Ritz-Carlton Hotel Wolfsburg

ABOVE: A night view of the Ritz-Carlton, Wolfsburg and its pool, which appears to float in the Mittelland Canal between the Autostadt and the VW powerplant. INSET BELOW: One of the hotel's luxurious guest rooms.

Rooms with a V(ie)W

The Ritz-Carlton, Wolfsburg is owned by Volkswagen and operated by the Ritz-Carlton group. The 174-room luxury hotel overlooks the Autostadt and the Mittelland Canal, and you can walk directly from the hotel to the park.

Rooms are large, comfortable, and attractively furnished in a warm modern style. I was lucky enough to get a "premium deluxe" room on the top floor, which had a small balcony and a view of the Autostadt. (Standard "deluxe" rooms lack the balcony but are the same size as rooms on the top floor.)

The Ritz-Carlton, Wolfsburg is geared to the corporate expense-account crowd, with two upscale restaurants: Aqua (three Michelin stars) and The Grill (which doubles as an elegant buffet breakfast room).

Rates drop a bit on weekends, and you can get packages that include tickets to the Autostadt. If you're a swimmer or spa enthusiast, make sure that your rate or package includes admission to the pool or spa facilities. The pool has a remarkable setting, by the way: It appears to float in the Mittelland Canal, and you reach it via a small footbridge.

For more information on the hotel, see the Ritz-Carlton, Wolfsburg Web site. If you're looking for something cheaper, search Booking.com's Wolfsburg listings for a hotel in downtown Wolfsburg, which is just across a pedestrian bridge from the Autostadt.

Also see: Phæno Science Museum, Wolfsburg

What to see and do:
Volkswagen Autostadt	Factory tours
GroupForum - Piazza	Driver training
ZeitHaus museum	Car towers, delivery center
Brand pavilions	Restaurants, shopping

Practical advice:
Getting to Wolfsburg	Ritz-Carlton, Wolfsburg (hotel)

Phaeno - Wolfsburg's science museum

Photos: Autostadt.

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