A Best Western European experience
Years ago, working with Best Western, I was amazed at how their European hotel collection was so different from what most of us in the U.S. associate with Best Western. My recollections of Best Westerns have always been one of basic low-rise motels spreading across the country.
In Europe, the Best Western collection of hotels is a series of hotels that would bear three- and four-star status. Best Western is simply a marketing and reservations system that gives these hotels international reach and some economies of scale in terms of purchasing amenities.
Recently, I had an opportunity to stay at Best Western Hotels in Heidelberg and Stuttgart, Germany. Both hotels were in the center of their respective towns and within walking distance of the main tourist sights. Both had wireless connections for Internet and both had good parking solutions in towns where parking comes at a premium. Both hotels are among the best center-city values in either city.
In Heidelberg I stayed at the Alt Heidelberg, Rohrbacherstrasse 29, about 100 yards from the beginning of Heidelberg’s famed Hauptstrasse, a walking street through the heart of the old town that links Bismarkplatz with the base of the Heidelberg Castle.
Rooms were spacious, the internet connection was excellent through T-mobile, desk space was adequate and the breakfast served in a bright dining room featured croissants, brotchen, sausages, fruit, cereals, jams, jellies, yogurts, quark and eggs.
Parking on the street was available for only Euros 3 per day from noon till noon with a neighborhood parking permit. This permit allowed parking along the side streets, but not on the main street that is controlled by parking meters. During my stay, there was never any problem with side-street parking that is limited to local residents and hotel guests.
Guests arriving by train will probably want to take a cab from the station to the hotel. From that point everything in Heidelberg is within walking distance. A shuttle to the airport is also available for Euros 30.
In the motor city of Stuttgart, I stayed at the Hotel Ketterer, Marienstrasse 3b. This street is actually an extension of Koenigstrasse, the main pedestrian and shopping street in downtown Stuttgart. The hotel is onlysteps from the palace and the castle and about a fifteen-minute walk to the train station at the opposite end of the Koenigstrasse.
Rooms are all nicely appointed and the bathrooms are excellent, some with double sinks and modern glass showers. The breakfast buffet is as good as any I have enjoyed with everything from local breads and jams to meats, cheeses, yogurt, cereal and eggs. Minibar charges for drinks are about the same prices as the bars and restaurants just outside the hotel doors.
The hotel faces a pedestrian street, however cars are allowed to enter to load and unload at the hotel. Very convenient underground parking is available behind the hotel with direct elevator access from the rooms.
Make reservations for these and any other Best Western hotel through ww.bestwestern.com or call their central reservations at 1-800-780-7234.
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5 Responses to “A Best Western European experience”
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I’m glad to hear your experiences were positive. It sounds like you are saying that Best Western exceeds the standards that they have in North America. I have been researching Best Western in the UK, most specifically London, and I am having a hard time figuring out which ones meet the minimum standards I’m looking for - non smoking room, not a basement, desk in room, high speed internet, etc. The reviews on tripdavisor are all over the map for some of them.
I haven’t been very recently, but the Holiday Inn Oxford Circus should meet your requirements. You should check for the Internet connection, but the hotel is really central (just behind Oxford Street), has a decent standard all over and is fairly inexpensive for London.
I stayed at the John Howard, just south of Hyde Park. It wasn’t exceptional, but an excellent value and convenient by foot to much of Kensington and good shopping just to the west. A walk across Hyde Park opens a whole new world with plenty of great Indian restaurants.
[...] Best Business Hotel in Europe by CNBC European Business magazine. Lodging in Heidelberg was with Best Western Alt Heidelberg. Lodging in Stuttgart was with Best Western Hotel [...]
Thank you Elisa and Charlie for your helpful tips. I will definitely check them out more and see how it works into my plans.
I really appreciate the feedback.
Bill