Arcotel Rubin Hamburg

The breakfast offered many choices, but the individual items were rather boring (not a crisp roll in sight, and pre-cooked dishes), so it wasn't exactly a sensation, The location was good, close to the main central station in a neighbourhood which sometimes feels more like Istanbul -- with red-light touches -- than a West European city. But no harm in that. The staff were friendly, the fitness room excellent (with a lovely view) and the hotel restaurant surprisingly good. We had dinner there one evening when my husband was too tired to go out, and the quality of the food was better than you usually get in a hotel restaurant. Another big plus: very comfortable beds!

We could never get used to the lavatory being in a small room by itself, far from the wash-basin. Also, we ought to have been informed at check-in that we'd be required to make a part payment as soon as we'd run up a bill of more than 500 euros. I have nothing against the policy in itself, but the way it was communicated (a letter in the room after a couple of days) made me feel as if the place didn't trust me. Better be upfront about such a policy -- or discontinue it. And I hated the garage! How anyone can park a good-sized car there I cannot imagine. Ordering room service by phone turned out to be well-nigh impossible -- the number was always engaged, and there was no room-service menu, guests being expected to use an internet facility which I couldn't master. So I went down to the bar and placed my room-service orders with the staff there. Not ideal.