HOTEL DEUTSCHER KAISER — Hotel in Nuremberg

We've been staying at the DK just about every year since 2002 (the pandemic was the only reason for the hiatus). As many other reviewers have already noted, the location simply cannot be beat, the staff are excellent, and it's a clean, safe, comfortable home base for your trip to Nürnberg. ||However, as I walked down the hall this December it finally occurred to me why we love this place so much... unlike the cookie cutter hotel chains, it literally has its own personality, like an old, trusted, beloved friend. A lot of that is thanks to the friendly and competent staff, but the building itself, the antique decorations, the stone staircase, the quirky alcoves, the exposed sandstone wall blocks, even the lovingly worn tapestries and rugs immediately transport you back to a slower, more civilized era of travel. Although the modern amenities are all here, no one is rushed or stressed out, nothing about the place screams Trendiness! or Now!! Rather, every room, ever hall whispers quiet class, subdued elegance, come and relax and chat for a bit. And as trite as the cliché is, yes... "Old World Charm." There's even a parlor(!) next to the breakfast room where guests can read a newspaper, play the piano, lose themselves in a reverie, or check their smartphones and social media accounts. Trust me, after a day spent exploring the medieval city or an evening in the hustle and bustle of the Christkindlesmarkt, this is a wonderful thing... no matter how old or young you are.||Our kids have grown up thinking of the Deutscher Kaiser as "our" hotel. I hope we - and they - will keep returning here every year for the next 40 or more, and I hope very little, if anything, will...

We've been staying at the DK just about every year since 2002 (the pandemic was the only reason for the hiatus). As many other reviewers have already noted, the location simply cannot be beat, the staff are excellent, and it's a clean, safe, comfortable home base for your trip to Nürnberg. ||However, as I walked down the hall this December it finally occurred to me why we love this place so much... unlike the cookie cutter hotel chains, it literally has its own personality, like an old, trusted, beloved friend. A lot of that is thanks to the friendly and competent staff, but the building itself, the antique decorations, the stone staircase, the quirky alcoves, the exposed sandstone wall blocks, even the lovingly worn tapestries and rugs immediately transport you back to a slower, more civilized era of travel. Although the modern amenities are all here, no one is rushed or stressed out, nothing about the place screams Trendiness! or Now!! Rather, every room, ever hall whispers quiet class, subdued elegance, come and relax and chat for a bit. And as trite as the cliché is, yes... "Old World Charm." There's even a parlor(!) next to the breakfast room where guests can read a newspaper, play the piano, lose themselves in a reverie, or check their smartphones and social media accounts. Trust me, after a day spent exploring the medieval city or an evening in the hustle and bustle of the Christkindlesmarkt, this is a wonderful thing... no matter how old or young you are.||Our kids have grown up thinking of the Deutscher Kaiser as "our" hotel. I hope we - and they - will keep returning here every year for the next 40 or more, and I hope very little, if anything, will...

The good is the location is great. Right near the Hauptbahnhof so easy to transit from the airport or regional train lines. It’s a short walk to Hauptmarkt and anywhere in old town up to the north. The breakfast was also good with lots of selection. ||The bad: the customer service is significantly lacking comparing to other German hotels and cities. I arrived early morning to drop off bags, knowing that you can’t check in until 3. Called someone (male) down to the desk and before any greeting was abruptly questioning why I am trying to check in. I wasn’t, but their site says they offer luggage storage. I go off adventuring and come back at 3 and waited in an armchair. The receptionist (also male) ignored me. I left it about ten minutes as might be busy, no just ignoring me. So I ask to check in. He says he isn’t sure if the room is ready and leaves reception to physically walk upstairs. If you advertise 3, be ready for 3. PM his is one example of how the service was perfunctory and not warm and welcoming and customer focussed like so many other wonderful experiences I’ve had in Germany. ||Also while the hotel has some charm due to the history of the place, there is a difference between vintage splendour and vintage unkempt. This hotel is the latter. So much potential, but clear they are just trying to make a buck with as little upkeep as possible. Everything is threadbare. Probably wouldn’t stay again,...