Rennsteigscheune

Turning a barn into such beautiful apartments is a fantastic idea, and we had a lovely, comfortable stay. Just avoid showering at night, since there’s only cold water then.

The Rennsteig Barn is in a handy spot, with lots of hiking trailheads close by. Check-in was easy with a door code, though you need to remember or write down two of them, one for the barn entrance and one for your apartment. The rooms are modern, charmingly furnished, and spotlessly clean. You can see the work that went into converting the barn, and the rooms look impressive. The stairs up to the sleeping area could be tricky for some, but that’s clear from the photos, so there shouldn’t be any surprises. I did have two complaints. The rooms are poorly soundproofed, apparently because of the building’s construction. I could hear someone snoring next door as if they were right beside me in bed, so if you’re a light sleeper like me, this probably isn’t the place for you. The bathroom sink is also so tiny that washing your hands without splashing water onto the floor is difficult, and washing your face over it is a real challenge. The sinks should be bigger. The shower curtains are too short, so showering leaves a little flood on the bathroom floor. Longer curtains would be an easy fix. All in all, a solid four stars.

The team member was friendly and helped me open the front door. I liked the modern furnishings in the room, and the bed upstairs felt comfortable. But the tiny bathroom sink sent water everywhere when I washed my face, so I had to put a towel on the floor. The shower curtain was also too short and narrow, and water splashed onto the floor in front of the sink. I pushed the bed frame right against the front wall because of the wide shelving unit. Otherwise, I would have badly bumped my head getting up. I paid €50 without breakfast, mainly for the modern furnishings.

I was thrilled with the Rennsteigscheune as an overnight stop on my e-bike tour. The landlady gave me a warm welcome and was warm and helpful throughout. The apartment was very clean and nicely furnished, with everything I needed. There’s an outdoor area and places to sit inside and out, plus a small selection of drinks, so it’s easy to make yourself comfortable. I’ll definitely come back on another tour that brings me to the Rennsteig.