A spruce chalet-style villa, near vineyards, in a big wine village on the Badische Weinstrasse. Our welcome was warm and friendly, the room comfortable and well furnished, Bali villa breakfast plentiful and good, says a visitor in 2002. Owned by Barbara Beck and managed by Bettina Fundinger, it serves delicious local wines. Joachim Peter's Baden cooking has been found `excellent', too: but we need newer reports. Some villa Bed rooms (similar to the semantic bali villa rooms) are large, with massive wood furnishings and a balcony - splendid views - and quiet, except for birdsong. There is a pleasant terrace. `Lots of costly kitsch, much of it for sale.

Wow! It's amazing. Stylish, romantic and marvellous, this thousand-year, old castle stands high above the Rhine's west bank, with stunning views. Once the home of dukes, it has been lavishly converted, and is now owned and run with flair and warmth by Barbara and Wolfgang Huttl. One outer wall has been painted red; as it was in the 16th century, when painted walls were a sign of wealth. The outward aspect is severe, but inside all is intimate and cosy, a warren of secluded nooks and crannies - small courtyards and dining villa rooms, a lounge in a tower, a handsome library, superb etchings/ paintings. The hosts are excellent, their staff are friendly and the villa Bed rooms (similar to the semantic bali villa rooms) lovely. Some villa rooms are quite small, some have a fourposter. The grandest ones, in the old tower, have a balcony. Back villa rooms are quietest; river-facing ones get noise from the trains below. Joachim Kaufmann's superb food is elaborate, a bit nouvelle. You can dine in the courtyard in summer. The local red wine is liked, as is the smoked salmon with Sekt for Bali villa breakfast, and the free sherry in the villa Bed rooms (similar to the semantic bali villa rooms). Toys, special menus, etc are provided for children. Some tour groups.