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Summary of reviewsSchwarzer 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 However, other rooms were seen as outdated with some functional but spartan furnishings and occasional noise issues from street-facing rooms.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. Show more
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Dog Friendly Hotel
This hotel allows pets of any size in designated rooms (Junior Suite only) for an additional fee of €10 per pet, per night. Both dogs and cats are welcome.
Hotel with Parking
The hotel offers a limited number of parking spaces on-site for a fee. Additionally, free parking for motorcycles and bicycles is available in their garage based on availability.
EV charging stations
Hotel with EV Charging Stations
Hotel for Honeymoon
Family Friendly Hotel
Romantic Hotel
Hotel near Nightlife Spots
Business Hotel
Accessible Hotel
4-Star Hotel
Room Types
SuiteThis suite features a conference table and a bath tub.
Single RoomThis room features a TV, minibar and private bathroom facilities.
Double RoomThis room features a TV, minibar and private bathroom facilities.
Junior SuiteThis junior suite includes a safe, a seating area and a private bathroom. Some of the units are air-conditioned.
Superior Double RoomThis double room is fitted with a safe. Some of the units also include air conditioning.
Deluxe Single RoomThis single room is equipped with a safe. Some units come with air conditioning.
Small Single RoomThis air-conditioned single room is comprised of a flat-screen TV with satellite channels and a private bathroom. The unit has 1 bed.
Deluxe Double RoomThis air-conditioned double room is comprised of a flat-screen TV with satellite channels and a private bathroom. The unit has 1 bed.
Superior Single RoomThe single room offers a wardrobe, a safe deposit box, as well as a private bathroom featuring a shower and a hairdryer. This single room features heating and a flat-screen TV with satellite channels. The unit offers 1 bed.
Superior SuiteThe fireplace is a top feature of this suite. This spacious suite comes with 1 living room, 1 separate bedroom and 1 bathroom with a bath and a shower. This suite has air conditioning, a minibar, flat-screen TV with satellite channels, as well as wine/champagne for guests. The unit has 2 beds.
Guest Reviews
7.7
Good
Location
Schwarzer Bär Jena boasts an enviable location, frequently praised by guests for its proximity to Jena's historic old town and the vibrant city center. This hotel offers a prime spot for exploring the city's attractions, all of which can be reached within a few minutes on foot. The central positioning of the hotel makes it an ideal choice for both business and leisure travelers, as it is situated close to the primary city landmarks and the university. Guests appreciate its accessibility with the train station, public transportation and notable sites such as the planetarium and botanical garden just around the corner. Despite some noise due to its central location at a busy intersection, the historic charm and traditional ambiance of the building add to the overall appeal, making it perfect for city vacations and family reunions alike.
Breakfast
The breakfast experience at Schwarzer Bär Jena has received predominantly positive reviews from guests. It is frequently described as rich, extensive and varied, often praised for its lavish buffet and wide selection that includes many different varieties of coffee, water and tea. Guests were particularly pleased with the well-stocked and routinely replenished buffet, the availability of gluten-free options upon request and the overall quality and taste of the offerings.
A significant number of visitors mentioned that the breakfast was excellent, fantastic or even outstanding, noting that it provided a very good start to the day. The breakfast room itself was well-equipped and clean, contributing to an appealing overall presentation. Delicacies such as a selection of Thuringian breakfast items, delicious and healthy food choices and the inclusion of extras like champagne further enhanced the dining experience for many.
However, there were a few critical remarks regarding certain aspects. Some guests felt the breakfast was overpriced, not worth the cost or could have included a broader range of options, particularly in terms of cheese variety, vegan alternatives and fresher bread rolls. Despite these critiques, the consensus remains that the extensive and diverse offerings, coupled with friendly service, create a satisfying and enjoyable breakfast experience that many guests highly recommend.
Overall, the breakfast at Schwarzer Bär Jena impresses with its breadth, quality and attention to dietary preferences, making it a noteworthy part of the hotel stay.
Dinner
Guests of Schwarzer Bär Jena repeatedly praise the hotel's restaurant, highlighting its excellent cuisine and service. Diners can expect a very good dinner experience with a menu that's worth recommending. The in-house restaurant impresses with its sustainable and regional dishes, making it highly recommendable for fine dining. Both breakfast and dinner receive commendation for their quality with many mentioning the consistently good food. The cocktails offered in the evening are also noted as a delightful addition. While the restaurant can get fully booked, securing a meal here is well worth the effort. Overall, the food is described as delicious and the traditional cuisine offered does not disappoint.
Rooms
Schwarzer Bär Jena offers a varied experience when it comes to its hotel rooms. Many guests appreciated the spacious and clean rooms, noting that some were modernly furnished and very comfortable. The newly renovated junior suites, in particular, have been highlighted as exceeding expectations with their stylish decor and ample amenities. The presence of air conditioning in some rooms was positively noted, contributing to a comfortable stay.
