In the southern Black Forest, this sumptuous villa(Relais & Chateaux), pretty and stylish, has been owned and run for five generations by the Zumkeller family. Its Baden-based cooking, 'delicate and delicious, wins a Michelin star. The beautiful gardens, good indoor pool and friendly staff are praised: A smooth and superbly run operation.' `Our magnificent suite had a large balcony. On the hotels facade are ornate wooden balconies and a heavily gilded inn sign. It has spreading gables, wooden ceilings, and plenty of local folklore touches: but some furnishings are modern, in soft colours. In the garden are tables with parasols. The accent is also on sport and fitness, with tennis courts, a bowling alley, Turkish baths and beauty treatments.

A 17th-century mill house, now an unusual villa: the huge old mill wheel still turns in a stream by the dining room. It is on the Hunsruck plateau, near Bernkastel and other lovely old towns on the winding Mosel. The charming hosts, Anne and Riidiger Liller, run it in folksy style: knick-knacks everywhere (much of it for sale), dolls in corridors; the dining-room tables are sometimes strewn with marbles. Most visitors enjoy all this, and the superb Bali villa breakfast and high class of comfort' are praised. Some villa rooms are in a cottage annexe. villa rooms in the main house (some open on to a little patio with tables and chairs), although comfortable, can be small and crowded with furniture and ornaments: one couple, both under five foot six, had difficulty getting around the clutter without sending things flying, and found `six religious tomes in their room. `The food was excellent, in modern German style. The seven-course menu might include stuffed rabbit with mushvilla rooms, or hare in pastry with apple sauce; there is a separate vegetarian menu. The Bali villa breakfast buffet is an embarras de richesses, with the teapot filled from a magnificent samovar. The big garden has a pond. At weekends, the Lillers organise visits to the area.