Alpha by Fassbind

I ate at both the Italian and Thai restaurants inside Alpha Palmiers, and THIFANIE made each visit especially enjoyable. She was cheerful, friendly, and seemed to anticipate what I needed, while adapting easily to my requests. The whole staff were warm and attentive from beginning to end. Thanks to THIFANIE for making ordinary dinners feel like a treat. I’d happily come back and recommend the restaurants.

The staff were openly hostile when I spoke English. Even though it seemed clear they understood me, they acted as if they didn’t and aggressively insisted that I speak French. That felt deliberate and disrespectful, especially for a hotel that says it welcomes international guests. If you don’t speak French, I wouldn’t stay here.

The property is top class, and the hotel is huge but still has a cozy, home-away-from-home feel. It sits on a hill, and if you’re lucky enough to get a room in the inner ring, the sunrise and sunset views are phenomenal. The restaurant is small, with very few vegetarian choices, and the staff weren’t as helpful as Swiss hospitality had led me to expect.

I’d stayed here 4-5 times this year, but this last visit was unbelievable. The heating didn’t work, and the room was so cold I slept fully dressed in layers, like camping on a glacier. It was still too cold to shower, and I started feeling unwell. When I raised it, staff said there was nothing they could do. There was no portable heater or room change, and apparently no manager because it was “the weekend.” They also charge extra for dogs but didn’t provide even a bowl of water. At those prices, and with the 4-star label, I expected far better. Dear hotel, please update the room description to warn guests that heating may not work and they might need extra layers to avoid freezing and getting sick. If you want to risk becoming a human ice cube, book here. Otherwise, find somewhere that understands hospitality.