The Place
On a steep wooded spur high above the Rhine, the Schonburg has the situation of a fairy-tale castle; and a castle it is, of sorts, with part of it built over 1000 years ago. But the building no longer conforms to fairy-tale norms: much of the hotel is contained in a red-painted Gothic construction between the towers.
Happily, the interior holds no disappointment, offering a subtle blend of comfort and romance. In the bedrooms, any traces of medieval gloom are banished by tasteful decoration and polished antiques. Each room is different in style; some tiny, some large, some (in one of the old towers) round. Some give breathtaking views of the Rhine, but others face the hills. The candlelit dining rooms are small, each with only six or seven tables, decorated with fresh flowers. The emphasis in the kitchen is on freshness, the major influence regional.
The engaging Huttls take tremendous pleasure in running their hotel personally, and the majority of their staff, although young, have been with them for some time. With three children of their own, they know how to cater for families.