During our tour through Germany, we also landed in the wonderful Konstanz on Lake Constance. We had been looking forward to Lake Constance for weeks. Not only because of the beautiful surroundings, but also because we had arranged to meet the young owners of the wonderful Ko’Ono Hotel. We quickly realized: Hey, these two are perfect participants for our “People from Germany” interview series!
- Checking in at the Ko’Ono Hotel
- Hawaiian feeling in Konstanz
- Off to beautiful Lake Constance
- Konstanz on Lake Constance – The beautiful old town
- The small flower island of Mainau
- More activities and highlights
- All information at a glance
Checking in at the Ko’Ono Hotel
But before we introduce you to the interview, let’s take you through Konstanz. We took the bus from Freiburg to Konstanz. Once there, we grabbed the bus at the train station and continued to the “Litzelstetten gas station.” It’s all completely uncomplicated and only takes about 20 minutes. Although you’re no longer directly in the city center, the hotel’s location is still perfect for us.
Upon entering the hotel, we were greeted in a familiar and relaxed manner with an “Aloha” from the owners Jacqueline and Martin. We took a look around and after the first second were completely in love with this charming and lovingly furnished hotel.
The decor can be pretty well described with the words “Hawaiian,” “vintage,” “retro,” and “cool.” Shelves made from old wine crates, cozy rattan seating areas, stylish cabinets and dressers with a distressed look, and lovely details like Hawaiian signs, figurines, and pictures.
Hawaiian Feeling in Konstanz
Jacqueline gave us a tour, showing us the rooms, the terrace, the restaurant, and the lounge. You can’t help but feel at home here! Afterwards, we were offered some delicious drinks to try. Unfortunately, we’ve forgotten what they were. Definitely something with passion fruit, and definitely DAMN DELICIOUS and refreshing.
We enjoyed the peace and quiet, the sun on our skin, the terrace, and the entire atmosphere of the hotel. And not only are the drinks at the Ko’Ono great, we can also highly recommend the food in the restaurant. Here, regional delicacies meet exotic cuisine; Lake Constance meets the South Seas.
What’s special about this hotel is its design and its unmistakable flair. As soon as you enter, you feel like you’re on vacation in Hawaii. A holiday feeling practically permeates the entire hotel; you’ll find lovingly crafted, stylish details everywhere. The Ko’Ono is already one of our favorite hotels in Germany—definitely! More insights and interesting information from our meeting with the owners will follow soon on the blog.
Off to beautiful Lake Constance
On this day, the weather was completely on our side, so we headed straight to Lake Constance. From the hotel, it was only a 20-minute bus ride to the Freibad Horn outdoor pool. This outdoor pool is located almost directly next to the Konstanz Therme and is free to use. In addition to a snack kiosk, there are also restrooms, showers, volleyball courts, a small children’s pool, and plenty of space for young and old.
The beautiful water of Lake Constance provides soothing refreshment on hot days. And who would have thought that Lake Constance’s water is really so crystal clear? Simply gorgeous! A little further on, you can also rent SUP boards and paddle around the water.
Konstanz on Lake Constance – The Beautiful Old Town
The old town of Konstanz is totally relaxed and perfect for simply strolling around. Here you will also find some historically diverse buildings that reflect the past. The beautiful town hall in the Florentine Renaissance style is worth a visit, as is the Konstanz Minster.
This tower rises as the tallest building above the historic old town. The tower is virtually impossible to miss, as its nearly 78-meter-high spire is visible from afar. From there, we head directly to the Stadtgarten by the lake. It hosts numerous events, concerts, and other activities. The pavilion by the lake offers a beautiful, unobstructed view of the lake.
By chance, we discovered a fantastic frozen yogurt shop. Each cup is like a small work of art. Here, you can find super-delicious varieties with tons of toppings to suit every taste. So if you’re ever in Konstanz, head to “I Love Leo.”
The small flower island of Mainau
But Konstanz has much more to offer! There’s plenty to do, especially in the surrounding area. A particularly popular excursion is Mainau Island. It is the third largest island in Lake Constance and is also known as the “Flower Island.” In spring, over a million tulips and other spring flowers bloom here. In summer, fragrant roses and hundreds of rhododendrons appear, and in autumn, you can see more than 11,000 dahlias.
And even in winter, the island looks simply magical, as it transforms into a beautiful, magical winter garden. Mainau Island can be reached by bike, boat, train, and bus. Since this island is privately owned, adults have to pay an entrance fee of just under €20. Children up to 12 years old pay nothing, and children 13 and older pay only €11.50.
More Activities and Highlights
And on we go! If you’re looking for rest and relaxation, you can take a trip to the Bodensee Therme Konstanz spa in Konstanz. It is located directly on Lake Constance, right next to the Horn outdoor pool. The spacious mineral and thermal water area, covering over 3,000 m², offers plenty of space for relaxation. It’s especially beautiful here during the colder seasons.
3 hours of use of the outdoor pool and thermal baths cost €10, a day pass costs €11.50. With use of the sauna, you pay €19.50 for 3.5 hours. Here you can find all the information about the Bodensee Therme in Konstanz. We only used the outdoor pool because we didn’t feel like using the thermal baths and sauna in 30-degree heat.
How about a trip over to Friedrichshafen? Three catamarans travel back and forth between the two towns daily. The trip takes just under 45 minutes each way. From here, you can let the view sweep across Lake Constance and enjoy the Alpine panorama. A one-way trip currently costs €10.50 per person. You can find all departure times and prices here.
Regular round trips on Lake Constance are also offered. Here, you sail past the Konstanz harbor, continue to the Bodensee Therme spa and then to Lake Überlingen. Afterwards, the trip returns to Konstanz along the Swiss shore. The trip on the Möwe (Seagull) takes just under 45 minutes and offers truly beautiful views of the lake, not to mention the Alpine backdrop. Further information about the Möwe (Seagull) round trip can be found here.
Or simply cycling around Lake Constance? The 273 km circular route runs along the German, Austrian, and Swiss shores of the lake. You can start this circular route in either direction. Here you can of course also choose shorter routes or travel parts of the route comfortably with the ships of the Lake Constance fleet.
All information at a glance
- Hotel: Single rooms, double rooms and family rooms (basic & comfort) bookable
- Prices: from 95€ per night including breakfast (depending on season and availability)
- Bookable: e.g. at Booking.com or directly via the Ko’Ono Hotel’s homepage
- Wellness with sauna and treatments
- Great restaurant with Delicacies
- How to get there: From Konstanz train station, take bus 4/13 or 6 to the Litzelstetten gas station.
- Bus ticket: One-way ticket €2.40 / Day ticket €4.70
Other activities: Konstanz Thermal Baths, Horn outdoor pool, Mainau Island, boat trips on Lake Constance, visit Konstanz’s old town, the city garden, the Bismarck Tower, Konstanz harbor, stand-up paddleboarding on Lake Constance, climb Konstanz Minster, feast at the Voglhaus, eat burgers at the DOM, and much more!