Hotel Altein Arosa, a Faern Collection Resort

Our Comfy Double Mountain View room was worth every penny. The view and amenities made it comfortable, and housekeeping was impressively well timed. We were in room 513, and the attendant would come while we were at breakfast. The service was so unobtrusive. Finn handled a complaint about our New Year's Eve dinner very professionally, along with the BOH management. The nine-course meal took more than four and a half hours, though the food itself was great. A tall, grey-haired, moustached man who served breakfast and also worked on New Year's was attentive to the many guests. When he noticed I wasn't drinking the complimentary prosecco, he offered me non-alcoholic drinks. The food quality was excellent overall, even if service could be faster. On our last night we had dinner on the fifth floor: the pizza bread was succulent, and the winter cabbage chips with the duck were delicious. The hotel is in a great location. I'm not sure whether they offer train station shuttles, but it would be useful.

Our room had very dry air, which sometimes made sleeping difficult. Apart from that, we really enjoyed our stay in this beautifully renovated, comfortable hotel. Half-board was fantastic, with truly delicious food. We were traveling with a child and appreciated the little things for kids, like toys at a small table during dinner, a nice playroom, and a cinema room. It's not a typical kids' hotel, though: the children's facilities were separate, so I'm sure guests without kids weren't bothered. We also had lots of fun in the spa pool.

We've been coming to Arosa for Christmas and New Year for 15 years, so we know the local hotels fairly well. Faern Arosa Altein has excellent infrastructure and a central location near the ski lifts, shops, and transport. The covered garage is handy. Finn at check-in was welcoming and efficient, our fifth-floor room had a stunning view, and housekeeping kept it spotless. The wine list was good, and the wellness area well designed. But overall, the hotel lacks clear leadership and culinary refinement for a four-star stay, and we're less likely to return than to other Arosa hotels. We only ate at Zus Brasserie, not Alpensand. The dining room felt sterile and was poorly lit, and the food was inconsistent. The venison was well cooked and balanced. The tartare had a good texture, but an indistinct sauce completely masked the meat's flavor. One goose starter was unrecognizable in shape and taste beneath too much celery purée, leaving us and neighboring diners confused. Another main was bland meat over cold potato salad, a poorly judged combination and temperature. Warm dishes came on cold plates. The young team seemed uncoordinated and uncoached, and even with the Chef's nice dressings, presentation varied around the table. Initiative seemed lacking. At breakfast, a coffee machine was out for 45 minutes, and only the General Manager's intervention got the backup machine running. Staff rarely said good morning or evening, or Merry Christmas, and there were no festive cards or chocolates in our room on arrival. The wellness area's no-phone rule also wasn't enforced: people took photos and selfies in both saunas and played loudspeakers in the relaxation room. The digital detox rule needs proper enforcement.

The food was unforgettable, and the Altein Team made us feel as good as possible on holiday. The hotel was tidy and beautifully kept, and the staff were friendly, open, and helpful. They even made the room a little too tidy for me, since I like having my own mess around! 🤣 See you soon, Altein Team!