So glad we were recommended this stay! The design is very sympathetic to the history of the refrugium. Lovely sitting areas, beautiful views, a sensational host and great views. We came with not much planned but found there were many surprises in the town and areas close by. It was lovely coming back to a sauna after a day of hiking.

Only downside is not having booked another night…

From the moment we arrived we experienced such friendly and welcoming staff. A beautiful old building with a modern twist and feel. Rooms are well appointed and a comfortable size. Every morning we were served an exceptional breakfast with the freshest of breads and local produce.

the style, the decor, the welcoming host and the simple luxuries in the rooms

nothing

the owners and staff were very friendly and accommodating. lovely bedrooms.

would like rooms to be serviced

Stunning property. Beautifully renovated, keeping to the original charm, with an impeccable eye for detail. We had a lovely warm welcome from Alexandra and her sister. Each room has natural flowers throughout, and everything is extremely clean. Plus I think my favourite part was coming back to the home filled with candles. I’ll never forget it.

- Too cramped. We stayed in the Aunts Room. Only one person could fit on the balcony at a time, and unfortunately, it was too cramped for two people and a dog. - Undesirable bathroom. Again, the room we had had a tiny bathroom that did not allow the door to fully open and you had to step in the shower to get into the bathroom to close the door. The shower also ran hot and cold midstream unexpectedly, plus the towels were a bit stiff and sparse. - Lack of dining options. There is only the pizzeria downstairs, which is a completely separate entity and does not share the same atmosphere as the guesthouse. It’s also unknown if the open rooms around the house are available for guests to enjoy on their own. We had purchased some wine and cheeses to enjoy in one of the beautiful parlors, however, when we tried to get acclimated in an empty room, it got real awkward, real fast. We quickly felt our presence was not appreciated and hastily retreated to our room and the door shut to stay out of the way. If there were to be snacks, wine or aperitifs offered later in the day that would really be special! Or if they are not welcomed from outside, that there be some kind of understanding at checkin would be really helpful.

The landladies have elevated hospitality to the highest level

Alexandra, who's family has been running the hotel for generations, is the perfect host. She was able to give good advice on activities and restaurants and is also a very pleasant person. The hotel itself is both very stylish and comfortable. Its obvious that a lot of effort has gone into every detail. The surroundings are beautiful, with great views all around. The breakfast is delicous with local treats. A sauna is present for use after a long hike, which is great. I highly recommend staying a number of nights at Zum Riesen.

Nothing, everything is perfect.

The breakfast was great. Every day we had a different table prepared with different dishes and cups set to enjoy different experiences and views of the location. Quiet and elegance were mostly appreciated and very valuable, especially on the roof terrace. I don't think that is something you would find in any other location in the area.

I found strange that the water in the shower had a bad smell. Really this was the only defect we found.