This is one of the prettiest and best-run hotels I've stayed at. Perhaps since previous reviews it has been upgraded or renovated? In any case, its four-star rating and top prices felt well-earned. (Also, I can't comment on the air-conditioning since our stay was in April.) The breakfast buffet was enormous and first-class, with numerous hot choices and endless cold ones, twenty choics of teas, attentive staff, and lovely dining areas looking out to the cobbled streets of Bamberg; the rooms were spotless; the bathroom had a soaking tub and an attractive decor; and the exterior of the hotel -- yes, a former hospital, but a Baroque one built by a prince --is beautiful. I also appreciated some of the hotel's small touches, like aromatherapy for the pillow, water and fruit juice available at all times in the lobby, and a jazz bar open until 2 am, a late hour for food that's a rarity for Europe and appreciated by this New Yorker. Plus, out the door is Little Venice, one of the top tourist spots; look up the hill to the right, and there's the magnificent Benedictine monastery. Even in a town as dense and walkable as Bamberg, this hotel felt perfectly situated.

I stayed at the Residenzschloss on 1 August for business. The entire experience was excellent. They have an underground parking garage, which costs Euro 7.50 per night. We checked in and then explored beautiful Bamberg. The Altstadt is about a five minute walk. St. Michaels, the Residenz, and the Cathedral are directly uphill from the hotel. The hotel is located in the small area between the Bamberg hills and the Regnitz river.
The room was clean, modern, and comfortable. They have a spa in the basement- this is Europe, so be prepared for co-ed nudity.
The restaurant had excellent food, and surprisingly was non-smoking. My steak meal was Euro 15.50, including a glass of merlot. Bamberg is famous for it's beer, and the hotel is a five minute walk to several excellent pubs and breweries.
The staff spoke English and was very professional. Breakfast in the morning was included with the room, and was a wide-ranging buffet, from your standard German breakfast to eggs and sausage, English style.
I have zero complaints and will stay here next month when I am back in town. I highly recommend a stay here when you visit Bamberg.

Public spaces not as atmospheric as I was led to believe fr other reviews and hotel website - not much architectural / decorative features to suggest the age of the building. The "Welcome" group is I suspect the German equivalent of Comfort Inn or Days Inn - the room quality anyway - a ""Scholss" or "Residenz" label's added if there's an older building attached. The room's actually quite comfortable - mine overlooked the garden - quiet and functional. The decor's strictly functional and modern (as in utilitarian!) with bright red swirly carpet on the floor, as skirting and up part of the wall! Breakfast is good - huge choice of cold and hot buffet. The staff's efficient and very helpful. Overall I think it's a bit expensive for what it is - the room's prob a 3 star - the general public space would struggle to scrape into a 4 star category. It's also a bit out of town - which means it's quiet but there's also a trudge back after dinner - a very pleasant walk along the river bank in daylight but could do without it in the dark. The only good restaurant I found was the Napumuk (Nepucuck?) - a hotel right by the wier - delicious morel soup, succulent loin of lamb, very tasty veal wrapped in procuitto - so good ate there twice (desserts not as good - clarty sponge masquerading as souffle). Do try to get to Vierzehnheilegan - German rococco at its best - easy by car - I went by train (20 mins?) and then taxi (17 euros? one way). Also Bayreuth - if only to peek inside the jewel box opera hse.

Location is quite good but avoid to stay there in summer.
There is no air-conditioning at all!
Formerly the hotel was an hospital. A lot of coach tours are staying in the hotel! It feels like a nursing home while they are storming the buffet.
Request for a late checkout after 4 nights in the hotel, I wanted to keep the room until 1 or 2pm while the checkout time was 11am, was denied. They wanted to charge me the day rate to keep it.
Would not stay there again for the room rates they charge. 50% off would be adequate.