Haus Bergmann

Two friends and I were visiting a jazz festival that has taken place every year since 1963 in this smart little town. I booked on-line and took the cheapest place I could find. We were staying for just one night and I assumed that our accommodation would be 'basic' though clean and neat. 'Probably bearable', I suggested to my friends, "We'll be getting there late and leaving quite early so we'll put up with it. Haus Bergmann gave me one of the pleasantest surprises I've ever had. The hotel was quite extensive and had a delightful 'bier Garten'; it was decorated with geraniums and at least one lovely little balcony where one could enjoy the sun and a Pils. The rooms were excellent: high quality showers, quite spacious and really pleasant to be in. They were, of course, spotlessly clean and there was, in the décor, a kind of softness that was most attractive. We had been intending to explore the town for a restaurant for our evening meal, but the Hotel had made such a good impression that we decided to go no further. The evening meal was excellent. The cooking was good, the service attentive without being oppressive and the value for money was remarkable. I had a Westfallische Schnitzel and it was the best I've ever had. One of my friends, a German, said he rated the food here as highly as anywhere he'd been in Germany! The crowning delight was the overall cost. I had booked two rooms - a single and a double for a total of £106 ( which I could hardly believe ). The couple who had the double room found it fine and the visiting jazz band at the festival, who were also at Haus Bergmann, found the same. Breakfast involved plenty of well-cooked food. I had Spiegelei ( eggs, ham, turkey, salad, salami, chorizo ), bratwurst and as many extras as one wanted. When I got the bill for my single room + breakfast, I was disarmed. It had been quoted when I booked as 'about' 46 GBP and I was a little worried at the 'about'. Imagine my surprise when it came not to £46 but to £42! Have no idea why. I am already planning to go to next year's festival and will certainly book into Haus Bergmann. Everything about the place is good. Even the booking inspires wonder. They asked for no deposit and I was free to cancel up to 24 hours in advance with no penalty. Why can't all places be like this? Slightest of cautions: German service is efficient and attentive but can seem a little cool and detached. Small price to pay for the efficiency.