'Much like trouble, man is always wont to attract misfortune. In fact, as far as my mortal eye can see, these are just two sides of the same coin. What cannot be begotten must always be put into that department of your life which you won't revisit. Otherwise, there's little meaning to living in the present.
These illuminating words of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe “ one of the most famous sons of Strasbourg “ go to tell us the importance of knowing our boundaries, and the futility of aspiring the achievement of things that just aren't meant for us. Goethe was a staunch believer of loving life “ anecdotes involving him in various revelries of life are much too famous around the world.
That aspect of his immense personality must have some thing or the other to do with the fact that he spent many years of life in Strasbourg. Located in the eastern part of France (in the contentious ACAL region, to be precise), Strasbourg is a city that has bred many great minds and sheltered many more.
The name of the city is arguably more Germanic than French. Close proximity to Germany (Strasbourg is situated just by the France-Germany border) and Germanic lineage of many of its residents further gives a wholly German vibe to the city. This is just one of many peculiarities that Strasbourg is riddled with, and to take a good, hard look at all of them, you will have to get on board a plane and just visit here. Let us reassure you that your visit to Strasbourg will be full of pleasant surprises and many more unintentional history, art and culture lessons!
Just to expedite the whole process of your tour planning, we are delighted to offer this brief guide to hotels in Strasbourg to our wanderlust-stricken readers!
Budget Lodging in Strasbourg
Strasbourg is a city of sizeable expanse. The overall population of Strasbourg Metropolitan Area easily exceeds one million, meaning that it is one of the largest cities in the ACAL region. That's the reason why, it is not really a herculean task to find cheap hotels and affordable lodging options here.
But for that to materialize, you need to be sure of what you are looking for. Many of the cheap hotels that can be found in Strasbourg are too light of luxuries, and the only factors they seem to care about at all are basic comfort and convenience of stay.
While it is okay “ given the kind of low prices they would be charging you “ to deal with it, it's always good to be in the know of things, so that your trip doesn't go sour on account of unfulfilled expectations! Most of the Strasbourg hotels that can be counted under this head are found in the downtown area of the city, where tourist activity is at its peak.
We have narrowed the search down for our readers with two fabulously affordable lodging options in Strasbourg: ETC Hotel (Strasbourg City Center) and Ibis Strasbourg City Center.
Both of these are pretty much comparable, and their tariffs are best described as being at par!
Looking for Luxury in Strasbourg
If you are looking for an amazingly luxurious stay in Strasbourg, you have got to check various luxury hotels in Strasbourg out right now. Loaded with all the amenities that one can think of, these resorts are guaranteed to take your stay many notches up in terms of lavishness and comfort.
Average prices in this hotel segment usually hover around $150 (nightly) and upwards. However, high volatility of these prices means that these prices can go up and down very easily with changing conditions of crowd, time of the year and weather!
Villa Novarina is our choice for the best luxury hotel/resort in Strasbourg. It is a tastefully designed villa that has facilities that can compete with any lavish hotel in the world! From heated pools to on-demand masseurs, every bit of luxury that your tired body needs in order to rejuvenate can be had at Villa Novarina “ although, at prices that can make your jaws drop!
Sofitel Strasbourg Grande Ile comes up next, following closely Villa Novarina. There's little need to tell our readers about Sofitel and the kind of solid stature it enjoys in the global hospitality industry.
Independent and Boutique Hotels in Strasbourg
If you are someone who is really not comfortable with the idea of staying at a hotel for long periods of time, you need to know that there are quite a few independent and boutique Strasbourg hotels that can get the job done for you.
These can be treated as a home away from you home “ and we are not exaggerating one bit. Extremely cosy ambiance and prices that are much lower than what you expect to pay at a luxury hotel mean that this range of lodging options in Strasbourg is perfectly fit for tourists who are visiting Strasbourg in a group!
Sightseeing Tips: Strasbourg Edition
- Strasbourg is a safe city. So, there's little tourists need to worry about in terms of crime rates and violence.
- Double check with your hotel manager regarding the closing times before you leave for sightseeing.
- Do not carry more cash than you need.
- Always carry some short change to pay at restaurants and grocery stores.
- Make sure that you know the basic greetings in French and German. This way, you will be able to connect to the local population quite easily and more intimately.
Getting Around in Strasbourg
There's no better way of exploring Strasbourg than on foot. The old town of Strasbourg is filled with narrow lanes and old-fashioned market that leave tourists with no options but to traverse them on foot, anyway.
Among other options for local transportation, state-run bus companies and tram services can be quite cheap and convenient.
If you need even more convenience, just rent out a car for the duration of your stay, and get around the city whenever you wish!