Hotel Panorama Heidelberg: A Review

European hotels can sometimes be super expensive. When I travel, I want the hotel to be my base, from which I can then explore. As much as I love the luxury, if I am travelling on a budget I just do not need it. Enter the Hotel Panorama Heidelberg, which fulfils the requirements of budget, quality and practicality. I wouldn’t be doing you guys a service if I didn’t write a little bit about what to expect of the hotel if you stay in this gorgeous city.

The Panorama Hotel Heidelberg: A Review

The Downstairs

The lobby of the Panorama is small, with only a desk, an elevator and a couple of doors that lead into the dining room and ‘bar’. It is what you would expect of a budget hotel, with no frills anywhere to be seen. Despite this it is immaculately clean and the people behind the desk showed a genuine interest in our stay.

The dining room, adjacent to the desk, has a great view of the river. Whilst they only serve breakfast here (more on that later), it was lovely to spend the first few moments of the morning here. The furniture was also of a good quality and was comfy. Again, the dining room of the Panorama Hotel Heidelberg has no extra bits, just what you need done well.

Whilst I said there was a bar, this is more of a small chill room. Again, you are treated to views of the river and comfortable seating. You can sit here and drink something in the evening if you choose to, though we always went out to nearby breweries instead.

Checking in was also really easy. Even though we arrived slightly early, they quickly made up our rooms so that we could relax after a long trip. The professionalism of the staff was truly second-to-none. I do not think I have ever stayed at a hotel abroad and experienced such care. For a three-star hotel, I was very impressed.

The Room

We were promised a ‘river view’ in our hotel room. As we were there for New Years, we wanted an ideal spot to watch any fireworks. Our view from the room was exactly what was promised; we could even see parts of the Philosopher’s Walk.

The bed was extra-large and very comfortable. Like all German hotels, we got two duvets (always a win!) and were brought fresh bottled water each day. We had a large desk too and a spacious wardrobe. The room was far larger than what I thought we would get. The Panorama Hotel Heidelberg genuinely makes you forget you are in a three-star hotel, except when you look at your bank statement.

The bathroom too was clean, spacious and nice. Do not expect anything like a 5-star hotel, but it has all the essentials that you need to explore. Ultimately, it was clean and the shower worked well, which was all I needed. Amenities etc. were also provided each day too.

The Breakfast

I have eaten at some top 5-star hotels in the world, including some which made incredible breakfasts. The Panorama Heidelberg is genuinely near that category for their buffet. You cannot have eggs to order or select a large fry up of your choice, but there is just so much to choose from at the buffet that you will not need to.

There were fresh pastries each day, with different large, warm breads. Cheeses and meats were plentiful and there was a great European selection. You could also even have waffles or pancakes, complete with the trimmings. The star of the show was the fruit platter though. It was decorated with such care and had the widest variety of fruit I have seen at a buffet. I dare say that it beats the 5 star Thai behemoth of the Devasom Khao Lak, and that was pretty special.

Coffee and drinks were always brought over to the table and, as it was all you can eat, we really stocked up for the day. All in all, a five-star breakfast for a three-star price. What more could you want?

Nearby Attractions

There is just so much to see and do nearby. Why not check out my guide on what to see in Heidelberg for a full list?

The Verdict

This is the perfect hotel for those of you who just want to travel, see the sites, have a great sleep and breakfast. If you are looking for a super fancy hotel, the Panorama Hotel Heidelberg is probably not for you. However, I dare say that I was more impressed here than a good proportion of other hotels I have stayed at over the years. A true Girl on the Move recommended stay!

*cover image source: Hotel Panorama

You can also find me on social media: Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Did you know that I also vlog my travel adventures? I would love you to subscribe to my YouTube channel so that you never miss an episode… SUBSCRIBE HERE