I visited the Obersalzberg with my family this past August, and we stayed at the Hotel Turken. I arranged this on purpose because I am a student of WWII history, and this holtel was once the headquarters for some of the SS guards whose job it was to protect Hitler when he was at his retreat, the Berghof. This Berghof--which is frequebtly seen in the color movies taken by Eva Braun-- was situated right nect door, just a few yards from the Turken. You may walk up to where the house stood and observe the magnificent and now infamous view of the Untersberg mountains. It is hard to imagine that sixty or so years ago, the average person in Germany would never be able to get even remotely close to this area, which was a closed off and tightly secured space.

As for the Holtel Turken, I cannot say enough. Aside from its role in history, the owner, Frau Scharfenberg is a wonderful hostess who speaks perfect english, and can answer many questions about the Hotel, her family being the original owners. She will also recommend some good, local restaurants if you want.

The view of the mountains from the dinning hall in the hotel is magnificant, and a hearty breakfast is served. The hotel becomes rather like your own home because you are given acess to a small but well-stocked, self-service bar with television off the lobby, and you will be given a key to the front door, which you will be responsible for locking each time you enter and exit the building. Once again, the view of the mountains from our room was unbelievable. If there wasn't so much to see and do in the area, you could almost sit in your room for hours just gazing at the scenery.

Of special interest is the bunker that runs under the hotel. This was a military installation, and part of a whole complex network of bunkers and tunnels that once connected all the homes of the high-ranking German officers and politicians during the Nazi period. You can walk through this bunker, which hasn't changed since the war.

Eventhough it is associated with a dark period in world history, this whole area is probably the most beautiful in all of Germany. I also recommend a drive up the Rossfeld Road, which is a scenic route that winds all the way up the mountain behind the hotel area. The alpine forrest and mountain peaks that seem to loom larger and larger as you travel further up and around the winding road should not be missed.

Mike Cuozzo,
New Jersey, USA

Stayed here for 2 nights in August 2006.

Hotel itself is very dated, but that is its charm. Worth the extra for a room with shower etc. Very good value. Spotlessly clean and beds comfortable.

A must for those with an interest in WWII. The bunker system under the hotel is fascinating and much more extensive than anticipated.

Frau Scharfenberg speaks excellent English and is very efficient and can point you to places to eat.
Make sure you get there before 6.00 pm - Frau Scharfenberg retires early in order to get up in time to bake bread for breakfast - which is better than average. You get given a key and strict instructions to lock the door behind you.
The nearby museum Dokumentation Obersalzberg is well worth a visit, and an excellent presentation.

Review: Zum Turken Hotel
Reviewer: Frequent european traveler who livied in Italy for six years
In planning a trip from Venice to Bavaria (and back) in October 2006 I came across an excellent review of a hotel in Obersalzberg called "Zum Turken." As serendipity would have it , I was reading the 5th edition of Frommer's "Munich and the Bavarian Alps" and found that the only hotel reccommended in Obersalzberg is Zum turken.
I was moved to write this review as it was the highlite of our two week tour. I would recommend rooms with a terrace as they provide the best view of the magnificent surrounding Alps. You can see why Hitler choose this area for his "Eagles Nest."
Frau Ingrid Schargenberg runs the hotel now and manages to keep everything spotlessly clean. This is a basic hotel, no spa, on fancy food(but a good Bavarian Breakfast that will hold you until dinner). What I enjoyed was the feeling of the history that has passed here and the warmth of an alpine- style inn. I think there is no better deal at these rates (less than $100/day) Enjoy !

My husband and I have stayed at the Zum Turken many times. He was there in the 70's when he was in the U.S. Army, stationed in Germany. Since then we have gone back many times. He says it has changed very little since then. I first went 17 years ago, and it has not changed at all since I first went, although the surrounding area has undergone some dramatic changes. Its consistency is one of its charms. The hotel is quaint, authentic, homey, interesting, historical, safe, reasonably priced, clean, and more. The owner is a good mixture of friendly and professional. I have travelled extensively, and of all the hotels where I've stayed, this is by far my favorite, in one of my favorite places in the world.