Hotels near Almhütte Royal

Almhütte Royal is not a tent. It is a chalet assembled from historic Alpine timbers, holding up to 2,500 people, and it took the place of the Almhüttendorf that older lists still name. Stuttgarter Hofbräu arrives at the table in 10-litre wooden casks you tap yourself, which changes the rhythm of an afternoon: nobody waits on a server for the next round. The Herzl Bar sits on the panorama gallery above the floor and a royal sleigh hangs over the room.

The kitchen is run by the Stuttgarter Ratskeller and turns out roast onion and truffle-cheese Spätzle, with a daily special of pork and a half litre of beer at EUR 15.90. Booking is the catch. Friday and Saturday nights take groups of ten or more only, other days accept pairs, on 0800 711 2222 or almhuette-royal.de. At 2,500 this is the smallest of the eight, which is precisely why the doors close early on a busy Saturday.

Pro Tip: With fewer than ten in your party, take a Sunday to Thursday slot on 0800 711 2222; Friday and Saturday nights are groups of ten or more only. The EUR 15.90 pork and half-litre special is the cheapest full meal on this list.