Sharma's Hotel in Ilmenau, a simple stay with mountain views
Sharma's Hotel is a simple, no-frills hotel on Marktstraße in Ilmenau, in Thuringia, with private bathrooms, free Wi-Fi and free parking. It suits bikers, festival-goers and short weekend stays on a budget. It does not take children under 18 or pets, and cleanliness reviews are mixed.
Written by Valeria Romano
Published
Mapiola is a travel blog: this is not the official website of Sharma's Hotel.
Where Sharma's Hotel is and how to get there
Sharma's Hotel is at Marktstraße 11 in Ilmenau, a town in the German state of Thuringia. It is a town address, and the rooms are listed with mountain views. Ilmenau sits at the edge of the Thuringian Forest, so it makes sense as a base if you like walking or touring on a motorbike.
Parking is free, which is the practical detail I would care about if I arrived by car. One guest who came on a biking holiday also says the motorbikes stood right outside the door.
There is one thing to check before you go. A cyclist who was put up late in the evening mentions the village of Gehren, and another guest says the host came over from Ilmenau to open the door and hand over the key. I can't tell from the data exactly how that fits together, so look at the map pin and ask the hotel where and how check-in works. Check-in is possible from 14:00 and check-out is until 11:00.
What the rooms are like
The rooms at Sharma's Hotel in Ilmenau are simple and practical, with a private bathroom in each. According to the old description they also have a flat-screen TV, a minibar and a seating and dining area, and some have a separate entrance. A hairdryer and basic toiletries are provided.
The rooms are non-smoking, and free Wi-Fi is included. Extra beds are possible on request. Breakfast and a restaurant are not confirmed publicly, so don't count on either. If you need to eat on site, ask before you arrive.
Guests describe the furniture as old, but the beds as newer, with soft, fresh-smelling bed linen in at least one case. That sounds like a fair summary of the place: dated style, comfortable enough to sleep well.
What guests say about Sharma's Hotel in Ilmenau
Most people who write about it are happy. Google gives it 4.3 out of 5 from 11 reviews, which is a small sample, so I read it as a hint rather than a verdict. These are the patterns I see.
- Cleanliness. Several guests call the rooms very clean, with fresh bedding and spotless towels, even if the house itself is old.
- The host. Many describe him as friendly and helpful, and a woman travelling alone says she felt safe and looked after.
- Value. A few say the price is fair and the booking was uncomplicated, good for a quick weekend away.
- Events and rides. Quite a few came for a festival or meet-up in the area, and one guest came for a motorbike holiday.
It is not all positive. Two guests, both from around a year ago, left one star. They describe a run-down, dirty room with cobwebs, spiders and hair in the drain, and one says payment was cash only, with no breakfast. Those reviews clash with the rest, which tells me that standards may vary from room to room or over time.
What to know before you book
The big restrictions are easy to miss. Children under 18 are not allowed, and pets are not accepted. Beyond that, the main risk is consistency, so it is worth asking a few questions first.
| What works | What to know |
|---|---|
| Free parking and free Wi-Fi | No children under 18 and no pets |
| Private bathroom in every room | Breakfast and restaurant not confirmed |
| Praise for cleanliness and a friendly host | Two harsh reviews about a dirty room |
| Fair price for what it is | Check-in details unclear, so ask ahead |
My advice is simple. Confirm how and where you will be met, ask whether the payment is by card or cash, and check the pin on the map. If anything about the answers feels vague, look elsewhere.
Who this hotel is for
I would choose Sharma's Hotel for a short, low-cost stay as an adult. It works for people on a motorbike or bicycle tour, for festival and meet-up visitors, and for a quiet weekend in Ilmenau when you only need a clean bed and a private bathroom.
I would skip it if you travel with children or a dog, if you want breakfast guaranteed, or if you need a polished, hotel-style experience. And if cleanliness is your number one priority, the two bad reviews are worth reading again before you decide.
What to do around Ilmenau
Ilmenau is a town at the edge of the Thuringian Forest, so the natural plan is to be outdoors. Walking and cycling routes are the obvious choice, and the motorbike riders who stay here seem to use the area for day tours.
I can't give you distances or a list of sights, because I only have the hotel's data and its reviews. A short look at the map before you travel will show you the forest paths, and you can ask the host for local tips when you check in. In the evening, expect a calm town rather than a big night out.
Passionate about travel and about the kind of places that turn a getaway into something unforgettable. I love writing about hotels, country houses and charming hideaways, helping every traveller find the perfect place to rest and feel at home.
