Unbelievable Hotel in Weil am Rhein: Ott's Secret Garden Awaits!
Unbelievable Hotel in Weil am Rhein: Ott's Secret Garden Awaits! (A Review That Actually Feels Real)
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because I've just survived… I mean, experienced Ott's Secret Garden. And lemme tell you, this ain't your average cookie-cutter hotel review. We're diving deep, folks. We're talking gritty reality, the good, the bad, and the utterly baffling. Prepare for a wild ride.
Let's Get This Accessibility Out Of The Way (Because It's Important!)
Okay, so the official line is: "Facilities for disabled guests available." And, yeah, the hotel says it’s on board with accessibility. The elevator? Check. But I'm not a wheelchair user, so I can't give a super-detailed account, but I did notice the restaurant (which, more on that later, was a whole thing) seemed pretty level. But, honestly? The ramps leading into the garden? A bit… steep. So take that with a grain of salt. (Accessibility: Mixed bag, check specifics depending on your needs!)
The Internet… Oh, The Internet… And The Free Wi-Fi That Wasn't Always Free-Feeling
"Free Wi-Fi in all rooms!" Huzzah! Or so I thought. Look, when the Wi-Fi worked, and it did, sometimes, it was fantastic. Streamlined. But the rest of the time? It was a maddening dance of disconnects. Let's just say I spent more time staring at loading screens than composing this review. Also, the "Internet access – LAN" listing made me chuckle. Who even has LAN cables anymore?! (Internet: Hit or miss to be honest.)
Cleanliness and Safety: The Sanitizer Whisperer
Alright, the hygiene game here is STRONG. Like, Olympic gold medal strong. Hand sanitizer everywhere, staff masked up, and the air just smelled clean… in a good way. The "Anti-viral cleaning products," the "Rooms sanitized between stays," the "Daily disinfection in common areas"… it felt comforting, especially considering the current state of the world. They were taking things seriously. This is a big plus in my book. (Cleanliness & Safety: A+ for effort!)
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: The Buffet Battles and the Surprisingly Good Schnitzel
Okay, the restaurant. That’s where things got… interesting. Breakfast was a buffet, which, if you're like me and have a healthy love for a good scramble, is a win. BUT, it was also a buffet during a pandemic. They tried to manage it, with gloved attendants and individually wrapped everything. But it still felt like a bit of a free-for-all. Shudders. The coffee, though? Surprisingly decent. And the schnitzel I had one night? Chef's kiss. Actually, scratch that, two chef's kisses. Pure, crispy, glorious perfection. The pool-side bar? Cute. But the happy hour? Not so much. (Dining: Buffet is hit or miss in my experience. The schnitzel, though… Worth the trip.)
Things to do (or, Trying to Relax While Wondering If You'll Ever Get Wi-Fi Again)
The "Swimming pool with view" was gorgeous. Seriously, stunning. It overlooked the garden, which, as the name suggests, is secret, lush, and lovely. Perfect to unwind. I tried. The spa was… well, I didn't actually go. The sauna, the steamroom… sound fantastic. But the inconsistent Wi-Fi kept pulling me back, and I ended up just pacing, muttering about buffering times. (Things to Do: Beautiful garden, pool a huge plus if it's your jam, but the Wi-Fi? Prepare for some digital detox.)
The Room: My Little Sanctuary of… Mostly Good Things
The rooms were… fine. Clean. Comfy bed. The "extra long bed" suggestion I thought was weird, but hey… I'm a sucker for good sleep. I appreciated the "complimentary tea" and the mini-fridge, and the blackout curtains were AMAZING. The "soundproofing"? Not bad, though I could swear I heard a faint schnitzel sizzling in the air vents one night. Maybe it was the memory of that meal… (Rooms: Solid, functional, but not exactly swoon-worthy.)
Services and Conveniences: The Good, the Baffling, and the "Wait, Did They Say ‘Shrine’?"
The "concierge" was helpful. The “luggage storage” was available, which I needed. The "daily housekeeping" was diligent. The "car park [free of charge]" was a massive bonus. But then… the list gets weirder. A "shrine"? What kind of shrine? To schnitzel? To good Wi-Fi? (I kid, I kid… mostly.) Also, and I’m just being honest here, the "Cash withdrawal"? It made me realize that I had forgotten to bring my wallet, because I thought that I was going to be able to pay with my phone, and I had to go to the gas station to withdraw the money to pay for the hotel. So, that was fun. (Services: A mixed bag, but mostly helpful, just… expect some curveballs.)
