Where to go
SCHWANGAU, Germany—The hills are truly alive with the sound of music.
If you have been hit by more than one of Cupid’s arrows and romance is in the air, then I definitely have the hotel for you to experience with that someone special in your life.
It is here, nested in the Bavarian Alps and in the shadow of King Ludwig’s Neuschwanstein Castle you will find Villa Ludwig (www.suitehotel-neuschwanstein.de), an utterly charming and intimate four-star hotel just off the crowded tourist paths to the castle that are so frequented during summer months that you can barely see the pavement in front of you.
No, Villa Ludwig paints itself as part of the community and rightly so, located next to a local German middle school.
Jeff and Cris at Villa Ludwig
Once a stately old mansion in 1899, it was acquired “by the family Schönauer-Wacker and completely redone. The romantic and elegant boutique hotel at the foot of Neuschwanstein Castle is inspired by its attractive architecture and represents légères living at a high level”.
It is this same family that also owns and operates the famed Hotel Alpenstuben located less than ½ kilometer away.
Where Hotel Alpenstuben caters to the middle-of-the-road tourists who flock to this small hamlet from all corners of the globe, its parent property Villa Ludwig, most definitely dials down the noise and hustle of the madding crowd and really turns on the charm from official teatime to evening snacks with a wide variety of the finest cheeses and local delicacies.
This is one of the few hotels that actually asks its guests to leave.
Really!
Our hotel matron pushed my wife Cris Evert and myself out the door and into a waiting car to take us to the nearby village of Füssen—less of a town and more than a collection of shops—and an instant time machine teleportation back at least four decades into the past.
villa Ludwig
Finding ourselves out of all things—toothpaste—and on a Sunday morning no less, our exploration of Füssen was one of initial frustration. We did find a tube of paste at a faraway gas station but it was the exploration of this lovely village that made the journey for Cris and me so special.
Sitting in the cool winter’s air next to the active train station, Cris met and became fast friends with several youngsters who came by to try out their English words with us. It was great fun and we all exchanged our Facebook information.
Creating romance may be one thing, but what Villa Ludwig has going for it is the rich culture of the South Germany people. They are, by far, some of the nicest, most friendly people you will ever meet and our experience in their city was made so much better with their charming smiles and friendly and outgoing demeanor.
Cris’ new friends
Back at the hotel, we found our pick of rooms, from single rooms to luxurious suites such as the “Tristan and Isolde” which at 350 sq. feet features “living/sleeping room with romantic double bed, seating area, desk, minibar, safe, flat screen TV, large bathroom with corner bath, shower, hairdryer, cosmetic mirror, toiletries and fluffy robes.”
Sounds great to me.
There is also the Lohengrin Suite at a stunning 480 sq. ft. of living space to the Lohengrin Superior Suite which offers two balconies for unobstructed views of the castle.
And the view during evening’s twilight is spectacular!
Cris’ personal favorite was the fully equipped spa with incredible packages including hot stones, honey massage and the Cleopatra cream wrap.
Whatever your flavor and desire, Villa Ludwig is made for lovers young and old. Best rates for booking are done online at www.suitehotel-neuschwanstein.de and staff can assist in transportation arrangements as well.
* Questions, comments or travel suggestions, write me at [email protected].
