Gasthof Auerhahn

The Gasthof Auerhahn is a 15-room family-owned three-star hotel located a 10-minute walk north of the Hauptbahnhof. It may be a hike from the city center, but it's worth the trip—you'll be staying far, far away from the tourists and trappings of the Altstadt. And the same type of facilities would command much higher rates in a more central area.

Though there's no elevator, everything else is as welcoming as can be. The owners are friendly, and there's a large, elegant restaurant on the ground floor. The room décor is “country” but not kitschy. Pine cabinets and pale yellow and green walls are offset by brightly colored furnishings. There's a satellite TV in every room, and the private bathrooms include a hair dryer and toiletries.

Windows overlook either the garden or the street. Rooms in back may be a better bet if you don't feel like staring at train tracks (albeit through cute gingham curtains).

A buffet breakfast is included, and in the summer the dining area extends into an outdoor garden. Smoke all you want down here, but there's no smoking in any of the rooms.