Hotel Review
Location:
Hotel Hirschen is located in a small village a five minute drive (3 km) from the charming lakeside resort of Schluchsee in the scenic Black Forest. The hotel is an ideal base for hiking, cycling and cross-country ski holidays being just 15 km from the Feldberg mountain and a 40 minute drive from Freiburg.
Arrival and check-in:
The hotel was easy to find and looked very appealing as we approached with its alpine style sloping roof and window boxes adorned with bright red geraniums. There was ample parking and after removing our luggage from the car boot we entered the hotel by its main door.
We were warmly welcomed at the front desk by the receptionist on duty and after confirming our dinner reservation, were soon being directed to our room on the first floor.
The Room:
Our room oozed country style with its rustic charm, comfortable beds, and a cosy window seating area with gingham print cushions adding a splash of colour. A glass door opened out onto a large wooden balcony furnished with a table and chairs which had idyllic views overlooking the tranquil countryside.
Sitting out there I could even hear the gentle sounds of cow bells from the surrounding meadows. The room also benefitted from a small en-suite bathroom with complimentary toiletries and large fluffy towels.
There was also ample hanging and storage space, a wall mounted television and a cooling fan.
Wi-Fi reception was patchy due to the hotel’s isolated location, working better in some parts of the building than others.
Dining:
Dinner: As a contrast from the rustic styled rooms, the hotel’s restaurant is a later contemporary styled addition, blending in perfectly with the original building. The dining area is on two levels with a separate room to one side that was being used for a private party at the time of our visit.
We enjoyed a delicious meal, the menu showcasing the best of Black Forest cuisine with the use of locally sourced produce. The waiting staff spoke very little English making it somewhat difficult to place our order but with patience, we managed to overcome the problem.
Breakfast: This is served buffet style with a large spread of fresh berries, yoghurt, cheese, cooked meats and boiled eggs. We accompanied our breakfast with a selection of bread, pastries and pots of freshly brewed coffee.
The Facilities:
The hotel has a cosy bar which leads onto the dining area. There’s also a sunny, outdoor terrace which is perfect for sipping drinks and/or dining on warm, sunny evenings. This was very popular on the evening of our visit with local residents enjoying an evening out.
The hotel participates in a scheme whereby cyclists can enjoy Black Forest holidays and have their luggage transported between hotels along their route.
Hotel Hirschen is also a partner in the Hochschwarzwald guest card system available to guests who stay two nights or more. Included in the card are 65 free services with additional offers at reduced prices.
Out and About:
Schluchsee
Schluchsee is the largest of the Black Forest lakes with a very picturesque setting and is very popular for water sports and bathing during the warm summer months. Take a stroll around part of the lake shore to the Amalienruhe, a rocky outcrop with a wooden ‘lookout’ pavilion located on a small peninsula before browsing the shops in the small town bearing the same name.
Triberg
Explore Triberg located approximately one hour by car from Schluchsee. The town is famous for its waterfalls which are one of the largest in Germany. Entrance to the waterfall trail is €8 with the ticket also including three of the town’s other attractions.
The waterfall originates from the Gutach River where it tumbles down 163m (535 ft) in a series of seven cascades which are beautiful to view. Take the path to the top of the falls for spectacular views of the cascade from above.
St. Blaisen
This small spa town is noted for its domed cathedral, thermal baths and beautiful gardens with a backdrop of the Feldberg mountain. The magnificent cathedral is of Baroque style and boasts the largest dome of its kind north of the Alps measuring 36 metres wide and 62 metres tall.
The interior contains 20 pillars that support the huge dome which is adorned with large fresco windows.
The appearance is quite unusual as it is completely white and flooded with natural daylight streaming in from its domed glass windows
Overall:
Our stay at Hotel Hirschen was a an absolute delight and we fell in love with the traditionally styled building with its gently sloping roof. Situated just a short drive from Schluchsee it offers a tranquil place to stay nestled among the lush meadows of the Black Forest.
Rooms are tastefully furnished and with top notch food it was hard to drag ourselves away from our short break there.
Details: Hotel Hirschen, Schluchseestraße 9, 79859, Schluchsee, Germany.
If you have enjoyed this post you may also like:
Triberg Waterfalls and the Black Forest Open-Air Museum, Gutach
Freiburg and the Hochschwarzwald (Black Forest)
During our stay we were guests of Visit Black Forest and as always, all views and opinions are entirely my own.
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