Burghotel Lauenstein

Most of my family still lives in Germany and when I get «home» for a visit, I like to have a get-​away sometimes. This incredibly beautiful and romantic castle hotel is in a small village deep in the mountains of the Franconian Forest in far northern Bavaria. It is some effort to get to it, but it’s one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever been in my whole life!
The village of Lauenstein is small, but has a nice selection of shops. If you come in on the train, as I did, you get off at a tiny unmanned station on the opposite side of the village from the castle, but the management is only too happy to send a van to pick you up.
The castle hotel itself sits on a high hill overlooking the village and is a very popular wedding destination in Germany. One was going on when I arrived and the bride’s family was so gracious that when they saw me, they insisted that I attend the reception! Talk about flattering!
The rooms are first class, the restaurant is beyond delicious, and the staff are incredibly friendly and helpful. There is a whole range of local activities that the hotel can arrange for you, hill walking, tours, etc. The hotel itself is a semi-​ruined ancient castle in the courtyard of a larger and newer (though still quite old) castle which was built around it. There is a nice tour and a small museum.
Now the coolest part! This place is actually owned by the Bavarian state government, so the prices are subsidized. Rooms go from $ 30-​$ 100 per night! OMG!!! It’s incredible to stay at a place this posh for $ 100 a night for the best room in the house!!!
There is no way I can urge you strongly enough to invest the time in getting to Burghotel Lauenstein. It’s remote, but it’s worth any effort! The area is beautiful beyond description and the hotel is incredible. This is now a regular destination for me!