Hello. My husband and I are looking at Best of Germany for July 2027. We took the Heart of Greece tour in 2019, and wow, I cannot imagine anything topping that, but we will give this tour a go. My question is, we are at a point where if we are able to open our hotel window for fresh air, we sleep great, and if not, we do not. Since RS Tours usually books smaller, locally owned hotels, I am thinking most windows do open, but can anyone who has been on this tour in the past few years confirm this? Thank you so much in advance. I know hotels can change from year to year, but am checking for general trends. Much appreciated!
Posted by
Greeley, co, usa
3143 posts
Opening windows to air out houses is a very German activity, so it is unlikely that they won’t open. However they probably won’t have screens
Posted by
sebastopol, ca, usa
3 posts
I LOVE this question... it's one of my first word searches when I look at hotel reviews. ( window) I'm not a picky traveler but need fresh air!
Posted by
Oberpfalz, Germany
1684 posts
Unless you are in a US style business hotel with air conditioning, opening windows should not be a problem.
Posted by
Sydney, Australia
428 posts
Just to let you know - in German houses, modern windows open two ways. When the handle is turned sideways, the window opens sideways. But when the handle is turned up, the window is tilted and opens only at the top. This allows you to air a house without having to open the window completely (and I guess is safer). In most smaller hotels, you will be able to open the windows.
Also: in public buildings such as libraries, there is a law (I want to say everywhere in Germany but I don't know) that you have to air the building at midday. So when you are going for lunch, the librarian will open all of the windows in the reading room, even in winter!
Lavandula
Posted by
Duluth🌲
12981 posts
I know that airing out buildings, whether public or private is pretty much ingrained in the German culture, but there is definitely no law that requires it. 😊
But I do like being in Germany, knowing that windows do get opened and all that wonderful fresh air can come in.
Posted by
OP
Santa Clara, CA
5 posts
Thank you, everyone! It sounds like this Germany is the perfect choice for our fresh air needs. Safe travels to all! We are really looking forward to this trip next July. Cheers!
Posted by
Sioux Falls, SD, USA
3345 posts
The point about "no screens" is correct. We do see very very few bugs. So this is not an issue.
Posted by
Salem, Oregon, USA
4322 posts
I also prefer fresh air, but have found that a closed up room is slightly more tolerable with a small portable fan. I bought this compact hand held fan that can be folded so it sits on a night stand. It's USB-C rechargeable and fully juiced it lasts almost a full night. I've taken to using it at home, too. https://a.co/d/0cakLkO8
Posted by
176 posts
Premier Inn Hamburg near St. Pauli answered me, that the windows can‘t be open.
Melia Hotel Dusseldorf windows were locked. I had to ask at the reception and to signed a letter, that I don‘t want a room with a locked window.
The same at Hyatt Regency Hotel Cologne. The windows were locked. I got the information that there only a few rooms to open a window. Had to ask and sign a letter.
Posted by
Vancouver, Canada
150 posts
In many/most of the hotels in Germany I've stayed, windows in hotel rooms, particularly on upper floors, can be opened.
Ah, the wonderful "Kippfenster": what an absolute beaut.
While the following YouTube reel is a little fast and entirely (but hilariously) in German, the video does show the general usage:
Handle vertically "down": closed and locked
Handle "horizontal": window opens into room
Handle vertically "up": window "gently leans" from the top of the frame into room
Posted by
Minnesota
813 posts
HL fotoeins - That YouTube video really is hilarious! Thanks.
Posted by
Wyckoff, NJ, USA
8814 posts
I presume you know that some hotels can have noisy pedestrians walking by at night. Years ago, it was reported by posters here that some "living local" RS hotel rooms came with earplugs. I have not been on an RS tour.
One reason some hotels have operable windows is that they have no air conditioning.