The Passenger, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel

The cleanliness, modern feel, and excellent breakfast earned it five stars from me, but the room layout cost it one. The table blocks access to the window, and the wardrobe and table stop you from moving the curtain aside. To get to the table and wardrobe at the end of the room, you have to squeeze between the bed and TV, brushing dust off the TV with your body each time. And why is there a semi-transparent wall beside the toilet? Who wants to see into it while the person they’re sharing the room with is using it? I really don’t understand.

The on-site gym is fantastic, and the rooms are modern and clean, though a little crowded. The location isn’t ideal, but bus #10 gets you to Alstadt in 25 minutes. Europa Park shopping mall, with a massive IKEA, is right across the street. Red Bull Arena, a designer outlet mall, and Salzburg Airport are all 10-15 minutes away by car. The weak points were housekeeping and the buffet breakfast, which I found completely not worth it. Go across the mall to The Bakery.

The rooms were amazing, and after a long journey the comfortable bed was much appreciated. We had trouble getting the parking code and final receipt sent to our email, though it was no problem receiving our mobility passes from the hotel at the same address.

We stayed for two nights, from February 22 to February 24, and the experience was extremely disappointing. The reception staff weren’t welcoming and didn’t show the level of hospitality I’d expect. The rooms were small, not properly cleaned, and short on basic amenities. There were no slippers or proper in-room facilities, and the coffee was very poor. This doesn’t live up to what I expect from the Marriott umbrella. Soundproofing was awful. We could hear everything from neighboring rooms, even ordinary phone conversations word for word. I’ve never had that happen at another hotel. At check-in we were asked for a €200 deposit and told it would be refunded the next day. Eight days later, it still hadn’t arrived. Reception kept saying the refund had been processed and blaming our bank. It felt like a car rental hold that might last 30 days or more. I’ve stayed in hotels on every continent, from €50 a night to over €1,200, and never encountered this kind of policy or delay. The stay fell far below acceptable standards, and I won’t return.