Hotel Garni Lehrertal

On my drive back from Munich to Holland, I booked a night here through Booking.com. The room was clean and the bed comfortable, and the price was good. Breakfast was a healthy spread of breads, cheese, meats, yoghurt, vegetables, nuts and seeds for the yoghurt, fruit juice, and of course coffee. The hotel is near Ulm’s historic city centre, and there’s free parking out front. The check-in machine at the back made arriving late easy, so I didn’t have to worry about a closed reception. Special mention to the very friendly, intelligent, elegant Romanian lady who works there. We had a lovely conversation about history, her country of origin, and other things. I highly recommend this hotel!

The room was a decent size, spotless, and had a comfortable bed, though the furniture and curtains looked dated. I appreciated having both still and sparkling water, plus good soap in the shower. The breakfast room was pleasant and traditionally styled, and the buffet had a good range for one night, though I might find it tiresome over several days. Check-out was quick and efficient, and I’d use the hotel again for an overnight stay in the area. The artwork on the walls looks like it might be by the owner’s kids. It was easy to find and park out front. I arrived late after being given a back-door code in advance, since reception was only open until midday, and was told my room card would be waiting. It wasn’t, so I had to call for help. They called back quickly with instructions for using the check-in machine by the back door, which dispensed a key card. It was a hassle after travelling all day, but easy enough to sort out, and the receptionist apologised the next day. The hotel faces the main rail depot, but I didn’t hear any noise.

The breakfast was one of the worst and poorest I’ve had. The rooms aren’t soundproof, so you hear everything outside: children and mechanics during the day, and drunk people at night.

The staff were kind, polite, and nice, and the rooms were generally clean with enough facilities for a comfortable stay. Some bathrooms are too small for my liking. Prices are neither especially high nor especially low. The location is good, about a 20-minute walk from Ulm’s old city, so this could suit you if you’re looking for a room just outside the city.