Hotel-Restaurant Zum Loewen

The portions are huge, and everything we tried was filling. The entrecôte and trout were rich and delicious, while the German dishes were tasty and affordable. Service was attentive and straightforward. We didn’t get to try the Indian food, which I regret. They said there was an English menu, but it wasn’t available; Google Translate’s camera worked well enough.

Rhine Falls itself was superb after we left, but this was the worst experience I’ve had in Germany. I visit regularly and know the area well. I’d expected a historic, decent 200-year-old inn, especially after seeing its good Booking.com reviews, but the stay badly shook my confidence in online reviews. The hotel felt as though it was being run on a shoestring. The room was in poor shape and badly in need of refurbishment. The bed was old and worn, and there was a horrible smell. Staff sprayed deodorizer on the carpet and said people had spilled beer in the room. The toilet was odd, with thin towels in a questionable color. Service was awful, and staff came across as hostile and unfriendly. Our meals were brought to the table wrong, then taken away without an apology. When we wanted more drinks, we had to look for staff, who seemed more focused on closing up. It was dark and the lights weren’t on; the restaurant then closed as staff seemed to be leaving around 9:45 pm. Breakfast was awful, with watered-down orange juice and a limited food selection that seemed to reflect a very tight budget. Drinks in the fridge had been opened and were empty. When we left, the owner aggressively asked whether we’d paid for the minibar, without asking if we’d enjoyed our stay or acknowledging our custom. I don’t want to be negative for its own sake, but I can’t say more about how bad the experience was. I was glad to get out. Bye forever. This will no doubt be removed, but the truth carries furthest.

Restaurant review only. We drove from Zurich to Schaffhausen to see the Rhine Falls, and Jestetten was right along the way. After several days of Swiss food prices, this place felt amazing: affordable meals, generous portions, and great quality. The basmati rice was wonderful too.

We didn’t stay at the hotel, just ate at the restaurant. The food was amazing, a real taste sensation. The restaurant was lovely and clean, and the staff were friendly.