However, there's a noticeable disparity in room quality. While some rooms have been updated and boast modern bathrooms and tasteful furnishings, others were described as outdated with old decor reminiscent of past eras. Issues such as small and cramped spaces, particularly in single rooms and noise from the street-facing rooms were mentioned. Functional but spartan furnishings have been pointed out in several reviews and certain rooms had quirks like difficult-to-close bathroom doors or running toilets.
Despite these inconsistencies, cleanliness remains a consistent high point with many rooms receiving praise for being meticulously maintained. Guests mentioned the comfort and pleasant ambiance of the rooms, even if some were on the smaller side. The hotel's central location adds convenience, although it sometimes comes with the trade-off of noise.
Overall, Schwarzer Bär Jena seems to strike a balance between offering charming, historically significant accommodations and modern comfort, even if it occasionally falls short in uniformity and updating across all its rooms.
Beds
Schwarzer Bär Jena offers a varied bed experience for guests with a mix of comfortable and some less favorable aspects noted. Many guests praised the hotel for its comfortable beds with several mentioning their satisfaction with very good and extremely good beds, highlighting good mattresses and excellent bed comfort. The availability of king-sized and canopy beds was also appreciated, adding a touch of luxury for some visitors.
However, there were mixed opinions regarding bed size and firmness. While some found the beds large and accommodating, others experienced narrower double beds, small one-person beds or even uncomfortable and very hard mattresses. Instances of beds creaking with the slightest movement and old, saggy mattresses were also reported, impacting the sleep quality for some. Additionally, some guests noted the beds' lack of a cozy atmosphere with complaints about small and thin duvets and pillows.
Despite these drawbacks, the hotel provides adequate bed options with the potential for a comfortable stay, especially for those who prefer firmer mattresses. The overall guest feedback indicates that while improvements could be made, many visitors still find the bed experience at Schwarzer Bär Jena satisfactory.
Cleanliness
Schwarzer Bär Jena is frequently praised for its high cleanliness standards. Guests regularly highlight the hotel's clean and tidy rooms, often describing them as very or spotlessly clean. The hotel overall, including specific mentions of the rooms and general areas, maintains an exemplary cleanliness condition, making it a reassuring choice for many travelers. Notably, many have found the rooms clean upon checking in and appreciated the hotel's well-maintained appearance.
The cleaning staff receives high marks with many guests acknowledging the excellent and thorough cleaning service. Comfortable beds add to the sense of cleanliness and security felt by guests. Some minor issues, such as isolated reports of unclean bathrooms, cobwebs near the entrance and occasional noise, were mentioned but do not dominate the overall positive sentiment.
Ideal for both business and leisure stay, the hotel's clean and cozy ambiance, coupled with its functional and stylishly decorated rooms, contribute to an overall comfortable and welcoming experience. The location is well-commended, enhancing the hotel’s appeal for various purposes. Overall, Schwarzer Bär Jena stands out as a clean and well-maintained hotel, ensuring a pleasant stay for its visitors.
Staff
Visitors to Schwarzer Bär Jena frequently praise the hotel for its outstanding staff. The common theme in the reviews highlights the exceptionally friendly, helpful and accommodating demeanor of the employees. From the moment guests check-in, they often noted a welcoming and attentive atmosphere with the reception staff being particularly courteous and competent. The personalized attention from the front desk enhances the overall experience, ensuring that guests feel well-cared for and valued.
Many guests appreciated the small gestures such as being greeted with a bottle of mineral water in their rooms, which added a thoughtful touch to their stay. The staff's politeness and ability to handle special requests, coupled with prompt, efficient service, contribute to a very positive environment. While there were occasional mentions of unfriendliness or confusion among the staff, these instances seem to be rare and isolated.
Overall, the Schwarzer Bär Jena is commended for its warm, accommodating and extremely friendly personnel, making it a highly recommended choice for travelers who value excellent service and a dedicated staff.
Wi-Fi
At Schwarzer Bär Jena, guests have shared varied experiences with the hotel’s Wi-Fi. While there are positive remarks about the possibility to make tea and coffee using a kettle and pod machine, the Wi-Fi service appears to have room for improvement. Many guests noted that the Wi-Fi signal in the rooms was either weak or not available at all. The issue seems more pronounced as one goes higher up the floors, leading to an unstable internet connection in certain areas of the hotel. Although there were some mentions of good Wi-Fi, the overall sentiment leans towards the necessity for better and more reliable internet access throughout the property.
