3 Best Hotels in Passau, Franconia and the German Danube

It may only have been built in 1984, but this charming little hotel with its salmon-pink facade blends in successfully with the graceful Italian-style buildings either side of it. The modern cheery rooms are large and airy; some have a fine view of the Danube (and the nearby cruise docks). There's no restaurant, but the breakfast room serves up a rich buffet every morning, and there's a bar for whiling away the evening. There's also a small sauna and relaxation area on the ground floor.

Passau's most historic hotel, which faces the town hall on the waterfront market square, dates from the 11th century. Whether you book into a basic single, a superior double, or a lavish suite, you'll be sleeping on beds of carved oak beneath shining chandeliers and richly stuccoed ceilings. Breakfast is served in the elegant Adalbert-Stifter-Saal each morning (expect more chandeliers), though only 8 am through 10 am, and a direct booking includes free entry to the attached Glasmuseum.

The "White Rabbit" began accommodating travelers in the early 16th century. Recently purchased and renovated by the Premiere Inn chain, all of the rooms are decorated in a subdued modern style.