Hotel Zum Baeren

We had such a great time that I wish we'd booked a few more nights. The reception staff I met came from different parts of Europe. They were very friendly and did their best to communicate with us in English. The breakfast had a nice variety and was beautifully presented, and the dining area was immaculate and decorated for Christmas. The hotel has a classic German exterior, perfect for photos, and sits on a cobblestone street that adds to the countryside feel. The location is hard to beat, just a few minutes' walk from the Rudesheim market and cable car. The train station is a bit of a hike, about 15 mins. If you have a suitcase, I'd head south from the station and follow the main road by the river, then go north to the hotel, since the stone streets are tough with wheeled luggage. Our room was fancily appointed, though I expect not every room is like that. It had a large bed, two comfy pillows, two very thick duvets, a freestanding bathtub in the room, a full-featured shower room with a rainfall shower, and really neat LED lights. Just a couple of small things: the shower head needs descaling because of hard-water stains and blocked holes, which make some sprays go sideways, and the pleather headboard is a bit worn. Neither was important enough to take off a star. I'd book here again if I visited Rudesheim. I'll add photos later.

We stayed for one night while passing through, but would stay longer if we get the chance to visit again. The room was large and clean, staff were very friendly and helpful, and breakfast had a good range of hot and cold options. The hotel is just minutes from the Christmas market and cable car.

When I arrived around 23:00, reception was closed and nobody answered the hotel phone. The owner eventually came after I got help from the booking app’s service assistant, but he seemed irritated and blamed me for using the wrong app. How was I supposed to know? The room deserves one star. This is not a four-star hotel anywhere, so don’t go. My advice: find solutions to your problems instead of making customers responsible for them.

We only stopped in Rüdesheim on the way north, and ended up wishing we’d stayed longer. The room was spacious and comfortable, and everyone on staff was friendly and helpful. We took the Seilbahn up to Niederwald, jogged along the bluff and came down through the vineyards. That was unforgettable. I’ll definitely stay here again when I’m back in the area.