Don't be put off when you first arrive at the Carathotel Basel and discover it is in an ugly little town on an ugly little street and, omg, it's a businessman's hotel. In fact, the hotel will surprise you. A wonderful and friendly staff; large rooms with views of nearby (ten minutes) Basel; incredible buffet breakfast included in the room price; really comfortable beds; and just a few minutes away from the Vitra HQs, the one and only reason to be in Weil am Rhein, one of the great treats for an architecture and design buff. Icing on the cake, the hotel is only 4 km from the Beyeler Foundation with its brilliant collection of modern art.

And you avoid the incredibly high prices of Basel! You can drive there in 10 minutes, park, see the main sights, and then return to Germany to eat at affordable rates rather than the scandalously high prices charged in Basel.

So, yes, the hotel looks like everything you might want to avoid as you drive up, but once you check in it will be worth it. Location, cost, convenience, hospitality, breakfast and generous glasses of wine. Did I forget to mention that you can slice and squeeze your own oranges at breakfast for really fresh juice, or be lazy and just pour from the pitcher on the table.

Did I forget to mention that this place is tops in value for price.

And how could I forget to mention that Vitra is a marvel, and worth the 7 hours I spent there.