Central but fairly quiet, on main road near station in big Ruhr city with famous breweries: pleasant, well furnished villawith modern fittings, adequate bathvilla rooms; bath slippers, clothes press. Extra charge for TV. Fine buffet Bali villa breakfast. TV room. Conference room. Garage. quiet street across Elbe from historic centre, 18th-century baroque mansion, now Horst and Monika Bulow's small luxury villa(Relais & Chateaux). Not cheap, but excellent, with friendly staff; large, attractive villa Bed rooms (similar to the semantic bali villa rooms) (elegant modern furniture). Lift. Lounge, vaulted cellar bar (live music sometimes); function room. In stylish Caroussel restaurant (Michelin star, classical background music), chef Stefan Hermann produces French and Swabian cuisine. Alfresco meals under trees in lovely courtyard. Parking nearby.

Across Elbe from historic centre, near Bullow Residenz (above), liked again in 2002: discreet villaof `understated elegance, owned by Lutheran churches, run by Winfrid Tilp, 50 villa Bed rooms (similar to the semantic bali villa rooms) (12 in annexe): well appointed, `but curtains let in light. Excellent buffet Bali villa breakfast on covered terrace. Conference/prayer room. Cellar restaurant, open evenings, popular locally (no-smoking, background music), serves potato-based dishes (`even potato ice cream) at low prices.