Gasthaus Zur Noll stands out as a highly recommended hotel in Jena's old town, celebrated for its prime and charming location. Nestled amidst historical buildings, it offers convenient access to key attractions, the market square and public transportation, while maintaining a tranquil ambiance that enables restful stays. The hotel’s unique blend of old-world authenticity with modern comforts greatly appeals to guests.
The dining experiences at Gasthaus Zur Noll receive high praise, especially the breakfast, which is lauded for its quality, variety and fresh regional ingredients. The breakfast buffet's diverse selection, including fresh fruits, vegetables, homemade jams and freshly baked bread, caters to both sweet and savory preferences and is complemented by a cozy and pleasant dining atmosphere. The dinner service is equally impressive with a menu that features delicious Thuringian home-cooked dishes and creative weekly specials, enjoyed in a rustic and charming setting.
Guests consistently commend the clean, comfortable and spacious rooms, particularly in the guesthouse’s new building. These rooms are noted for their modern furnishings, soundproof windows, large bathrooms and extremely comfortable beds. The overall cleanliness of the hotel is another highlight, contributing significantly to the comfort and enjoyment of guests. The rooms' blend of modernity with traditional rustic charm, alongside practical and functional furnishings, results in an inviting and convenient stay.
The staff at Gasthaus Zur Noll is renowned for its exceptional service, marked by friendliness and helpfulness. The team's efficiency and attentiveness, from reception to dining service, enhance the guest experience, making it warm and personalized.
While parking facilities present some challenges due to limited and tight spaces, guests appreciate the secure and budget-friendly options available, especially for bicycles. The provision of multiple EV charging stations underscores the hotel’s commitment to accommodating eco-conscious travelers.
The hotel’s family-friendly environment offers a welcoming atmosphere with family rooms and considerate accommodations for children. Accessibility efforts are noted with features like a disabled-friendly bathroom and elevator access, although some rooms remain accessible only by stairs, potentially posing challenges for those with mobility issues.
In summary, Gasthaus Zur Noll excels in providing comfortable accommodations, exceptional dining experiences and a warm, welcoming atmosphere amidst a beautifully historic setting. Its dedication to cleanliness, customer service and modern amenities makes it an ideal choice for travelers exploring Jena.
Schwarzer Bär Jena is well-regarded for its prime location near Jena's historic old town and vibrant city center, providing easy access to local attractions, the university, public transportation and notable sites such as the planetarium and botanical garden. Although some guests noted noise from the busy intersection, the hotel's charm and traditional ambiance make it ideal for both business and leisure travelers.
The breakfast experience at the hotel is highly praised for its extensive, varied and high-quality offerings with a buffet that includes a range of options to cater to different dietary preferences. Guests appreciated the well-stocked selections and the friendly service, making breakfast a memorable part of their stay, despite some concerns about pricing and limited options in certain areas.
Dinner at the in-house restaurant is frequently highlighted for its excellent cuisine and service with sustainable and regional dishes that leave guests satisfied. The cocktail offerings in the evening add to the dining experience, although the restaurant can become fully booked quickly.
Cleanliness is a consistent strength of Schwarzer Bär Jena with guests frequently describing the rooms and general areas as very clean and well-maintained. The hotel's staff are often commended for their friendliness, helpfulness and attentiveness, contributing significantly to a welcoming and positive atmosphere.
The hotel rooms receive mixed reviews. Many guests appreciated the spacious, clean and modernly furnished rooms, especially the newly renovated junior suites. However, other rooms were seen as outdated with some functional but spartan furnishings and occasional noise issues from street-facing rooms. Despite these inconsistencies, cleanliness and comfort were generally noted.
Wi-Fi connectivity could be improved, as many guests reported weak or unstable signals, particularly on higher floors. Parking at the hotel, though limited and occasionally challenging, is considered convenient and secure with reasonably priced options.
The hotel is well-located for enjoying local nightlife, offering quiet nights for restful sleep and a variety of nearby dining options, despite limited taxi availability at night. The bed experience is mixed with many guests finding the beds comfortable, while others noted issues with hardness or size.
While the hotel's historic building adds a unique charm, several guests felt that Schwarzer Bär Jena did not fully meet their expectations for a four-star rating, citing outdated amenities and a lack of modern conveniences. Nonetheless, the hotel is highly recommended for business travelers with good conference facilities, helpful staff and a central location.
In summary, Schwarzer Bär Jena provides a charming and historic stay with highlights in location, cleanliness, breakfast and staff service, though it could benefit from updates in room amenities and more reliable Wi-Fi.