STRANDHOF BALTRUM Hotel & Restaurant — Restaurant in Baltrum

If convenience, quality, and context are key to your vacation experience, the Hotel Standhof will definitely score high marks on all your indices. Situated at the midpoint of the island and between the two Baltrum villages (the "Westdorf" and the "Ostdorf"), the Strandhof is no more than a ten minute walk from everything that beautiful Baltrum has to offer. Better still, it stands at the entry to the main trail to the beach and the principal bathing area. Unlike premium hotels on other North Sea islands, the Standhof actually is on the "Strand" or beach, with no hiking required in order to reach spectacular white-sand beaches, foaming surf, and fresh air.|| For the most part, rooms are not only of a very high quality but also spacious and modern, with none of the nostalgic furnishings or kitsch decorations found in too many seaside venues. Primarily white and warm gray with colorful accent points, the Strandhof provides just enough in the way of accoutrements to signal the operation of a professional designer while also remaining true to a minimalism that emphasizes the beach, the environment, and the dazzling clear light of the island. Bathrooms are clean, modern, functional, and, if not quite so generous as the rooms, definitely on a par with a spa or resort atmosphere. Many but not all rooms enjoy elevated views of the island or of the south (admittedly less spectacular) shore. Visitors should be cautioned that single rooms are far smaller and less sensually stimulating than the more capacious double rooms (a bit of utilitarianism--a suggestion that a single visitors lacks aesthetic needs--that is out of character with the otherwise highly comforting hotel.|| What prevents the Strandhof from attaining a five-star rating is precisely this incipient utilitarianism. There are more than a few suggestions that the proprietors have not quite made up their mind as to whether the Strandhof ought to become a world-class hotel facility or merely an upgraded bed-and-breakfast. The first sign that the visitor encounters upon entering the hotel, for example, is a stern warning that the reception desk is staffed only when the ferry is arriving and that those appearing at other hours should not expect prompt service. Despite the premium, hotel prices charged, amenities such as soap, shampoo, and conditioner are tightly rationed, sometimes with no more than one envelope every few days. Rooms billed as suitable for couples do not offer true double, queen, or king beds, but, instead, large bed frames containing two separate single mattresses jammed together in a definitively unromantic, Puritan fashion. Rooms lack irons and ironing boards. Breakfast is managed by the hotel, but dinner is served by an independent ensemble that is not allowed to apply meal charges to a guest's running account. Although the aforementioned breakfast is sumptuous and tasty, servers vary greatly in their attitudes toward guests, some being friendly to all comers but others cultivating favorites. The old-fashioned dinner menu lacks variety except for a few misunderstood attempts at oriental sauces. Economic globalization has left the Strandhof behind; the proprietors expect to be paid in cash or in advance by bank transfer or German transfer card and seem confused by the suggestion that credit cards have been in use for several decades.|| Those criticisms having been adduced, the Strandhof is, by all measures, one of the best and most refreshing options on Baltrum. It at least strives for a high level of service and provides rooms that maximize the island experience. With luck, it will eventually evolve into the excellence for which it...

If convenience, quality, and context are key to your vacation experience, the Hotel Standhof will definitely score high marks on all your indices. Situated at the midpoint of the island and between the two Baltrum villages (the "Westdorf" and the "Ostdorf"), the Strandhof is no more than a ten minute walk from everything that beautiful Baltrum has to offer. Better still, it stands at the entry to the main trail to the beach and the principal bathing area. Unlike premium hotels on other North Sea islands, the Standhof actually is on the "Strand" or beach, with no hiking required in order to reach spectacular white-sand beaches, foaming surf, and fresh air.|| For the most part, rooms are not only of a very high quality but also spacious and modern, with none of the nostalgic furnishings or kitsch decorations found in too many seaside venues. Primarily white and warm gray with colorful accent points, the Strandhof provides just enough in the way of accoutrements to signal the operation of a professional designer while also remaining true to a minimalism that emphasizes the beach, the environment, and the dazzling clear light of the island. Bathrooms are clean, modern, functional, and, if not quite so generous as the rooms, definitely on a par with a spa or resort atmosphere. Many but not all rooms enjoy elevated views of the island or of the south (admittedly less spectacular) shore. Visitors should be cautioned that single rooms are far smaller and less sensually stimulating than the more capacious double rooms (a bit of utilitarianism--a suggestion that a single visitors lacks aesthetic needs--that is out of character with the otherwise highly comforting hotel.|| What prevents the Strandhof from attaining a five-star rating is precisely this incipient utilitarianism. There are more than a few suggestions that the proprietors have not quite made up their mind as to whether the Strandhof ought to become a world-class hotel facility or merely an upgraded bed-and-breakfast. The first sign that the visitor encounters upon entering the hotel, for example, is a stern warning that the reception desk is staffed only when the ferry is arriving and that those appearing at other hours should not expect prompt service. Despite the premium, hotel prices charged, amenities such as soap, shampoo, and conditioner are tightly rationed, sometimes with no more than one envelope every few days. Rooms billed as suitable for couples do not offer true double, queen, or king beds, but, instead, large bed frames containing two separate single mattresses jammed together in a definitively unromantic, Puritan fashion. Rooms lack irons and ironing boards. Breakfast is managed by the hotel, but dinner is served by an independent ensemble that is not allowed to apply meal charges to a guest's running account. Although the aforementioned breakfast is sumptuous and tasty, servers vary greatly in their attitudes toward guests, some being friendly to all comers but others cultivating favorites. The old-fashioned dinner menu lacks variety except for a few misunderstood attempts at oriental sauces. Economic globalization has left the Strandhof behind; the proprietors expect to be paid in cash or in advance by bank transfer or German transfer card and seem confused by the suggestion that credit cards have been in use for several decades.|| Those criticisms having been adduced, the Strandhof is, by all measures, one of the best and most refreshing options on Baltrum. It at least strives for a high level of service and provides rooms that maximize the island experience. With luck, it will eventually evolve into the excellence for which it...

At the friendly welcome at the Hotel Strandhof, we were given all the needed information for our apartment. What a surprise as we opened the door and came in. The colors are beautifully matching. The lights exactly at the right place so we can see the pictures and into the closet. The kitchenette is small but fine, including fridge and dishwasher. If you don’t enjoy to cook your own meals, there is breakfast and dinner next door, at the Strandhof, by the same owner. Excellent food and service. It is easy to go for short or long walks around the island through the natural park along the beach or strolling along the houses with many places to eat. The islanders are very friendly and helpful. Not to forget, our Apartment number 6 had a balcony with the view to the sand dunes overgrown with grass and bushes. Wild rabbits, deer and all sort of birds were daily in front...