High up on a hill overlooking the Rhine river, close to where the Lorelei rock used to lure sailors onto the rocks, there is the Castle Hotel Auf Schoenburg, a middle aged romantic castle, built in the 10th century, one of the most expressive German castles on the Rhine river. Behind its ramparts and towers the Schönburg is the perfect castle hotel, intimate and elite.

The façade is a fairy tale picture of towers and battlements reached by crossing a narrow wooden bridge. Many of the original features, the stone walls and pillars, archways and old beams have been carefully restored so that history and luxurious comfort are both in evidence. Outside, vineyards slope down to the Rhine River and ivy clings to the castle walls.

The bedrooms are shaped by the unusual castle buildings with fairy tale drapery over the beds, lovely traditional furniture, and splendid views through lead-paned windows to the beautiful Rhine river valley, the terraced vineyards and the medieval town within an impressing town wall. Tower rooms sit atop steep winding staircases and several rooms have balconies overlooking the Rhine River. The bathrooms are tastefully renovated and offer all modern comfort.

In the evenings guests gather for a drink in the magnificent salon with stone walls, a handsome fireplace, crossed swords old pictures in antique frames and shelves of leather-bound books before dining on specialties of the Middle Rhine river valley or indulging themselves with the gourmet menu. Dinner is served either in the knights' dining room or, if the weather permits, on the Rhine terrace with its spectacular view of the river. Prestigious wines are listed. This is a marvelous base for exploring this part of Germany and to start off for tours of the Rhine river valley and its surroundings.