Waldhotel Heller

A good place to switch off if you’re after nature and silence. The hotel sits right at the edge of the forest. The couple running it are nice, and they have a sweet wire-haired dachshund. Rooms are clean, breakfast is OK.

We felt really comfortable during our short stay. The hosts seemed genuinely concerned about their guests and were very friendly and attentive. We eat plant-based, and although we only asked whether bringing our own food was okay, they went out and bought groceries for us. That kind of effort is rare and meant a lot. The rooms were clean and well equipped. The house has a rural character and a sense of history, so you need to appreciate that. If you’re expecting a sleek modern hotel in the city center, this probably isn’t the right fit. Thanks for a lovely stay.

I always enjoy coming back. The welcome is warm, and the food is delicious. This small hotel sits right at the forest’s edge, making it a handy starting point for hikes, while other destinations are easy to reach by car. The rooms are tidy, clean, and have what you need, including all the usual TV channels.

The building is old, which I personally don’t mind. What bothered me was the lack of what I’d call genuine hospitality. The owner said there was no way to leave a spare key for my later arrival, even though a key box or leaving it under a flowerpot would have worked for me. That’s standard at other guesthouses and hotels, especially ones without newer security features like key codes. I had to go out of my way to collect the key earlier in the evening. Seeing all the flowerpots around the peaceful property, any of which could have hidden a key, made the situation feel like a rip-off. They only took cash, in 2024. Check-out was at 10:30 a.m.; I’d arrived at 4:00 a.m., and they wouldn’t allow a later departure when I asked. Breakfast was meager. To me, this place seems like part of a dying breed, focused on getting money from guests without putting effort into service or maintaining the building and furnishings. The cash-only policy says a lot to those who know. The attached image shows the guest entrance to the “hotel.” The outside of the building and its furnishings and contents, all from the 70s to 90s, might have had a positive, morbid charm despite everything. But I can’t stand selfish stinginess, especially when it comes with being treated like an idiot.