Wichtelhaus

We were there in autumn, and the apartment has no parking of its own, as the listing says. There's a spot about 300 meters away. I don't know if free spaces are available in summer. The location right in the center is great, with the train station, wine shops, and restaurants an easy walk away, though there isn't a bakery or similar shop. It's lovingly furnished and has all the appliances you need, so even making bread rolls is no problem. That's about where the positives end. The description should mention that the church wakes the sheep at 7:00 a.m. and trains run all night just 150 meters away. The windows were closed in autumn, so I can only imagine how it is in summer. Luckily, I sleep with earplugs. Quite a few things need fixing: some lamps have no bulbs, and in the dark bedroom only one light works. There's just one outlet, so you have to choose which bedside lamp to use. The kitchen extractor fan has no controls, the kettle is scaled up, the toilet seat was loose and I couldn't tighten it, and some bathroom tiles were loose too. There's a lot to do over winter. A clearer description and a few repairs would make it five stars. A little vinegar now and then would sort the kettle in three minutes.

The Wichtelhaus is in a quiet spot, just a minute from the Moselle River. The town's only supermarket is a five-minute drive away, though it takes longer to walk there. We had little contact with the owner and no complaints about that. One bedroom is unfortunately next to other bedrooms, and some of the decor is questionable, but the location and setting make that forgivable.

The location and surroundings are what save this place. The accommodation is run-down and covered in pet hair, and the notices on the doors make you feel as if you're entering with bad intentions. The rules are delivered in a stern tone. Contact is by phone, and we were reminded that we're from East Germany. The unreliable lights make it impossible to relax. Unthinkable here in the "East."

I can only give it two stars. Calling it one of the oldest houses in town, as apparently you could say about every half-timbered house in Treis-Karden, doesn't excuse the state of the holiday apartment. Door handles and baseboards are missing, some rooms have lights that don't work, and doors don't close properly. Those are just a few examples. The house feels neglected and uncared for.