For the Kids: I didn't have any kids with me. So I don't know. I didn't have any kids with me, so I can't speak to the "baby sitting service" or "kids meal" opportunities. (For the kids: Don't have the information.)
Getting Around: Easy Peasy (Mostly)
“Airport transfer” – Perfect. “Car park [free of charge]”- Awesome. Getting around was easy enough. No complaints here. (Getting around: Easy.)
Overall Impression: Is Ott's Secret Garden Worth It?
Look, Ott's Secret Garden ain't perfect. It's got its quirks, its Wi-Fi woes, and a buffet that could trigger a mild anxiety attack. But, you know what? It's also genuinely charming. The garden itself is breathtaking. The staff is friendly (even if they are a bit tired of the eternal questioning about the Wi-Fi), the schnitzel is divine.
Would I recommend it? Yes. But with a few caveats:
- Manage your Wi-Fi expectations. Download what you need before you arrive.
- Embrace the buffet… cautiously.
- Take advantage of that beautiful garden. Seriously, it's worth the visit alone.
- Bring some cash. Just in case.
- Don't take my word, that is just one person's opinion.
Final Verdict: Mostly good vibes. A little bit of chaos. And a whole lot of schnitzel-fueled memories. I had fun, you might too
Unbelievable Luxury Awaits: Oga Seiko Grand Hotel, Japan!
Okay, buckle up, buttercups. This isn't your meticulously planned, highlight-packed travel brochure. This is me, wrestling with the delicious chaos of a few days at Ott's Hotel, beer garden and restaurant in Weil am Rhein, right on the border of Basel, Switzerland. Consider this less a schedule and more a fever dream transcribed onto paper (or screen, whatever).
Day 1: Arrival, Annoying Cross-Border Shenanigans, and Beer That Saved My Soul
14:00: Arrive at Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg Airport (BSL). Okay, first observation: this airport is…weird. Feels like three different airports crammed into one. Navigating is a minor triumph in itself. The taxi, thankfully, knew the way. Thank God for taxi drivers when you’re jet-lagged and your brain feels like scrambled eggs.
15:00: Check into Ott's. Instantly charmed. The pictures online don't do it justice. It's all wonky beams, hanging flower baskets, and that distinctly European smell of old wood and good cooking. Found my room. Simple, clean, but missing that crucial bottle opener…the first of many minor annoyances to come.
15:30: The Swiss Border. Ugh. I'd foolishly assumed I could just stroll into Basel. Turns out, no. Border control is a proper affair. Passport check, questions (why am I here? What's my business? Do I have anything to declare? Um, my love of cheese?). The border guard looked utterly unimpressed with my attempts at charming humor. Finally, I got through. Lesson learned: plan for border bureaucracy. Always.
16:30: Back to Ott's. The Beer Garden. This is where the magic happens. I needed to decompress, so I immediately ordered a local brew from the menu in Ott's that I'd been researching. The beer arrives. Holy Hannah. The first sip… pure, golden, fizzy heaven. Life, suddenly, felt manageable. The sun was shining, the birds were chirping, and I was reasonably sure I could survive the next 72 hours.
17:00: Wandering the garden. I watched the locals. The contented smiles, quiet conversations in German I barely understood, the clinking of glasses. It was a scene straight out of a postcard, except the postcard was actually enjoyable. I overheard a group of older ladies playing what, I later learned, was skat. They looked so intense, and yet, there was so much joy in their gestures.
19:00: Dinner in the Weinwirtschaft (Wine restaurant). This is the real deal. It was a beautiful space. I ordered the Schnitzel because, when in Germany… Well, it was enormous. Like, practically a whole pig transformed into a crispy, golden masterpiece. And the sauce, oh, the sauce! I'm not even exaggerating when I say it single-handedly revitalized my jaded soul. Stuffed, happy, and slightly tipsy. My "perfect first day" dream was mostly realized, except for that bottle opener.
