Hotel Lauterbad

Hotel Lauterbad, a Michelin Key Selected property in Freudenstadt, Germany, consistently receives high praise for its exceptional wellness facilities, gourmet dining, and outstanding service, establishing itself as a premier destination in the Black Forest.

1. Overall Rating & Sentiment

Hotel Lauterbad enjoys an overwhelmingly positive reputation, frequently described with terms like "excellent," "sensational," and "a dream." On Booking.com, it holds an "Excellent" rating of 8.9 out of 10 based on 146 reviews, with particularly high scores for staff (9.5), comfort (9.2), cleanliness (9.0), and facilities (9.0). TripExpert gives it a score of 71 based on expert reviews and a traveler rating of 4.4 out of 5 from over a thousand reviews. The hotel has also been awarded an "excellent" rating by the Relax-Guide for over 18 consecutive years. Guests frequently highlight a relaxed and harmonious atmosphere.

2. Key Highlights

Guests consistently laud Hotel Lauterbad's comprehensive wellness and spa facilities, which include thermal springs (such as Samarkand at 42°C and Finnish Sauna at 90°C), indoor and outdoor swimming pools, a steam room, a fitness center, and various relaxation areas. The hotel offers an array of treatments, including massages, body treatments, and facials. The dining experience, especially breakfast, is another major highlight. The friendly, helpful, and attentive staff also receive frequent commendation. Its idyllic location on the outskirts of Freudenstadt, near an 18-hole golf course and with direct access to nature trails, is also highly appreciated.

3. Room Quality

The rooms at Hotel Lauterbad are described as "modern and spacious," with some also featuring a classic-style decor. They typically range from 25 to 55 square meters and are individually decorated. Each room is well-appointed with a private bathroom (offering either a bathtub or shower), a balcony or garden view, a tea and coffee maker, minibar, flat-screen TV with satellite channels, and complimentary WiFi. For added comfort, guests can expect bathrobes, slippers, and designer toiletries, with daily housekeeping services. Booking.com rates room comfort at an impressive 9.2 out of 10.

4. Dining Experience

The hotel's restaurant boasts gourmet cuisine, serving a diverse menu of Italian, Mediterranean, German, and European dishes. Special attention is given to dietary needs, with vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options readily available. Breakfast is consistently described as "sensational," "extraordinary," and a "dream," offering a lavish buffet with a wide variety of choices. The creative kitchen team has earned multiple accolades, including 2 "Hauben" (toques) in the Great Restaurant Guide. In addition to the main restaurant, guests can enjoy a cozy and rustic atmosphere at "Stüble" for fine food and drinks. The hotel also offers special events, such as a gala dinner with live music on Fridays.

5. Service & Staff

The service at Hotel Lauterbad is a cornerstone of its positive guest experience. Staff members are consistently praised for being "super nice," "friendly," "helpful," "attentive," and "courteous." Booking.com gives staff an exceptional rating of 9.5 out of 10. Guests appreciate the professional yet relaxed demeanor of the team, noting that even during busy periods, there is no sense of rush or "hectic." The hotel prides itself on its family-run hospitality and a "Mitarbeiter First" (Employees First) philosophy, reflected in a 93% employee recommendation rate. Multilingual staff are also available to assist guests.

6. Location & Accessibility

Hotel Lauterbad is ideally situated in a tranquil setting on the outskirts of Freudenstadt, offering an "idyllic" retreat amidst the Black Forest. Its proximity to an 18-hole golf course makes it a convenient choice for golf enthusiasts. The location provides direct access to numerous trails and forest paths, making it an excellent starting point for hiking, mountain biking, and in winter, skiing and cross-country skiing. Key attractions like Freudenstadt Golf Club are a 4-minute drive away, and Freudenstadt Marktplatz can be reached in 6 minutes. Other nearby sites include the Stadtkirche (5.1 km), Ruhestein Ski Jump (29 km), and Mummelsee (35 km). The hotel offers bicycle rentals and free self-parking.

7. Value & Pricing

While specific pricing varies based on room type and season, Hotel Lauterbad is generally regarded as offering good value for the quality of experience provided, with Booking.com scoring it 8.3 for value for money. As a 4-star Superior property, it offers a premium wellness and dining experience that guests find worthwhile. Sample package pricing includes approximately €302 per person for a weekend stay (Friday-Sunday) with half-board, and around €595 per person for a "mini relaxing week" (Sunday-Friday) with half-board.

8. Common Complaints

Based on available reviews, Hotel Lauterbad receives very few recurring complaints. The overall guest feedback is overwhelmingly positive, with no significant common issues identified. One guest did mention "first impressions were slightly underwhelming," but quickly clarified that the hotel and staff are "excellent," indicating any initial reservations are quickly dispelled by the quality of the stay. This suggests a high level of guest satisfaction across all aspects of the hotel's offerings.

Sources

1. booking.com
2. tripexpert.com
3. lauterbad-wellnesshotel.de
4. schwarzwald.de
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6. wellness-hotel.info
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11. fritz-lauterbad.de
12. schwarzwald.de
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14. lauterbad-wellnesshotel.de
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