VT hasn't listed this inn, so consider this an "insider's tip" :-)
In December 2007 we decided to spend a night in Heidelberg in order to enjoy the Xmas market, restaurants, pubs, etc. and not have to worry about catching the last night train back to my village. I'd always wanted to stay in one of the historic small hotels in the old town, and decided to search the internet for some of the hotels I have seen on my previous visits to the city.
The "Hackteufel Inn" is a restaurant with a long tradition located in the Steingasse;
it was mentioned in a document for the first time in the 16th century and renamed the "Gasthof Grüner Baum" (Green Tree Inn) in 1836. In 1954 it was completely renovated.
Before the dam at Karlstor (Karl's Gate) was built the "Hackteufel" was the name of a narrow passage at this spot in the Neckar river where currents & submerged rocks made life difficult for fishermen. Legend says, if a ship went under it was because a demon (the "Hackteufel") was hooking down ships into the churning depths of the river. The street on the Neckar between the Karlstor and the Alte Bruecke (Old Bridge) was named the Hackteufel in memory of this legend.
(info from their website)It is also located right next to the historic brewery / restaurant "Vetter"
(see my restaurant tip)
Unique Qualities: There are only a handful of cosy, impeccably clean, cosy and welcoming rooms and although you're in the centre of the old town, the rooms are very quiet. We checked-in and found a complimentary bottle of wine and water in our room. I searched the corners of the modern bathroom for those ever-feared tiny black hairs of previous guests... and found nothing. The linen, floors, tub, etc. are all exceptionally clean and well-maintained.
The owner's family are very hospitable, and in the morning hotel guests are invited to share the breakfast buffet together with the staff in the downstairs restaurant: buns, eggs, cereals, breads, joghurt, coffee, fresh juices - a seemingly small but yet extensive buffet sets you up for the day ahead!
The hotel has an elevator for guests with heavy luggage or walking difficulties. You are also given a key for the "night door" in case you return to the hotel after their restaurant & reception has closed.
You can also view a video about the hotel on their website.
Prices (2007/08):Single room 85-135 Euros.
Double room 125-165 Euros.
--> Ask for weekend specials!
We paid 165 Euros for the "Liselotte Stube" room & found it very reasonable in comparison to other hotels in the vicinity.
All in all: I'd definitely stay here again!
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Theme: Hotel
Comparison: about average
Prices: US$80-120
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Phone: 0049-6221-905 380
Address: Steingasse 7, 69117 Heidelberg
Directions: in the old town, in the alley that leads from the "Heilig Geist" church down to the old Bridge.
LOCATION MAP: http://www.hackteufel.de/pics/lageplan.jpg
Website: http://www.hackteufel.de/english/eframeset.htm
Other Contact: E-mail: hotel@hackteufel.de
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on Feb 12, 2008
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