Radisson Blu Hotel Altstadt

Milan Biswakarma, the front office manager, was particularly pleasant and helpful. He explained everything clearly, which made our stay easy and enjoyable. We also had a great time using the sauna and indoor pool. The hotel offers five star service and feels like a five star place. Very good hotel, and I’d certainly recommend staying here.

We only stayed one night, and the room was very comfortable. The staff were friendly, the location was great, and we had no complaints. We were unexpectedly upgraded to a nicer room with extra space, which was wonderful, though I wouldn’t count on that happening. I’d recommend the hotel.

The carpets were dirty, surfaces dusty, towels and bed linens smelled unpleasant, the lighting was dim, and the Wi-Fi unreliable. Calling the building “historic” doesn’t excuse poor cleanliness or basic comfort. This was one of our worst hotel experiences, and we wouldn’t recommend it. We’ve stayed at places across many standards internationally, and this was among the poorest for service, communication, and comfort. There are better value options nearby. We booked and paid for a River View room for my mom and sister, as stated in our confirmation, but were offered a city view at check-in. When my mom questioned it, Azizul Haq at the front desk was dismissive and condescending, telling her to be grateful to get a room because demand was high and they were “fully booked” till 2026. Manager Albert later said the room type on the booking was only a “sample,” even though River View and City View were separate categories. That made no sense to us. Why didn’t the booking say City View/River View? No solution was offered, so we reluctantly took the city view room. My mother and sister felt uncomfortable staying alone after that, so I changed my plans and stayed an extra night. We told reception, asked for an extra bed, and one was delivered. I’ve included a video of the room with the third bed. We still decided to check out because we felt uncomfortable. The next day, Azizul loudly told us he was “educating us” because we hadn’t declared a third guest. We explained that the hotel had been informed and had provided the bed. He then tried to justify shouting at my mother by saying Albert had scolded him. That is not professional hotel behavior. Albert was just as unhelpful, if not more so, and spoke aggressively when he got involved. He offered no resolution and dismissed our concerns. The manager’s reply to this review is sad, just a copy-paste, and shows a lack of accountability. The building’s age doesn’t excuse failing to maintain it.

The only thing lifting this place for us so far is the door that opens straight onto the old town. I check out tomorrow, though I’ve already committed to coming back for three nights next week, and I’m not looking forward to returning to this depressing room. I’ve never written such a negative hotel review and wish I didn’t have to, but someone needs to call this place out. Luxury it isn’t, and it misses the mark in so many ways. Our room is large, but it’s a luxury suite that feels like the room of doom. The lighting is minimal, and the shower is just a nozzle over the bath, not a separate shower. The furnishings seem to be considered luxury, but they’re depressing. The hotel could make better use of the space: remove the wardrobe, close off half the hallway, open the bedroom and living area wall, and there could be an amazing walk-in robe, a standalone shower, and a beautiful bath. The hotel is old, and the red carpet on the stairs from the street was filthy when we arrived. There are scuff marks all over, the reception area behind the desk is battered with scraped walls, and the lift is filthy. Linen and towel trolleys sit in hallways day and night. The furnishings don’t fit together. There’s no love or pride in this place. The website sells its age as historic charm, but even the single room key has a two pound weight attached, making it awkward to carry around all day. Swipe cards apparently don’t fit the aesthetic. I left the key at reception when I went out. On return, nobody checked who I was, they just asked for my room number. My sense of safety dropped to zero. The front desk also needs at least two staff who can actually attend to guests. When we arrived there were two, but one was busy and the other just stared and did nothing, so we waited ages to be acknowledged. I still don’t know why that other person was there. The woman who checked us in was lovely, and she’s the reason I kept a star on the review. There should also be at least two bellboys at the bottom of the stairs to take bags up the 20 plus steps from the street. The reception staff wear uniforms, but they look as if they don’t get ironed or cleaned. No polished shoes, just black runners, and this hotel claims to be luxury. How the hotel gets a 4.3 average is beyond me. The general manager should be fired for not seeing how much the place needs a proper clean, and the CEO should be fired too. Any CEO happy to call this hotel luxury shouldn’t represent the brand. The owners should be ashamed to think this product is anything more than maybe 2 or 3 stars. A full overhaul is clearly needed. I can only speak for the one room I’ve seen and stayed in.