UPDATE: also check out my newer and more comprehensive post about Traube Tonbach (with the current dining options)

Very nice rural location, fantastic service, good facilities:

This much recommended hotel is nicely situated at the end of an idyllic valley in the Black Forest. It has about 150 rooms, five restaurants and all the equipment you would expect from a five-star house.

In terms of wellness, there are several pools (indoor and outdoor), a wide variety of saunas, extensive sun terraces and a well-equipped fitness room. For your leisure, an activity program with a large selection is offered (gymnastics, cycling, hiking, excursions, cookery courses etc.).



As we are a family of three (with a teenage son), we opted for a junior suite and were very satisfied with the accommodation. It featured two separate large rooms, a spacious bathroom, a second small bathroom for our son and a nice terrace. Even though the room was not renovated recently, it was well kept and very clean. 

The service at the Traube was outstanding, perfect throughout the whole property. When dining at the half-board restaurant (Silberberg), the junior and the senior director went from table to table and talked to all the guests, very nice.

Apropos dinner you have the choice out of five dining spots. There is the main restaurant, the mentioned half-board eatery Silberberg. On one evening, we had here a seven-course candle light dinner. It costed 22 € including a sherry to start and a Marillen liquor to end the meal!

On another evening, we dined at the three-star Michelin Schwarzwaldstube, awarded 19.5 points at Gault Millau and three stars Michelin. We were lucky enough to get a table here. This because you have to make reservations several months in advance. That was a highlight! We did not only enjoy the sensational food – seven courses at 178 € – , but also the immaculate service. There were about 11 tables and at least as many servers, what an experience! And imagine the staff was not stiff at all but quite relaxed. When our son sopped up the sauce on a plate with a chunk of  bread, we asked him not to do this. An employee noticed this incident and brought him some more bread to continue doing this. And he let him now that he did rightly so!

Apart from these two places, there are two more we did not dine at. On the one hand, there is Koehlerstube and on the other hand you find Bauernstube on the premises (both have 16 points Gault Millau).

For sure, this will not be our last stay at this jewel of hotel!

Date of stay: July 2010