Hotel Metropole

I liked the old-time feel of the hotel, its comfortable beds, friendly staff, and excellent location. I stayed two nights in a superior double. The bed was very wide and spacious, though the room itself looked smaller than the photos suggested. The bathroom was very nice overall, but there seemed to be construction or maintenance underway: the phone in the bathroom was crooked, and some insulation was visible. Those signs of work were the only downside, with the crooked bathroom phone standing out most.

The foyer and cafe are very pretty, and there was free beer and water in the minibar. The rooms were another story. They looked nothing like the amazing photos, with significant damage and water damage on the walls. Poor ventilation left our room smelling strongly of cigarette smoke, and we woke several times during the night. The staff seemed disorganized and generally quite rude. There was also a €100 deposit to stay there, which felt ironic given the damage in the room. It really was an “Expectations Vs Reality” situation.

The tram and metro entrance is right outside the hotel, which made getting around exceptionally convenient. The staff were friendly and accommodating, and the rooms were clean. The grand lobby has a beautiful interior, though the rooms suggest the hotel had its finer days 30-40 years ago and could use renovation. Construction was underway in the plaza out front in May 2017, but it didn’t take away from the experience. I had a very nice stay.

The original room we were given smelled of smoke, which wasn’t pleasant, but they eventually found us a better one. That room was spacious, with a lovely bathroom. The hotel is traditional and beautifully decorated, and the grand entrance and old elevator made it feel like you could almost travel back in time. Construction in the pedestrian area outside made things dusty and meant a slightly longer walk, though that couldn’t be helped and didn’t affect the hotel too much.