We booked our trip through http://www.oberammergau-passionsspiele.de.
We chose the highest price level for a 2 day stay, level 1A, so we could get the best tickets. We had no choice for the hotel, but did not worry because although we had never stayed in Oberammergau we had been there several times and knew there were several really nice hotels.
We arrived on May 15. It was very damp and cold and 8 degrees centigrade (about 40 F I think). That was the warmest it got the whole time we were there. So if you are going anytime soon, bring warm clothes. Although the theater is covered it is partially open and therefore not heated.
I am going to review the Passion Play first and save the bad part (our hotel for last). Our seats were on Row 7 seats 99 and 100, smack in the middle of the stage. Seats on the first few rows would not be that desirable, as you would have to stare up at the stage and it is colder on the first few rows. The acoustics in the theater are outstanding! Of course the play is in German, however we were provided with a book with the English translation the day we arrived. I read the play the day we arrived. We did semi follow it in the book just because the words had so much meaning for us, however I believe if you know ANYTHING of the story you would not find it difficult to follow. It is amazing there is so much talent from such a small village. The performances, staging, costumes, and music were first class quality. We were especially impressed by the actor who played Judas and the actor who played Jesus played the part as if he were filled by the Spirit. Apparently new to the play this time are "Living Images." These are scenes from the Old Testament sprinkled throughout the play at appropriate times to show how the Old Testament relates to the new. Actors are in the scenes as "stills." You have to see it, as it is difficult for me to explain, very moving. If you are not religious, expect to be well entertained and moved. If you are a Christian, expect that as well as to have an uplifting of the Spirit and an energizing of faith.
We were pleased not to notice price gouging by the shopkeepers. You may feel prices of the handwork are high if you are not familiar with the artistry of the area. Be advised the work is of highest quality and made by expert artisians in the area as well as other parts of Germany.
Our hotel was the Hotel Arnika. We had 2 nights with breakfast, 2 dinners and lunch on play day. If this is your hotel, I recommend you try and change. The hotel itself is OK, although certainly not one of the best in Oberammergau. The service is HORRIBLE! When we arrived at 6 for dinner we were told OUR dinner was not until 7:30. Thinking this was to allow the people attending the play on Saturday time to eat, we patiently waited and found that not to be the case many came and went who were not attending the play were served before we were served. The breakfast was far less than to be expected from a typical German breakfast. We arrived at lunch just before noon on the day we were to attend the play. We first seated ourselves in the dining room, but were moved by the gentleman who appeared to be owner or manager and told our seats were out in the reception area although the dining area was less than 1/4 full. We moved and ordered our lunch. There were 6 of us sitting at the table. We watched numerous people come and go. Finally at 1:00 we began to inquire about our order. We were told it would be out shortly and not to worry because the play did not start until 3:00. We questioned this as our information was the play started at 2:30. At 1:40 we decided we must leave. Our food began to arrive as we walked out the door, not even the food that was ordered. An attempt was made to get us to stay and eat, with the insistence that the play did not start until 3:00. Fortunately we did not listen and caught the bus to the play and were barely in our seats when the play started at precisely 2:30. Mrs OTNB advised the gentleman who appeared to be in charge that we did NOT get to eat lunch and that the play did indeed start at 2:30. He halfway apologized and directed the group of us who had missed lunch to a "special" table where we were one of the very first seated.We were one of the VERY last people to be served our meal in the restaurant. By the time we finished our food, the dessert buffet was empty. We pointed it out to the gentleman who just shrugged his shoulders. The person in charge was rude and uninterested in any discussions we attempted about the service. If we had listened to the people from the hotel and believed the play started at 3:00, we would have missed the beginning and had to interrupt people to get to our seats.