Another "travel experiment" in Germany: Oberjoch, 1,200 meters high (pic shows it in winter), about 200 permanent residents, situated in the Allgäuer Alpen (Oberallgäu), not far from the border to Austria. After our previous experiences with hotels in Germany we've been sceptical, but were positively surprised. The 4+-star Panorama Hotel, where we stayed for the 11th time (first time this year), stood the test in Corona times. Picture below shows our view from the balcony.
We spent three nights there, full plan, all included, and there were only minor restrictions. Of course, masks were mandatory in public areas (though, not in the sauna/pool area with the exception of the tiny restrooms there - !?), but, for the rest, there were only minor inconveniences, like e.g. no reading or info material in public areas and in the rooms, no fruit "for to go", no real drink menus in the restaurant (but loose paper sheets), no blankets in the wellness area (but pillows and cushions - does that make sense?). The steam bath, salt-infusion room and ice fountain were closed, but fitness room, pools and saunas fully operative. Sauna infusions yes, but no fanning, and, only a restricted number of sauna goers allowed, which is completely o.k. No bar stools anymore around the oval lobby bar, even not with due distance. That way, servers/barkeepers had to even come closer to guests at the little tables to explain drinks with their masks on. Not highly logical!
Self-service buffets are allowed again, and, we had it for breakfast, afternoon cake, salads and cheese, but,,, plastic gloves are mandatory. Can you imagine the heaps of waste being discarded each day in this one hotel only? The amounts of sanitizer? Of paper towels (e.g. to clean fitness equipment)?
We had a good time, spent each morning with activities, starting with rowing/workout in the (always empty) fitness room, swimming, a fitness course or a hike (photos above). We love the offered hikes with Hans, a 82-year old character, hotel guide and course instructor, never aging and a fount of knowledge in many regards. In the afternoon, we slowed down and sauna sessions were on our schedule. Also, we went on an excursion to Bad Hindelang ("Bahila", photos below) one afternoon - over 100 curves on about 7 km to get there. To the same degree, the hotel was almost fully booked, this town was crowded with tourists.
The weather was pretty decent for the most part, fall-like and changeable, but still warm (snow is in the forecast for this upcoming weekend!), with a thunderstorm every afternoon. In bad weather, clouds seem to lay on the roads in Oberjoch and mountains aren't visible anymore. It's a feeling like living on an island. Big advangtage in the Panorama Hotel is, that all rooms are nicely equipped and modernly furnished, they are in principle all the same, with balconies and mountain view. Thanks to an upgrade to a gallery room, we even had a foosball table on the gallery.
Breakfast buffet as well as five-course dinners were delicious as always (Tafelspitz to be seen on the photo), only flaw in this hotel, culinary-wise, is the cheese selection on the buffets, from our first visit in 2015 on. In the Allgäu, a main cheese producing region, it's IMHO not ideal to serve mostly "international" cheeses like camembert, goat or blue cheese. A bit more creativity and courage to educate all the "Northerners", Swabians and Swiss guests about Allgäu cheese-making and varieties would be applauded.
