Karlsmühle in Mertesdorf

The restaurant made for a fantastic, quiet romantic evening. Simon and Sedra were so helpful at the winery that we bought four bottles of their local wine, and they were fantastic. My family stayed here while travelling through Trier, with two adults and our seven-year-old son. We had a very good experience, especially as we arrived without expectations. We’d stay again.

The photos gave us really high hopes, but this wasn’t our favourite place, even though the staff were helpful overall. Breakfast was plentiful, with continental options and some scrambled eggs. The rooms were comfortable enough, but the basic room was very plain, and there were no tea or coffee facilities. There’s no soundproofing, so we could clearly hear children running in the corridors. Choosing dinner was difficult. The owners didn’t help guests who couldn’t speak German, despite us paying the bill, and an English menu would have been a nice idea. I found a translation app on my phone, which helped a little. The attached wine estate and shop had delicious wine we wanted to buy, but nobody answered when we tried the door three times. Most bizarre, and their loss.

For what you pay, it’s pretty good, about 3.5 stars. The patio by the water has a lovely atmosphere, and the place is clean, with neat rooms and beds that are neither too soft nor too hard. The breakfast buffet was okay, but the menu left something to be desired. We ate there once during our four-day stay and made other arrangements the rest of the time. Some staff try very hard, but management’s attitude toward them seems wrong, and it shows. The best thing is the location right beside a very well-kept, wide, paved bike trail.

The scenery is pretty, and the setting among all those great vineyards is idyllic and relaxing. It’s affordable, and the restaurant food is a little above average. Rooms are standard, the breakfast buffet is adequate, and the place is about what you’d expect for its price, with some minor flaws. The beds are hard, and the shower pressure and temperature change dramatically when other showers are running. Staff seem inexperienced and aren’t naturally attentive, though they speak enough English to get by. I’d come back for a quick stop between destinations.