"Let's get the rooms with the kitchens if we can," I suggested when my in-laws asked about which hotel option to pick for a family friend's wedding in Stollberg-Zweifall, (near Aachen,) Germany.  I was thinking of my daughter's love for yoghurt and cheese, and how it would be very handy indeed to have a cold place to keep those things, and a small stove to cook pasta if/when she decided nothing else would do.  There were restaurants about, but we wanted options, just in case.  I hinted that we'd found rooms with kitchens to be extra convenient, especially when traveling with a child.

Little did I know that the groom, who had provided a list of nearby hotels and their phone numbers, had neglected to mention one small detail about the hotel with the self-catered rooms.  Actually, a couple.  But one more important than the rest.

My fantastic, patient, and good-humored inlaws booked the rooms over the phone, without much delay. (It is important to note here that no one  had yet visited the hotel's website, or seen a brochure.) A few weeks later, the booking letter arrived, with brochures.  Surprise!  Not only was the Hotel Zum Walde beautifully situated between the town and the bride and groom's home, and each apartment-level room complete with kitchen, and many services available within the hotel, it was also "ein erste Adresse für Naturisten."  Or, in English, a hotel for all people, including those who wish to enjoy their holiday sans clothing.

Europe is much more mature about such things than we are stateside.  I would probably be too, if I'd been raised in Europe.  As it was, I may have yelled "We're spending the week with your folks at a Nekkie Hotel!" more than a few times.  Knowing full well that it was my own  fault.

When we arrived, another small detail that hadn't seemed a problem at all - no air conditioning - presented itself in the form of a stifling room, that was only slightly hotter than record-breaking heat wave outside. The heat wave was causing havoc and suffering throughout France and Germany, and I suspect it was a good time to be a naturist.  But we were too tired to even consider disrobing.  But we worked out quickly that we did have one advantage: a rental car with A/C.  Which we climbed into and cranked up without (much) guilt until we didn't feel as if we were going to pass out any longer.

The room cooled off, and the village of Zweifall was charming.  Our hosts marvelous. And the wedding very, very traditional, with some surprises thrown in.  For instance, a surprise for the groom - apparently he didn't find out until the last minute that he'd be translating the service for his American friends and relations, in addition to reciting his vows.  He did a great job.

And as it turned out, not only did we not see anything that would have alarmed even my most uptight Protestant ancestors, we barely saw anyone else at the hotel.  The rooms were large and sunlit, the kitchen was a huge asset, and it was great to be across the hall from her - always well dressed - Oma and Opa.