St. Goar or Bacharach

If you have travel insurance, you could add the price of the St Goar hotel to your insurance package (at least I've been able to with my travel insurance; YMMV). It would only be a few dollars... I've always stayed in St Goar...just because ;-) I finally made it to Bacharach on my last Rhine trip and liked it fine. In my opinion, they are very similar and it's easy enough to train from one to the other. I don't think staying in one over the other would be a major mistake - it's not like comparing Berlin vs Munich, or Berlin vs Paris. Others, however, do have opinions! (wait for 'em...)

We've been to Bacharach on 3 different occasions and just love it. We were suppose to stay at the Altkonisher Hof a couple of years ago, but had to postpone our trip due to health reasons. Unfortunately, the Altkonisher Hof was closed in October when we finally were able to go. But, a friend did stay there and really enjoyed it.

My personal vote would be to stay in Bacharach. It is more on the quiet intimate side of things and easier to just wander around in and take in all the neat half timbered buildings etc.

St. Goar has better riverfront scenery (3 castles visible from town) and a ferry that runs all day, allowing access to the train station in St. Goarshausen on the other side (good to know if you plan to visit east bank towns like Braubach - Marksburg Castle is there - and Rüdesheim, or if you plan to hike the Rheinsteig trail.) Rheinfels castle (self-guided tour) is in town (on the cliffs above town, that is.) Bacharach has more attractive half-timbered buildings and more wineries. Dining choices there might be a bit better overall too. I don't know the Altk'er Hof myself but check reviews for comments on train noise there and at any other hotels you're considering in Bacharach - it's a common complaint. Hotels located on Blücherstraße like im Malerwinkel are away from the tracks, tend to get good reviews and offer good prices; see Bavaria Ben's review near the end of this trip report: Ben's report Im Malerwinkel

Kathy, I'd also recommend Bacharach over St. Goar. I really enjoy the smaller town ambience of Bacharach, and there are some nice restaurants and small shops.

We stayed at both in 2009. Both were great and neither would be a mistake but for us St. Goar was clearly the winner. We especially liked viewing the river from the Hotel am Markt, while we ate or had an afternoon glass of wine. There is a ferry crossing and a boat landing within sight. Watching the these boats make tricky upstream landings while dodging working barges is like a ballet. The Rhine is more attractive at this point and there are pleasant walks along it, great for walking off the evening meal. See the Lorelei. Finally, the view of St Goar and St. Goarhausen across the river from Rheinfels castle was for me one of the best views of the Rhine. If you are willing to cut and paste: http://mcchelsea.smugmug.com/Germany-2009/Sankt-Goar-2009/8284489_t9dnnL#!i=542406532&k=jNNFxgr Again, Bacharach was very nice. Pension Malerwinkel was the best bargain for a room on that 2009 trip. Great trip either way.