We were here mid-week and it was in the 30's so there were not many people out late at night on the street. Our room was directly over the dining room and restaturant entrance to the hotel and there is a large area out front with tables for nice weather. The hotel is pretty much on the water and 50 feet from the famous bridge tower. The hotel room was small; European size, not much room for 2 people to move around each other. The bathroom was tiny and one of the toiletreis provided is earplugs so I'm guessing it can be noisy. The reception is on the first floor at the top of a flight of stairs. Both women we encountered spoke English when our German failed us. Breakfast was included in the room rate and typical German with meat, cheese, fruit, bread and coffee. The parking was 8euros for overnight, your ticket is validated at reception for a 2E discount. The public parking garage is 8 blocks away and a 10 minute walk so best to pull up and drop the luggage before parking if you can. The tourist area and old town are easily navigable by foot. The walk to the top of the hill for the castle was not difficult if you are in shape.

Loved the location of this small hotel -- it is on the corner looking directly at the towers of the Alte Brucke, the old bridge. Also on the same street as Vetter's Alt Brauhaus, a microbrewing institution in Heidelberg that serves great goulash. The hotel itself is pleassant -- simply decorated, but certainly nice enough. The shower in our room though, I should point out (theEichendorff), was beyond tiny -- miniscule! It's impossible for an adult to enter it without taking the door literally out of it's position at the bottom to get in. Housekeeping was fine -- spotlessly clean. Breakfast was a basket of breads, a plate of cheeses and meats, a bowl of whole fruit to choose from, juice, coffee and tea. Folks at reception were mixed -- two friendly ladies and another shy person who seemed to duck when we came in, but no problem. I'd recommend the hotel on location alone. But I will say that we saw the Zum Ritter and it looked great, and the hotel over the Irish Bar is well located as well. Heidelberg is great!

Ok, I'll take partial blame for this. I knew this hotel was in the middle of the action. Great if you're there as a tourist. I went for business. The problem was the noise in the evening. Like most hotels in Europe, there is no A/C so if it is warm you need to keep windows open. It was VERY hot the few days I was there. I was ready to hit the bed at 2200 every night because I was up early for my business meetings. Unfortunately, the city life is going strong at that time and my windows were up two stories, overlooking the heart of the tourist area. The hotel actually provides ear plugs. I was surprised, they worked and were not that uncomfortable but it seems silly to be in a hotel and having to wear ear plugs. On the plus side - if you’re a tourist this location can not be beat. It may be the best in the city. The breakfast was really very very good. I looked forward to it in the morning. I found the staff VERY friendly. As already noted, the parking is a bit strange but not that big of a deal. You have to walk a couple blocks through the pedestrian/shopping area. You can drop your stuff off at the desk though so no big deal in my opinion. If you’re a tourist and plan on staying up late for dinner, fun, etc. Go for it. If you want to be asleep by 2230, you may want something a little more quiet.

The hotel and its location is simply wonderful. It overlooks the river and the historic Alten Brucke (Old Bridge). The ambiance is one of the most romantic locations in Europe. Having said that, the manner in which the proprietress treated us can only be described as rude and ugly. I had booked this hotel online and had prepaid for the room about 3 months in advance. When it was time to check out, she demanded that we pay for the room once again. I had lived in Germany for a number of years and explained very politely in good German and subsequently in English that I had paid for the room and she should have received payment from the online booking company. She literally flew into a rage screaming that she had had problems in the past with the online bookings and that I must pay her again for the room. I did so with my credit card and have had to pursue a rebate from the online service. The room and hotel were gorgeous, the location in Heidelberg is simply wonderful; however, beware the owner and her horrible approach to customer service. We actually laughed about it as we left town, but we were laughing in the manner that one would laugh at a Mel Brooks stereotype in one of his movies.

Okay, so I can't speak for every hotel in Germany but after 12 nights staying in various hotels throughout Germany, this was by far are most comfortable night of sleep. THey actually had REAL pillows, not those flat towel like pillows as are the norm in Europe. I believe our bedding also may have been Down, I'm not sure but the blanket was very fluffy and our matress was great. Another plus was that there was extra pillows and blankets in the amoire. I usually get cold in hotel rooms, and always have to ask the front desk for extra blankets, so this was definitely a plus having all this in our room. I know you don't go to Europe to lay down in your room, but after a long long day of walking, its nice to have a really comfortable bed. We slept in the Mark Twain room, which was very comfortable. The view overlooking the river was beautiful and the breakfast was one of the best we had on our trip. The only complaint I have is that parking was a pain. There was barely room for us to pull over and unload the car and the parking structure was quite a distance. Also, this parking structure is public, so there is a chance it will be full when you get there. Other than that I would definitely recommend the Goldener Hecht.