European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - February 1, 1990, Darmstadt, Hesse                                A Sample of Castle l i be the Emblem of the Gast in Schloss organization. The Holmberg Castle hotel has 55 Beds plus a restaurant animal Park and Golf course. By Mary Neth staff writer if you be always wanted to Sample Castle life. West Germany offers ample chances. The Countryside is dotted with castles and Many Are open to guests. These Castle hotels Range from Homey affairs nestled within town Walls to elaborate turreted Stone monuments on forested hilltops. A number belong to the Gas in Schloss Castle guest organisation which also arranges special Castle Tours and events. Others Are entirely private ventures. All Are loaded with history and offer surroundings that beg to be explored. Schloss Waldeck in Northern Hessen and Holmberg Castle in Bavaria Are examples of the contrasting types of Castle stays you la find offered. Imposing Schloss Waldeck is a luxury hotel within ancient Castle Walls. A Gast in Schloss member it commands the Hill above he Man made Ede see in one of the busiest tourist regions in Central West Germany. Holmberg which lies on the Road to the walled tourist City of Rothenburg of Der Tauber is fairly unpretentious and not nearly As modern. According to legend Waldeck which Means literally Corner of the Forest was established by a wandering Knight. On his Way though the Eder Valley he asked a Shepherd if he knew of a Good place to construct a Castle. Quot there on the Edge of the Forest Quot the Shepherd answered pointing to the Mountain that the Castle now crowns. The Castle that stood there in 1120 has Long since vanished. The present Day Waldeck was built in 117b by one of the counts of von Schwalenberg. His descendants known As the counts of Waldeck reigned in the area for 500 years. Waldeck was t always such a fancy place to spend the night the original 15-Roorn hotel seas a fairly modest undertaking. The Gast in Schloss Castle guide rated it on the lower end of its scale of Comfort with a restaurant in the Middle Price class. Today following two years of renovation and additions the hotel is listed As offering Superb Comfort and its restaurant has jumped to the High Price category. If it were not for the View of outside ramparts however there would be Little to remind a guest of Castle living. The Interior decor is not unlike that of any modern luxury class hotel. But the View from rooms bordering the Ede see is spectacular. Floor to ceiling windows provide a sweeping Panorama of the Lake and the surrounding Hills. Occupants Wake to the feeling of being suspended in space Between sky and water. All 43 guest rooms Are equipped with direct cull telephones televisions and full Baths. Single rooms Are priced from 110 to 125 Marks at 1.65 Marks to a Dollar $66 to $75 doubles Are 195 Marks $118 and suites run from 260 to 280 Marks $157 to $169. Extra amenities include White Terry cloth Robes to Wear to and from the first floor swimming Pool Sauna continued on Page 12 the ornate bridal suite in the Holmberg hotel. February to 1990 stripes Magazine 7 7