.

The three-course beer dinner was a good meal and worth the price. It was part of the "Kulinarik rund ums Bier" package, though drinks cost extra. I also took the brewery tour, but it felt rushed. The guide didn't seem keen to talk and gave me the impression he wanted us gone as soon as possible. We were out in 30 minutes, after an aperitif of Jubel Bier, an amber lager, and Keller straight from the tank, with a slice of bread. I stayed two nights in a Bierkasten room. The service was kind and helpful, and the stay was comfortable. I skipped room cleaning in exchange for a free restaurant drink, a nice initiative. Breakfast was up to German standards for the sweet options. The bread was OK, but the cakes were a little dry. I didn't try the meat.