European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - February 17, 1994, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Hotels views getting away from it All places to stay Bokath Splatt staff writer looking for a Quick weekend getaway in Central Germany consider a stay in a Castle hotel on the Rhine River. Want the perfect View in Paris consider a hotel with an unblocked View of notre Dame Cathedral. While neither hotel is cheap each can offer such a stunning View that it is Worth the occasional splurge. One of the More enjoyable places we be stayed in Germany is the auf schonburg overlooking the Rhine River near the town of Ober Wesel. It s a few Miles South of the Lorelei. The hotel was originally a Castle built in the 12th Century. Today it offers 22 rooms and apartments for modern Day Gentry. Our room had a Small Balcony with a tiny table and Bench for viewing River traffic As it cruised Down the Rhine the room was tastefully furnished in antique furniture. Not to mention an inconspicuous television that carried stations such As can and mtg. Our meals were served in different rooms. A breakfast Buffet was located in a Small room near the lobby lunch was in an open courtyard and dinner was in a More formal setting off the courtyard. A second Terrace offered a spectacular View of the Rhine and a relaxing environs to enjoy a Beer or Glass of wine. A Library sitting room with a Blaze burning in the fireplace was the perfect spot to enjoy an after dinner drink. We did t stumble on this place by Accident. It came highly recommended by a former co worker a sportswriter at the Houston chronicle. Every year after a Long season of covering the astros and the world series Harry and his wife would head to Europe for an extended vacation. Their trips always included a s4s Deborah Aba her Stop at this special hotel. Even if you Don t want to spend the night it s a great place to have lunch. Or just drive up the Hill and enjoy the View. Another special spot is the notre Dame hotel in Paris. This three Star facility was recently showcased in Conde Nast travel Magazine in a regular Back Page feature room with a View. The Magazine featured room no. 32. By the time we made our reservations that room was gone. We settled for room no. 42, which offered an equally impressive View. For four Days Over the Christmas holidays we awoke to the sight of the stunning Nutre Dame Cathedral. Our unobstructed View was catty cornered from the front of the Cathedral across the Seine River. Needless to say it was also a wonderful location for accessibility to the sights in Paris. The hotel was about equal walking distance from the louvre and Centre Georges Pompidou. Access to the m6tro was just across the Street. Remarkably the rooms were extremely quiet despite being located on a bustling Street. The hotel offers rooms at a lesser prices a Kathy Platt Burgh Elauf schonburg lop photo originally built in the 12th Century overlooks the Rhine right. Rooms Are furnished with Antiques above. But without the View so be sure to specify the View you want. The hotel offered a pricey but average for Paris breakfast about $8 that we took advantage of Only once. After three rugged Days of morning to night sightseeing we enjoyed fresh warm croissants and Coffee in bed while gazing at the Cathedral. Breakfast also is served near the front desk in a Small bar lounge area with a View of notre Dame. A Bistro located next door to the hotel offers meals from Early morning to late night. Just behind the hotel is a Large pedestrian area bordered by Boulevard , Boulevard Saint Germain and Rue Saint Jacques that s is Kathy plan lined with countless restaurants including French greek italian thai and chinese. Sandwich shops and crepe stands offer cheap Quick snacks or meals. At night Street entertainers ranging from fire eaters to mimes to musicians offer amusement along the Maze like Cobblestone streets. Souvenir shops that stay open late Are also sprinkled in this Lively area. This was my third trip to Paris and this special hotel and location made it the most memorable. We can t guarantee that your stays will be As pleasant As ours but both hotels pass our litmus test Well be Back. /6 stripes Magazine february 17, 1994