Fulda is easy to reach from most parts of Germany and its history is interesting -- convenient for the businessman, then, with something for the trailing spouse, and many smaller conferences accordingly are held there. The Maritim directs its attentions, I believe, to this conference trade. Maybe that's why Internet access through the hotel connection costs an arm and a leg: For most people who stay there, it's "on expenses".

That grumble out of the way, here's one more: The rooms are set around an atrium. (This deserves its own comment: I think that it should be protected as a monument to the architecture and interior decoration that made the 1990s the 1990s -- wonderful, and sure to evoke the slight dépaysement that comes from looking at pictures of women's bygone hairstyles -- "Did we ever REALLY think that was sexy?") When conference guests are assembled at the bottom of the atrium well, hitting the white wine and enjoying vigorous conversation, you'll wish you had your earplugs: Door from little foyer onto the balcony closed, door between bedroom and little foyer closed, and the noise still seeps in.

What else? A fifteen-minute walk from the railway station and shopping district, within a short stroll of all the historic bits and bobs, itself built into a bit of surplus-to-requirements castle; impeccably clean; lovely en-suite bedroom / bathroom, comfortable bed, lots and lots of hot water for my morning shower, big fluffy towels; an absolutely grand breakfast room in High Baroque plasterwork and a breakfast buffet of unparalleled variety and splendour. Do not, on any account, miss the sandstone sculpture ("Paroxysmenweib / Woman Writhing") at the entry to the cellar dining hall. Early Mannerism? Designed to be set atop a rampart and viewed from fifty metres below, not **shudder** face to face? Work of a sculptor reared by wolves, his rendition of the human female form constructed from lupine hearsay? You be the judge.

In a nutshell, then: Find a conference in Fulda and stay at the Maritim. You'll love it. (You'll be among the atrium chatterers, not up in your room wondering when the other guests will get to bed.) And those folks in Bought Ledger who handle your re-imbursement forms? So they bleed at the eyes when they see what it cost the firm to let you check your e-mail. Do you care?