The Place
The Buggle family have been at this site in Balduinstein since 1827 and in the days of coach-and-horse travel, Zum Baren was a well-known staging-post. Needless to say, Walter and his wife Margit make every effort to preserve the traditions of the running of the house, while bringing the interior right up to the present day. In the double rooms, colours are warm, all terracotta upholstery, pine floors and low lighting. In the tower room, pale blue walls and a plush red sofa covered in cushions add that little bit extra, though you won’t be disappointed by a normal double – all rooms exude quality and taste.
Walter is a self-taught cook and his restaurants reflect his love of fine ingredients and experimental recipes. The Kachelofen restaurant, where the Mediterranean-style menu is prepared in the eponymous titled kachelofen, offers such treats as stuffed saddle of rabbit on a wild mushroom risotto. The dining room itself is reminiscent of a country kitchen, with stone-coloured walls, stencilling, carved pine and pretty low-hanging pendant lamps. The other restaurant, housed in the former library, is more intimate, and reminds you of dining in a country manor house.