When I book a hotel, I am looking for a minimum level of comfort, at a very good price, in a location that is easy to get to by public transportation. Here are some of the things I have noted while either visiting or living in Germany.

Booking a hotel in Germany
These days the best way to find and book a hotel is online. I normally use one or two trusted web sites; for example, hrs.com. HRS is a good site because you can find good deals which often include breakfast, something important for the budget traveler. For business travel, companies often book directly by phone and then fax a confirmation to the hotel. The great thing about this is that hotels will, on request and if in writing, send the bill directly to your company and the employee does not have to pay for their stay themselves. This is great for small companies whose employees do not have company credit cards.

Check in
When you check into a hotel, you are normally required to fill in a form with your address, phone number and then must sign the form. This is only required of one guest though, and not of all guests staying in the room. In the past, hotel guests used to have to give over their passport but those days seem a thing of the past here. Smaller hotels or perhaps the more trusting kind do not require a credit card to be presented at check in. Big chain hotels are similar to those around the world though, and require a credit card to be swiped before you are given your room key.

And speaking of room keys: You will not find convenient, portable credit-card type keys in smaller hotels or those in smaller towns and villages. The old-fashioned, bulky, must-be-turned-in-when-you-leave-the-building room keys are predominant there.

The rooms
In general, I find the average two or three-star hotel room to be utilitarian: Ikea-type wooden furniture with a clean bathroom, often with a shower rather than a bath tub. The beds are often the biggest surprise for first-time visitors. Beds built for two are often just that: two single beds or two smaller mattresses in one bed. And bedding? There are not usually any top sheets, but instead a down (or unfortunately in some cases, a polyester filled) blanket that has its own removable sheet-like duvet cover. This acts as both your sheet and your blanket. And do not expect a blanket for two. What you get are two separate bed covers. That way each person has their own bedcover and can keep himself warm as they see fit. Sound romantic? Not especially. I make a joke of it because, quite often, I end up sleeping on the crack of the two beds and trying to keep all limbs covered and warm!

Breakfast
Breakfast, as we know, is said to be the most important meal of the day. Breakfast at a two or three-star hotel can be hit or miss. A German breakfast is often rolls with cheese and sliced meat. A good hotel will in this class will have various types of rolls, cheese and meat on offer, as well as yogurt and fruit. Boiled eggs are often offered as well but that is likely the only hot food you will find. Oh, and do not forget the Nutella! A four-star hotel will have much more hot food on offer; however, I find breakfast in a chain hotel of this caliber much more similar to North American standards. All in all, though, a simple German breakfast with a few high-quality items on offer is all you need to get ready for a busy day.

Check-out time
Check-out time is 11:00 am. If you are lucky, you may find it to be 12:00. In my experience, this is rare though. However, a well-placed word at the desk after breakfast tends to get your stay extended by 30 minutes.

Speaking English at German hotels
I have encountered only rare instances when hotel staff do not understand a word of English. Even if the person is shy or cannot speak English, they often understand what you want. Sign language and body language will help, getting frustrated will not. And hotel staff are very helpful giving you advice on public transportation and recommendations on different activities in their area.

I stay at a hotel at least once a quarter, sometimes more often. It depends on my travel plans, my bank balance, and the list of sights I have tagged as being worthy of a weekend trip. Once you get used to German hotels, you won’t mind the differences between these hotels and what you are used to.