Hotel Müller in Cologne

Here are four recommendations from a July ’06 trip to GERMANY.

• Hotel Müller (Bradenburger Str. 20, 50668 Köln, Germany; phone 0049 [0] 221/912 8350, fax 83517, e-mail hotel-mueller-koeln@t-online.de or visit www.hotel-mueller-koeln. de).

This is a small hotel about three blocks from the train station in Köln. They were prompt in answering our e-mails for information or requests.

The price for a double, with bath, was €65 ($82) per night. Their breakfast buffet, included in the price, had a variety of meats, cheeses, breads, cereals, etc., and was very good.

• Hotel Restaurant Alte Thorschenke (56812 Cochem, Brückentr. 3 [am Enderttor], Germany; phone 49 [0] 2671 7059, fax 4202 or visit www.castlethorschenke.de). In the city center, this hotel is close to the Rhine River and on the KD ship line. (Köln-Düsseldorfer does day cruises on the river; phone 02 21 20 88 3 18 or visit www.k-d.com.)

This hotel is one of the oldest structures in Cochem, but the rooms have been renovated and are very comfortable. Included in the room price of €77 ($97) is a very good breakfast buffet.

We took advantage of the half pension at €18 ($23) and were glad we did.

• Franz Josef Weis Winery (Noterau 30 [mail to Heinzenberg 17], 56856 Zell-Mosel, Germany; phone 06542-41398, fax 06542-961178 or visit www.weingut-fjweis.de). Zell is a small town on the Mosel River.

The current owner of F.J. Weis Winery, Peter Weis, rents out two apartments. We had a large living/dining/kitchen area plus a twin-bedded room and a bathroom. € 50 ($63) per night. The home looked as though it had been recently renovated.

Mr. Weis was very prompt in answering any requests or providing information about the area.

• Huppertz Loreley Apartments in St. Goar (mail to Brunnenstr. 6, D55432 Niederburg, Germany; phone +49 6744 8029, fax 7434 or visit www.loreley-apartments.de).

We had a small apartment for seven nights. It was very clean and had a kitchen, living room, twin-bedded room and bathroom. The kitchen had all the conveniences of home, and the apartment had a washing machine. There was a grocery store nearby, so we did some cooking. English is spoken.

The cost, including cleaning fees, was €280 ($353) for the week.

The apartment is on the Rhine River, handy for the KD line, and three blocks from the train station, so it was easy to take day trips from there.

JACKIE COENEN

Mohave Valley, AZ