Schwarzwald Kniebis

The rooms are clean, though they seem to have been furnished in the early 1970s, and the value for money doesn't make the hotel worth recommending. We were promised pickup and drop-off for the Westweg trail, about 2.5 km away, and they picked us up. For the following days, they told us to use a shortcut or take the bus, so we walked the next day. At check-in, we had to pick dinner from a menu listing only more expensive dishes. Apparently the full menu, including smaller plates, isn't offered to hikers or day visitors. It felt a bit like that Spessart inn where the robbers live.

The room was spotless, but the furniture was completely outdated and there was no Wi-Fi. As a hiker arriving soaked from the rain, I didn't feel very welcome. Who wants to sit in the common room with wet socks? Compared with other places along the Westweg trail, the price for what you get is only just okay at best.

We were relieved we'd booked just one night. The rooms are seriously outdated, the internet doesn't work, and breakfast in the mostly empty dining room felt rather subdued. The milk was cold, too. At check-in, the hostess seemed to assume we'd have dinner at the hotel and handed us the menu, suggesting we choose something. Staying at Hotel Schwarzwald in Kniebis feels like going back to the 1960s for Westweg hikers. Addendum: after our 28km hike, the promised pickup from Alexanderschanze never came, even though we'd called the night before. A real shame and a real mood killer.

We still remember our stay very fondly and will definitely return, hopefully for longer. A year ago, while hiking the Westweg trail in the Black Forest, we spent two nights here and had a wonderful time. Mr. Schmelzle even picked us up from Alexanderschanze in his VW camper van. The Schmelzle family and their staff are incredibly warm and welcoming, the rooms are very nice and clean, and the food is excellent. The price-performance ratio is absolutely fair. This lovely traditional hotel and its hosts are a must-visit, highly recommended. I only just found out you can leave reviews here. Family Schmelzle, please stay just as you are! 😍