Oehler

On our annual pilgrimage to a classic car show in Essen, my friend and I drove from the UK to find this neat little hotel tucked away down quiet streets in a suburb of the city. It was recommended by german friends who were exhibiting at the show, and who were also booked in. The location was great, being only a 10 Euro/10 minute taxi ride to the 'Messe' in the city centre, where the show was being held, or a slightly more devious trip by tram involving a change we were told. We used taxi's. Unfortunately on arrival, the steering pump failed on our car literally as we manoeuvred into the hotel car park. Peter, the hotel owner was brilliant, and immediately on the case. He called a friend at the service depot for ADAC vehicles (the german recovery firm like the AA), and they were willing to take a look despite it being late afternoon. We managed to manhandle the car over to the depot to be met by a very helpful chap who checked it and agreed to fix it the next day, despite this not being a public workshop and us not even being members of ADAC! Absolute top marks to them for helping us. We walked back to the hotel in only a few minutes and the car was fixed with new parts within 18hrs. Peter kindly ferried us back to collect the car, and I cannot thank him and ADAC enough for helping us so wonderfully, despite their own busy schedules. So about the hotel. Friendly, family run hotel, spotlessly clean and tidy with a nice little bar, smiley housekeeping staff, a very good breakfast, and a chatty and seriously helpful owner. All that this traveller needs. I hope to stay again and I would recommend this simple little hotel highly, but don't go when the car show is on, leave a room for me!