Gästehaus Ethiko

It’s a charming place with a rustic feel, set in a beautiful valley in the middle of the Bavarian Alps. The host was very friendly despite a bit of a language barrier, and arranged rooms with easy access for us as we had two elderly ladies in our group. Breakfast was simple but tasty. It’s near a beautiful abbey, and Garmisch-Partenkirchen is within driving distance. From there, you can take a cogwheel train up Germany’s highest mountain. This is a good choice if you want a genuine experience more than the comforts of a modern hotel. The welcoming feel here is lovely, which sadly isn’t something I can say about the region’s general attitude toward tourists.

This was such a relaxing, rustic place to stay. Each morning we woke to cowbells clanking softly in the field behind us, with a lovely view of the monastery before heading out for the day. The older man who welcomed us and showed us our rooms was very friendly. My friend, who recently moved to Germany, especially enjoyed practicing her German with him.

We came for the Passion Play at Oberammergau, and the nearby basilica was impressive. Our room in the “basement” was nice, and breakfast was good. The hallway outside smelled musty, though, and there seemed to be some mold on our wall.

The guesthouse is cute and romantic, with clean rooms, great staff, and a hearty breakfast. The town and mountains around it are gorgeous, and I’d definitely stay here again. It was a little cold during our mid-September visit because they hadn’t turned on the oil yet, and there wasn’t any Wi-Fi. Still, the good parts outweigh those two complaints.