Strasbourg was our final stop destination after a road trip around Germany (on route back to catching the ferry to Northern France). As we drove into Strasbourg it seems very much a city of two tales with a lower rent outer district, then the further you head into the centre the more beautiful and affluent it becomes.
IMPORTANT NOTE FOR THOSE DRIVING THEIR OWN CAR: Do not point your SatNav for the road the hotel is located on (Rue Maroquin). This road is located beyond impassible bollards in the cathedral square. If you want to drop off luggage and collect a key to their parking garage (which is located a 5 minute walk away in a secure underground car park), point your sat nav to Rue De Vieil Hopital (which runs adjacent), and follow this road as far as it will go - park up, and walk over to the rear of the hotel. Press the buzzer and they will let you in the back door to collect keys for car parking.
Their private parking is in an underground car park a couple of streets away at Rue de la Douane. Don't assume you will find on street parking nearby as it is hugely busy, and there seem to be very few dedicated parking garages nearby (about 3/4km walk - Vinci car park - Rue Fosse des Tanneurs)
The hotel itself was cosy enough, and the staff seemed pleasant and willing to help in the recommendation of restaurants and with parking.
We managed to secure a room on the front of the hotel (facing the Cathedral Square), and as the room had double glazed windows this seemed to cut a lot of the ambient noise from the busy streets.
The room was compact but well furnished, clean, and had all the facilities you'd want with the exception of tea and coffee making facilities.
You are literally thirty metres walk from the square and the cathedral (visible from front rooms) which is well worthy of a visit, and set in the heart of the beautiful Alsace capital with all its characteristic architecture. There are some stunning walks in the immediate vicinity (10 minutes in most directions), with charming streets full of quaint and interesting shops and services.
We ate out in the Cathedral Square in the evening at the beautiful Maison Kammerzell (famed for it's regional cooking). It's not cheap, so please don't make the same mistake we did. Whilst it's architecture and character are alluring, the service is terrible and the food is so-so. Many people around our table were complaining (as well as us), and it seems they rely on one stop customers who might never have to return. A huge disappointment.
Walking back past the floodlit cathedral was lovely, and we returned to the hotel where we got a decent nights sleep.
Breakfast was good (self serve in the main), but again the staff were hugely helpful when it came to checking out, and we were very glad to have chosen this hotel. Overall, worthy of recommendation for the price given it's fantastic location (€180).
- Cardinal De Rohan Strasbourg
- Cardinal De Rohan Hotel
