Please sign in to post.

Any hotel recommendations for Esslingen and Dinkelsbuhl?

Hi folks. We are getting excited about seeing some Christmas markets this year! We'd like to stay in Esslingen and Dinkelsbuhl for a night each as we wander around Bavaria/Baden Wurttemberg. (Just the two of us travelling for the first time in 20+ years! We avoided one night stays when travelling with the kids, but we're just two intrepid travellers now, footloose and fancy free. Yes, I'm excited about that!)

We were in that area in May, and actually tore up our RS Germany guide as Rick directed before we went--so now we don't have the section of the book we need! We have a couple of nights booked for Rothenburg odT already. I know we could day trip to Dinkelsbuhl from RodT but we want to be able to wander the market at leisure without worrying about how we get home that night. I'd love some first hand recommendations.

Thanks.

Posted by
5620 posts

https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/trip-reports/christmas-markets-switzerland-france-germany-2019

Attached is my Trip Report from our wonderful and magical Xmas markets trip. Perhaps you'll find some helpful tips.

Would you consider staying in Stuttgart and take the S-Bahn to Esslingen? It's a short about 15 min train ride. And- the Stuttgart markets are a lot of fun, with the roofs of the vendor huts elaborately decorated.

You mentioned that you have already booked some hotels. We found that many hotels were fully booked by June, especially on the weekends.

Have a great trip!

Posted by
263 posts

Pat I DID read your trip report, thank you so much for posting it! And I'm booking now because you said to. :) Was delighted to still get something we wanted in Rothenberg, but I am finding that many places are indeed booked...

I'm not finding much in Esslingen to be honest, so may look at Stuttgart.

Thank you again for sharing your experience.

Posted by
7304 posts

The markets in Esslingen am Neckar and Stuttgart are really excellent. If you have time for one, Esslingen is the most unique, but make sure to at least stroll through the one in Stuttgart.

There are hardly any hotels in Esslingen, so look in Stuttgart. Back in Dec 2018, I had stayed at the Central Classic Hotel, which was cheap, convenient to the S-Bahn, and really fine, next to the pretty Feuersee and still within walking distance from the Christmas market area.

Posted by
263 posts

Thanks Balso. I looked up the Central Classic and it does seem to fit the bill. You're right there's not much in Esslingen.

Posted by
5620 posts

When we were in Stuttgart for the Feast of St. Nicholas, Dec 6, our hotel had hung a bag of traditional treats on our doorknob, and St Nick himself was handing out pretzel Santa's in the breakfast room!

Posted by
263 posts

That sounds wonderful! We're planning on being in Rothenburg on the 6th--I hope our hosts have the same thought!

Posted by
2480 posts

In Dinkelsbühl there is the nice traditional inn "Weib's Brauhaus" with a small brewery (run by a female brewmaster), organic regional food and a few guest rooms.

Posted by
33859 posts

We have enjoyed the Weisses Roß in Dinkelsbühl http://www.hotel-weisses-ross.de/ several years ago. I don't think it is part of the Flair cooperative any longer although it still shows as a member on the app, but not on the website.

Lovely folks, nice room, good breakfast, great location.

This was pre-covid so don't know how it has changed them.

They manage in English but it is easier if you speak German.

Look out for the storks in the centre of the altstadt - look up! There's even a stork-cam at the TI and a couple of other places.