Hotel Schlüssel

It’s a 480-year-old building in a great part of the city. There are four rooms on each of three floors, connected by a circular staircase, and no lobby. The room was very clean, though its style felt more like a dormitory. The bathroom was small, and the shower was reasonable. The building code doesn’t allow air conditioning, so summer rooms get warm. Opening the windows and using a fan helps a bit. There was no TV, though I don’t usually watch TV in European hotels. If location matters and you’re after a comfortable room when the weather is mild or cooler, it’s a good option.

The room was very clean and spacious, with two double beds that worked well for our family. The lack of air conditioning wasn't a problem; we opened the windows. The neighborhood was great, and it was a bit of a walk to the lake. The hotel and room were as advertised, and we were lucky the restaurant was closed, so we avoided the noise other guests mentioned. Self check-in was fine too. The confusing part was parking. When we asked about booking it through the hotel on arrival, we got a screenshot of a parking spot and explanations of different options. It would be much simpler for future guests to be told “Street Parking,” which is available very close by. I’d stay here again next time I visit the city. Wish there were a 4.5 rating option.

This felt like a room for rent, not a hotel, despite being priced like a full-service property. There was no staff in person, only by phone, and nowhere to store luggage safely while waiting to check in. There was no television either. The room felt warm and stuffy, and the only bedding was a heavy comforter. Two spots felt dangerous. When stepping out of the elevator, there’s a very steep staircase immediately on the right. The shower has only a glass partition, with a narrow opening and a step up. It was very slippery getting out, and there are no grab bars. There’s also no anti-scald device, so running the sink while someone showers makes the water extremely hot. A separate-floor fridge was stocked with free water and Coke products. Schlussel Rent-A-Room is a short walk from the train station.

The restaurant team helped me check in and were attentive. They recommended good food and drinks, and applied the dinner and drinks discount even though I’d forgotten the voucher in my room. The building may be old, but the inside is modern and clean. It’s also very central for exploring the old town and nearby sights.