21:00: Back to the beer garden. Another beer. This time, I struck up a conversation with a friendly local. He spoke very good English, and we chatted about everything from the best hiking trails (I'm not a hiker, but I pretended to be interested), to the price of… well, almost everything. He also shared some local secrets, like where to buy the VERY best chocolate (Basel, obviously). His generosity and warmth made me feel incredibly welcome.
22:00: Bedtime. Exhausted but content. Still no bottle opener, but a determined plan to acquire one by morning. And a very loud snore from the room next door…
Day 2: Basel, Brushstrokes, and the Unexpected Price of Cheese
09:00: Breakfast at Ott's. The breakfast buffet was…well, it was European. A decent selection of bread, cheese, cold cuts, and the all-important coffee. Missing a proper bacon, but whatever. Fueling up for the day.
10:00: Basel! The city of art and, apparently, exorbitant cheese prices. I took the tram directly from Weil to Basel (easy and efficient - why can't all public transport be this good?). The city is gorgeous, a blend of old and modern.
11:00: The Kunstmuseum Basel. Prepare to be humbled by art. I'm no art critic, mind you, but the collection is breathtaking. I spent hours wandering through rooms filled with Picassos, Monets, and Holbeins. I spent far too long in front of a particularly haunting portrait of a sad-looking woman, utterly lost in its melancholy. I really should've taken some notes, but I was too engrossed.
13:00: Lunch in Basel. Found a charming little café. I wanted to try some local cheese, so I ordered a sandwich. And then I saw the price. *My jaw *actually* dropped. Swiss cheese is, apparently, an investment. I paid it, however, because who am I to deny myself the cheese?*
14:30: Exploring the old town. Basel has a storybook feel. Cobblestone streets, colorful buildings, and the Rhine River snaking through the city. I desperately wanted to take a boat tour, but the cost was another minor heart attack. I just wandered around. I caught the scent of freshly baked bread. I bought some. The bread was a bargain, and absolutely delicious.
17:00: Back to Ott's. The beer garden. My happy place. This time, I brought a book, thinking I’d be all sophisticated and read a novel. Instead, I people-watched. I eavesdropped. I watched the sun dip below the horizon as I drank another beer. (This is my routine, so it's the one I want to repeat, as much as I love Basel. I needed the return to Ott's.)
19:00: Dinner at Ott's. This time, I ordered the Flammkuchen. Thin, crispy, and perfect. Shared it with the same friendly German speaker from the first evening. We laughed a lot. It was exactly what I needed.
21:00: Stargazing in the beer garden. Another beer. The night was clear, and the sky sparkled with stars. It was a perfect moment.
Day 3: Departure, Souvenir Hunting, and the End of a Beer-Filled Adventure
09:00: Packing. Still no bottle opener. Managed to force open a bottle of water with…I'll leave the gory details out.
10:00: Souvenir scramble. Went to the shop down the road from Ott's. Of course, I could not get a bottle opener. Settled on a postcard and some local chocolates (the ones the friendly German recommended).
11:00: Last beer in the garden. Sadness washing over me. I truly felt like I was leaving a friend.
12:00: Check out. Goodbye, Ott's. You were wonderful.
13:00: The airport. The airport…again. Found a coffee shop. Spent the remaining Swiss Francs I had left.
14:00: Departure. Back to reality. But with a full belly, an art-filled mind, and a heart full of beer-garden memories. I already miss that beer.
The Verdict: Ott's Hotel Weinwirtschaft & Biergarten? Absolutely worth it. Just remember to pack your own bottle opener. And maybe a second bank account for the Swiss cheese. I'm already planning my return.
Crete Beachfront Paradise: Stunning 4-Person Apartment w/ Pool, AC & WiFi!
Weil am Rhein's Wildest Secret: Ott's Secret Garden FAQs (Prepare Yourself)
So, what *is* this 'Unbelievable Hotel' actually *like*? Sounds... intense.
Is it… *actually* a secret garden? Or just, you know, a few potted plants?
The rooms... what are they like? Should I expect modern minimalist chic?
How’s the check-in process? Is it… complicated?
Is there parking? Because I'd hate to have to schlep my luggage a mile.
What’s breakfast like? Because a good breakfast can make or break a trip, you know?
Is there a restaurant on site? Any restaurant recommendations in the area?
Seriously, the garden... is it really *that* amazing? What should I expect?
