Wednesday, December 23, 2015

Steigenberger Graf Zeppelin Stuttgart, Germany

The Steigenberger Graf Zeppelin Stuttgart was on our bucket list as long as the Althoff Hotel Am Schlossgarten. When we had the chance again to go to Stuttgart in September we split our two nights between the Graf Zeppelin and the Althoff.

The Steigenberger Graf Zeppelin is a large, grand hotel, just opposite the Main Train Station.

When entering the lobby the check in is in the front with a large photograph of a Zeppelin airship. Overall the hotel is very well branded and there are a lot of historic photographs, showing the airship and light features in the shape of Zeppelins are placed on the Mezzanine floor and lobby. It is also included in the hotel's logo.

To the left is the Zeppelin Bar and to the right the Davidoff Cigar Lounge.

Check in was friendly and efficient.

We were promised a very nice room and our receptionist was right.

We loved our room immediately.

The room layout was unusual. It was L-shaped (caused by the location of the bathroom). When entering, the bathroom was to the right, the wardrobe and luggage rack to the left and the bed straight ahead. There was a seating area for two and a writing desk with a flat screen TV.

The room was medium in size and contemporary (The other style available is Art Deco). The color scheme was red, brown, white and cream.

We overlooked the courtyard and the neighboring office building.

The bed was two twin beds pushed together, but it was very comfortable as was the seating area with two chairs and a coffee table.

We received Teinacher Gourmet Water medium as a welcome gift and turn down had been already performed, so two Ritter Sport mini (milk and Knusperflake) chocolates were waiting for us, a nice touch.

The minibar was stocked with Coca Cola, Granini fruit juices, Vio mineral water, Bacardi, Steigenberger sparkling wine, white wine, Prosecco and German beer, including Radeberger and Clausthaler.

There was a good choice of regional and international TV channels. We liked CNN and Bloomberg best.

The bathroom was also medium in size. The amenities were Steigenberger own branded. There was a sink, a large shower - no bath tub - and a toilet.

The only issue we had with the room was the frosted glass door leading from the bathroom to the room. It was facing the bed and disturbed my fiancé when I had to use the bathroom during the night and switched on the light. Of course it looks stylish and the thought was good - ideal for a single traveller, but it would be better to replace it with a normal door.

We used the 24 hour room service and ordered two pasta dishes. He had the penne Carbonara. It was a Swabian version to the Italian. He liked it and thought it was different and tasty. Mine was penne with olives and tomato sauce. It was delicious too. I only wished the durum wheat pasta could be replaced with whole-wheat on request, which wasn't possible.

After an overall good night's rest we went to the Graf Zeppelin Restaurant, which serves breakfast only. It is on the same level as the meeting rooms and the one Michelin starred Gourmet Restaurant Olivo with French inspired cuisine and the chef is Nico Burkhardt.

Other outlets are the Zeppelino's for steak and Zeppelin Stueble for regional cuisine.

The breakfast restaurant is in a sun flooded room with dark furniture, dark wooden floor, a carpet with flower prints at the center and still life paintings. It overlooks the Main Train Station through floor to ceiling windows.

The choice at breakfast is of very good quality and featured lots of healthy selections.

We were brought to the table by the maître d'.

The headwaiter explained that the buffet contained cold items and one hot item - mostly egg dishes - could be ordered a la carte and were included in the rate of 26 Euro per person (ca. 28.15 USD).

There was also an extensive tea and coffee menu available. We ordered two Ronnefeldt Green Dragon green tea and an egg white omelette.

The buffet offered a wide selection of cold cuts, smoked salmon and Gravad Lax, cheese, fresh fruits and vegetables, fruit salad, honey from the hotel's rooftop, pastries, cakes, grilled vegetables, olives, a wide bread selection, at least five juices, a minimum of six different cereals and much more. It was a delight to eat, drink and talk here.

Beside all the restaurants there is also a spa and gym on the 5th floor.

All spa products are from Shiseido and the Ligne St. Barth.

Facial treatments start from 42 Euro (ca. 45.65 USD) and even teenagers can be accommodated.

Massages begin from 70 Euro (ca. 76.10 USD).

In our opinion this is reasonable priced and I might have a treatment when we stay here again in our future.

Check out approached as always too fast and it was time to move on to the Althoff Hotel am Schlossgarten. A review of our second stay there is going to follow next.

Staff was always friendly and efficient. The atmosphere was great and the food very good and memorable.

We will return and definitely try Olivo then.

 ©2015 

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