Hotel Kronenhof

Hotel Kronenhof

Rooms facing Kirchhofplatz look straight at the Munot Fortress, the structure Schaffhausen calls its landmark, and that view is the reason to ask for one of them when booking. Hotel Kronenhof has occupied this corner of the old town since 1950, a 41-room property built into the Altstadt rather than set apart from it, which means the best bars and clubs are a short walk from reception and, on summer nights, audible from the rooms above them. That trade-off will bother anyone hoping for quiet after 10pm and reward anyone who wants to walk out the door and be in the middle of things. What separates the Kronenhof from other addresses nearby is that guests get free, direct access to its own spa area, a Finnish sauna, sanarium, aromatic steam bath and Kneipp area, at no extra charge, alongside two distinct restaurants under the same roof: Steakhouse Ox for grilled meat and seafood and Kronenstube for Mediterranean and Swiss dishes, both opening onto a bar and terrace facing the fortress. Room sizes shift by category, from a 215-square-foot economy double to a 538-square-foot two-bedroom suite, with equipment such as a shower, TV and mini-bar varying accordingly. The front desk is not staffed overnight, so late arrivals after 10pm should call ahead using the number on the booking confirmation. An extra bed runs 30 CHF a night, and pets are welcome for 15 CHF per stay. Staff speak English, Italian, German and French, useful given the mix of business travelers and weekend couples. Schaffhausen's train station is a five-minute walk, the Rhine Falls a ten-minute drive. Ask for the fortress-facing room and the rest sorts itself out. In Schaffhausen's old town, Hotel Kronenhof puts fortress views and the best nearby bars within walking distance, which means summer nights carry noise into the rooms above them. Free access to its own sauna and steam bath, plus two distinct restaurants, sets it apart from other 41-room addresses nearby.