Overview

Hotel Birkenhof is a traditional family run hotel in the Black Forest which has been renovated with disabled access in mind. It's probably the best hotel I've stayed in for wheelchair access in Germany or anywhere else.

Transport & Parking

There's space right outside the front door for several cars to park and more parking just down the road. The hotel is easy to get to by road. There is a bus route that goes through Mitteltal that links it to the centre of Baiersbronn. The busses on this route have a ramp that can be pulled down, though the bus drivers aren't always helpful.

Access

The hotel is fully wheelchair accessible with a flat entrance, a ramp to the breakfast room and a lift to get to other floors. My bedroom was large enough to easily maneuver a wheelchair around. Due to the positioning of the balcony door it was not possible to open it wide enough to get my wheelchair onto the balcony, but I could transfer onto one of the outdoor chairs instead. There were dual light switches by the bed and by the door so I could get into bed before turning off the lights.

Toilets

The ensuite bathroom was a good size with a grab bar next to the toilet, a lowered sink, a lowered mirror and a shaving mirror that could be easily repositioned. The shower was large with double doors, a fold-down seat and a shower stool.

Staff

All the staff were welcoming and friendly. Some of them spoke good English. On the first evening we arrived too late for the evening meal. Even though the kitchen was closed, the staff went out of their way to accommodate us and cooked us a fantastic meal, taking into account our dietary needs.

Anything else you wish to tell us?

The hotel is in a beautiful, peaceful setting in a village with several restaurants. Although I didn't stay in it (the rest of my family did), the hotel has a family apartment on the top floor with two bedrooms, a bathroom, a balcony and a living room / kitchen with cooking facilities.

Photos