Meisenheimer Hof

The food itself was outstanding, creative and beautifully executed. For those of us driving from Wiesbaden, Frankfurt and nearby, it's wonderful to have food like that so close in beautiful Meisenheim. The rooms are modernized, basic and clean, in a beautiful Hof setting. The hotel side needs more staff: reception, breakfast and checkout felt understaffed and overwhelmed. Restaurant service and atmosphere also aren't ready for prime time. For now, I'd go only with a small group, and wouldn't expect Michelin-level service or surroundings to match the food. I'm not sure I'd return individually until the service catches up. Compare it with Auberge Saint Walfrid. Our party of 14 wasn't handled professionally, or at least not to the standard we've experienced in France, Spain and Denmark. They wouldn't offer the group the full menu. First, she suggested that each of us order a different number of courses from the tasting menu, which seemed impractical for both the kitchen and us. After weeks of emails being misread, a short, rude phone call, and two round trips of an hour and a half to clarify the basic request, we settled on a limited selection from the a la carte menu they were willing to serve. We were apparently supposed to be "grateful" for that on a Sunday evening. This only happened after she realized, despite being told several times, that most of us were staying at the hotel. Looking back, we should have booked several smaller tables and would presumably have received the usual treatment. On the night, the service was just as unprofessional. We'd booked a Sekt reception to start with foie gras Canapés, but the staff seemed to have forgotten and seated us without it. They also gave us an upsell menu with different extra hors d'oevres and oysters instead of the menu we'd agreed on. The group stood up, confused, while the Sekt reception eventually appeared at the restaurant reception desk, in the middle of staff traffic between the kitchen and service bar. We were in the way and could barely hear the toasts. There was plenty of room to move the long dinner table out, but it had been left against the wall. The six people on that side couldn't be served properly and had to stack and pass their plates along. I had to ask for the remaining Sekt we'd bought to be served. Although I asked for recommendations, nobody offered sommelier service. Staff would periodically call out, "So, Who wants the Sauvignon Blanc? Who wants the Weissburgunder?" It felt like inconsiderate Biergarten service, which made the €100-€140 per person price too high.

This was our third visit to this absolute gem, and we enjoyed it just as much as the earlier ones. The room is very comfortable, and Chef Markus's local cooking is delicious and refined. We keep coming back.

The food was on another level, with a perfect wine selection to match the outstanding surprise menu. We had a wonderful weekend here with our dog. The cafe next door and the wine store are well worth a visit too.

The breakfast was very basic, and the clerk wasn't helpful. She said they were full and asked where I'd booked, even though I showed her the confirmation from their own website. I'd reserved a suite with a sitting area and bathroom, but was given a room with a shared bathroom instead. Please see the attached pictures. It's a very nice place, but I didn't get what I'd booked, and by then it was too late to go elsewhere.