Seehotel Garni Pöllmann

On the way to Hotel-Restaurant Pöllmann my host -- I had been invited to speak at a conference -- seemed apologetic. "It's a bit old-fashioned," she said from behind the wheel, looking over at me. "But really it's quite nice." During my two nights' stay I came to agree with her. Now and again, you see, I was brought up short because something that one expects in 2019 simply was not there -- a teakettle and a few sachets of instant coffee in the room for those who get up early (breakfast from 0730, and a good breakfast it was, too); a mini-fridge in the room to let one squirrel away a snack or two for ditto, or for child-silencing at all hours; a shower curtain; barriers along the balcony to discourage strangers who might want to go traipsing from room to room; no Abfallbehaelter on the breakfast tables into which to drop the empty jelly packets and butter-pat wrappers (which on a breezy sunlit terrace meant grabbing over and over again at bits of trash suddenly borne aloft). Nothing more than a "Well, how about that!" and a shrug. Nowhere a serious deficit; just -- 1980s. The area is beautiful, the staff are charming and will do anything to accommodate one (including laughing at one's jokes; thank you, ladies!), the internet connection is brisk, the kitchen turns out delicious food, the hotel is immaculately clean, the towels are large and fluffy, and the hot-water supply is ample, even if much of it does wind up on the floor. (Yes, the missing shower curtain.) Certainly I would come back here on my own chalk and pay out of my own pocket. Think of it as a bit of a time-capsule and enjoy yourselves! All the more so if you have a little immersion heater and some Nescafé to bring along.