Hotel Review: Steigenberger Inselhotel, Constance, Germany
Set on a private island on the shores of Lake Constance there’s no denying the 5* Steigenberger Inselhotel has an enviable position.
Tethered to town by a causeway and only a few minutes’ walk from the town of Constance - Konstanz to the locals – the hotel is a first class base from which to explore both the town and surrounding area. Interestingly, although Lake Constance lies at an altitude of more than 1,300 feet, the mild microclimate means even palm trees flourish here.
Please click on images to enlarge. All images (c) Gilly & Mike Pickup
Tethered to town by a causeway and only a few minutes’ walk from the town of Constance - Konstanz to the locals – the hotel is a first class base from which to explore both the town and surrounding area. Interestingly, although Lake Constance lies at an altitude of more than 1,300 feet, the mild microclimate means even palm trees flourish here.
Please click on images to enlarge. All images (c) Gilly & Mike Pickup
The hotel manager explained to me that the hotel started life in the 12th century as a Dominican monastery founded by Bishop Heinrich von Tann. For a few years in the 1500s the convent was used by the city of Constance as a temporary hospital before being returned to the friars. It wasn’t converted into a hotel until 1875 by a family called Zeppelin, who attracted more fame for inventing the pioneering airships than they did for being hoteliers. In fact, Count Ferdinand von Zeppelin was born here. Harking back to its time as a monastery, the magnificent original cloisters with beautiful murals depicting events from the city’s past can still be seen.
Restaurants and Bars
The Seerestaurant, which overlooks the terrace and lake, offers a wonderful buffet breakfast including champers. Guests can eat lunch and dinner here too – meals are hearty so bring your appetite when you come.
The Dominikaner Stube, a rustic restaurant, offers regional specialties. Both restaurants serve international cuisine and are particularly strong on fish dishes – after all, the lake is on the doorstep. There are 35 edible species of fish in the lake with the most popular being felchen, one of the whitefish family.
In warm weather it isn’t surprising that al fresco dining on the Terrace is popular, the ambience and views are spectacular. Light meals, coffee, cake and ice cream are served here.
For drinks, there is the Zeppelin Bar located in the old monastery sacristy – occasionally a pianist comes along in the evening to entertain while the lobby bar also serves wines, beer and hot and cold soft drinks.
Spa and Gym
The spa has a Finnish sauna, steam room and infrared cabin. There is a small, well equipped gym for those who want to break into a sweat of a different kind.
In warm weather private lakeside bathing is available for hotel guests, the water is around 26-degrees. There are also plenty of lakeside trails for walking, jogging or cycling.
See HERE for my take on Lake Constance
Get me there
- Steigenberger Inselhotel Konstanz www.konstanz.steigenberger.com/en
- The Bodensee (Lake Contance) Pass, valid between three and fourteen days gives visitors free and discounted access to many attractions and excursions in the countries bordering the lake together with an option to use the ferries. www.bodensee.eu/en
- Holiday Extras offers trusted Meet and Greet and other services at all major UK airports. www.HolidayExtras.com
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The Seerestaurant, which overlooks the terrace and lake, offers a wonderful buffet breakfast including champers. Guests can eat lunch and dinner here too – meals are hearty so bring your appetite when you come.
The Dominikaner Stube, a rustic restaurant, offers regional specialties. Both restaurants serve international cuisine and are particularly strong on fish dishes – after all, the lake is on the doorstep. There are 35 edible species of fish in the lake with the most popular being felchen, one of the whitefish family.
In warm weather it isn’t surprising that al fresco dining on the Terrace is popular, the ambience and views are spectacular. Light meals, coffee, cake and ice cream are served here.
For drinks, there is the Zeppelin Bar located in the old monastery sacristy – occasionally a pianist comes along in the evening to entertain while the lobby bar also serves wines, beer and hot and cold soft drinks.
Spa and Gym
The spa has a Finnish sauna, steam room and infrared cabin. There is a small, well equipped gym for those who want to break into a sweat of a different kind.
In warm weather private lakeside bathing is available for hotel guests, the water is around 26-degrees. There are also plenty of lakeside trails for walking, jogging or cycling.
See HERE for my take on Lake Constance
Get me there
- Steigenberger Inselhotel Konstanz www.konstanz.steigenberger.com/en
- The Bodensee (Lake Contance) Pass, valid between three and fourteen days gives visitors free and discounted access to many attractions and excursions in the countries bordering the lake together with an option to use the ferries. www.bodensee.eu/en
- Holiday Extras offers trusted Meet and Greet and other services at all major UK airports. www.HolidayExtras.com
Return to features index