Wondering if anyone can recommend a good hotel/resort in the Garmish area. We had plans to stay at Edelweiss, but the rules have changed and our retired military status living in the U.S. is no longer eligible. We would be visiting in the summer; any recommendations would be appreciated.
Brian
If you consider Oberammergau to be in the "Garmisch area" I would highly recommend this place. I've stayed there twice. Good breakfast, great prices, speaks English. Close to the Bahnhof/bus station. She has a lot of guests from the NATO facilities in Oberammergau.
It's about half an hour by car, 45 minutes by bus from GaPa.
Not sure if swandav posts here. She does on Fodor's Forum and on Trip Advisor. I would search for similar queries there and take particular notice of any of her reports.
If you're looking for something like the Edelweiss, check out the descriptions and reviews on Tripadvisor where you'll see input from hundreds of previous visitors.
The extremely complete Garmisch-Partenkirchen site lists hundreds of lodging options, many that you won't find on the standard booking engines. Sift through them all to find just what you're looking for with the filters at the left.
Look under Germany reviews on this website for a posting from last November about apartments in Garmisch. We stayed a week in Garmisch in June (at edelweiss resort) and absolutely loved this area. There is so much to do! Many very nice hotels in the area. While it is disappointing eligibility rules have changed, the food at Edelweiss resort was extremely poor and you will probably find yourself better off staying in alternate lodging. The apartments in the review sounded good.
If you've never visited GaP before, Edelweiss would be my last choice, regardless of eligibility. Unless you're among the lower enlisted ranks, it isn't that cheap and it sits outside of town, surrounded by a high wall. Looks kind of like a prison from the outside.
Anyway, if budget is no concern, the nicest hotel in town (the Partenkirchen side, at least) is probably the Atlas Grand Hotel. If you stay here, try to request the Ludwig or Sissi suites. For a cheaper option just down the street, Gasthof Fraundorfer has comfortable rooms and a fun restaurant downstairs.
On the Garmisch side, I've stayed at Hotel Wittelsbacher Hof. Nothing wrong with this hotel, although the decor could use an update. But the location is very convenient to the Zugspitzbahn, the Kurpark (nightly concerts in the summer!), and the pedestrian shopping street.
Tom, it takes 5 minutes by bus to get downtown from Edelweiss resort. No big deal. It does have a wall around the large multi block compound, but it doesn't look or feel like a prison.
I have serious questions about how this resort will continue financially without US retirees staying at it. One very popular feature is their large selection of guided day trips throughout the area.
