For those of you who wanted to stay at the military hotel Edelweiss in Garmisch, they have just come out with a new enforcement of rules that they seem to have ignored for a long time. This might affect some vacation plans, especially those with families that were counting on staying here.
http://www.stripes.com/news/some-us-troops-and-veterans-now-barred-from-garmisch-s-edelweiss-resort-1.359019
Posted by
The Heartland USA
8423 posts
That is too bad. A great facility. I was looking forward to staying there again.
Posted by
Seattle, WA
3 posts
Existing reservations made prior to 6-10-15 will still be honored. Thankfully, we made our's in May, so we are fine. I really hope they can work things out with the German government to get this opened up again. MWR facilities are really special for military families, and we're really looking forward to our visit. If these new rules stay, this visit will be our first and last :(
Posted by
OP
Frankfurt, Germany
8938 posts
I doubt it that either the German nor the US government cares about this issue. The Germans just want the tax revenue. The same SOFA rules apply to retirees living here, they can't shop at the PX and Commissary without a special tax form and they have to pay the regular 7%-19% VAT on everything. Makes it useless to go shopping on base.
Posted by
Salt Lake City
1479 posts
I stay at the Edelweiss years ago and it was an enjoyable visit.
Still, I understand and appreciate what the VAT (Value added tax) supports. I had a minor accident in Würzburg in April requiring an ambulance ride, EMT treatment and then sutures by a surgeon in an ER. The total bill came to less than $150. I understand that public services like this are partially underwritten by the VAT. You could multiply my bill by 10 and come closer to the bill in the USA. It gave me a new appreciation for the VAT that I have been paying during my travels in Germany. I understand the German government's insistence that it be paid.
Posted by
Florida, USA
12172 posts
Hopefully it will make it easier for those who do qualify to book.
I've never stayed there, and I'm retiring from the Air Guard in December - so probably won't stay unless it's at the end of a longer vacation (or I take a job in Europe).