Parking
Schwarzer Bär Jena offers central and on-site parking, making it convenient for guests arriving by car. There is a fee for parking, typically around 10€ per night, though some find this cost reasonable considering the location. The hotel provides safe parking options, including a garage for bicycles and motorcycles, ensuring peace of mind for those traveling with these modes of transportation.
However, potential guests should be aware that parking spaces are quite limited and often narrow, which can make parking a bit of a challenge. It may require some finesse to park comfortably. The availability of spaces can be an issue, as they might all be taken during peak times, leading to difficulties in finding a spot. Despite this, parking at the hotel is praised for being convenient and practical for those who manage to secure a space.
Overall, while the parking situation at Schwarzer Bär Jena is not without its challenges, the convenience and security it offers, along with fair pricing, make it a viable option for many travelers.
Nightlife
Located centrally, Schwarzer Bär Jena offers a prime spot for enjoying the local nightlife. Despite being situated near a busy road, guests appreciate the quiet atmosphere at night, ensuring restful sleep. The surrounding streets are vibrant and full of life with numerous restaurants within walking distance, providing a range of dining options. While the nightlife in the area is considered moderate, guests note the convenience of the hotel's location for evening activities. However, the availability of taxis at night can be limited, posing a potential challenge for those looking to venture farther afield after dark. Some guests suggest that the hotel bar could enhance the nocturnal experience by staying open later and offering music.
4 Star
The Schwarzer Bär Jena is housed in a well-maintained historic building that adds to its unique charm. However, numerous guests have voiced concerns about the hotel's four-star rating, indicating that their experience did not match their expectations for such a classification. Several reviews noted that the amenities provided are basic and do not align with what one would typically anticipate from a hotel of this rating. Common issues included non-functional and outdated televisions and breakfast offerings that fell short of four-star standards.
Additionally, guests remarked that the decor feels outdated and more modern conveniences like cotton swabs and shoe brushes were missing from the bathroom amenities. These factors collectively gave the impression that the value for money is lacking, especially when considering the rate of over 100€ per night. While the historic ambiance of the building is appreciated, the overall consensus suggests that the hotel does not fully live up to its four-star designation in terms of facilities and services offered.
Business
Schwarzer Bär Jena appears to be an excellent choice for business travelers. The conference rooms and public facilities receive praise for their impressive quality and maintenance. The staff is noted for being very helpful, providing prompt and friendly service, which adds to the professional environment. Business guests find the location optimal for their tasks with good public transportation options enhancing convenience. The hotel meets special requests effectively, further demonstrating its suitability for business purposes. The central location and available parking are additional benefits that make the overall experience for business stays highly recommendable. Internet connectivity issues for MacBook users, however, were pointed out as a minor drawback. Overall with its good ambiance, service and practical amenities, Schwarzer Bär Jena is well-regarded among business travelers.
Accessible
Schwarzer Bär Jena is a mixed bag when it comes to accessibility for guests with disabilities. While the hotel offers good accessibility to the city center, the overall accessibility within the hotel might pose challenges for some guests. Despite being chosen with the disabled accessible filter, reviews indicate that for wheelchair users, the hotel falls short with comments mentioning both low and difficult accessibility. However, certain areas of the hotel are noted as being very easily accessible. It's important for prospective guests to consider these varied experiences when booking, as it highlights a potential inconsistency in the hotel's effort to cater to those with mobility issues.
Romantic
Schwarzer Bär Jena offers a unique and charming stay for couples seeking a romantic getaway. Nestled within a historic building, the hotel exudes old-world charm, enhanced by a thoughtfully curated decor. The rooms are romantically designed, featuring a blend of historic elegance and modern touches, creating a lovely ambiance. Despite some minor flaws, the hotel maintains a captivating romantic feel, particularly suited for those who appreciate a blend of history and romance. With its enchanting atmosphere and ample opportunities for scenic romantic walks, the Schwarzer Bär Jena promises a memorable and intimate experience.
Dog Friendly
Schwarzer Bär Jena is a dog-friendly hotel that accommodates guests traveling with pets. The hotel ensures a welcoming environment for dogs, providing special amenities such as feeding spots in the room and pet bowls. The historical ambiance of the hotel also extends to accommodating the needs of Japanese dog breeds. Guests have noted that the hotel is suitable for pet owners, offering the ease of arriving with a dog. Beyond pet-friendly services, the hotel even caters to cyclists by providing a dedicated garage for bicycles. Overall, Schwarzer Bär Jena offers a thoughtful and inclusive stay for those traveling with their furry companions.
No, Schwarzer Bär Jena doesn't have any pool.
No, a spa isn't available at Schwarzer Bär Jena.
Yes, Schwarzer Bär Jena welcomes dogs.
Yes, parking facilities are available at Schwarzer Bär Jena.