We want to spend a couple of nights in the south-west corner of Baden-Wurttemburg (Freiburg, Offenburg or Baden-Baden ish). We're looking on the cheap end, as we are travelling with our kids, so need two rooms. I know there's probably a way to find the smaller places but I can't remember the details. Through the local town websites perhaps? Any tips for me, or your favourite towns/b&bs to recommend?
Thanks!
Gengenbach is a great town and a good base town for visiting the towns you mention and much more in the Black Forest.
Here is the TI office search page with thousands of Black Forest options.
https://www.schwarzwald-tourismus.info/planen-buchen/uebernachten
You do not necessarily have to book at this source - you can usually do that with some other booking engine you prefer, or privately with the owner - but this is no doubt the most complete source for the area you are visiting. If you find a place you like/want, look up their homepage, or search for it at your booking engine of preference.
Found this place in Gengenbach at €50/night / 4 persons using random dates. I'm sure your travel dates will work better for you :)
If you think you might cancel any reservation you make, you must check out the conditions for refund (if any) in advance with the owner. If none are stated, make no assumptions; you have no right to a refund of funds paid and are required to pay for the entire period you book under German law UNLESS the owner has a policy that makes allowances. When I book, I check those things. And I put any place that requires a deposit at the bottom of my list. Many owners do not, and prepayment with private rentals can often be a lot of hassle.
Gengenbach is an old walled town with towers on the scenic Black Forest Railway and one of the KONUS towns which offer free transport on rail and bus.
Russ, that's great information, thank you so much. I will also be careful re cancellation policies, and enquire to make sure we all have the same understanding.
I can recommend Steepleview House in Bad Peterstal-Griebach. They have a couple of apartments that would work well for a family in addition to some rooms. The owners are really helpful with planning things in the area, too. Here is the website
Couple more tips...
1.) The "Vogtsbauernhof" is a very worthwhile open-air museum in Gutach, which shares the Black Forest Railway with Offenburg, Gengenbach and other worthwhile destinations.
This relief map shows the course of the BF Railway and several but not all) stops on the way.
The route map at this wiki page shows all the train stops (and all the tunnels) on the BF Railway.
2.) When choosing a base town for outings, the German Railways site is very handy for gathering information on travel time, connections, transport vehicles (bus/train mostly) for any journeys you might make.
Look up "Ferien Wohnungen" in whatever town you are looking at staying in. This gives you official vacation apts.
Two years ago December we had a delightful day trip to Staufen. Check it out. It's pretty and quaint and was quiet (except the wonderful Schwarzwaldschon im Rathaus Café) during our visit. Afterward we drove a few miles north to the Christmas market in Freiburg - it was packed. Sorry I can't provide any hotel recommendations as we were based in Colmar, France.
