Hotel Alex

My room was huge, almost suite-sized, but my parents were given an unbelievably tiny one. It only had room for a full or queen bed, and they couldn’t even open their luggage, so they had to move it into my room. Their room felt like a dorm. I don’t understand why our rooms were so different. One night my parents got locked out and called for help, but nobody answered. There was no one at reception, no staff anywhere. We spent an hour waiting in the lobby and repeatedly calling the receptionist. In the end, with nobody around, we called the police, who then contacted the hotel. I believe the owner eventually came over and let them back in. They should have someone at reception around the clock. What happens if a guest locks themselves out? I heard staff are only there from 9 or 10 in the morning until 11 at night.

For roughly $300, we got mediocre rooms in a stark, institutional-looking hotel with a closed spa, flies all over, and shabby buildings nearby. The location wasn’t good either. We paid about the same that week for much nicer, roomier places with more amenities in better parts of Geneva and Brig. The staff were friendly and breakfast was fairly nice, but otherwise the price felt far too high and the stay was disappointing.

The reception team were a real bright spot, friendly and helpful throughout. Breakfast on the seventh floor was decent, and sharing the hotel with long-term residents as well as tourists gave the place a slightly homey feel. There are two wings with different trade-offs. The older one has open balconies, which suit smokers or anyone wanting fresh air. The updated wing has newer rooms and amenities, but no balconies. The hotel sits in a secluded little suburb, and there’s very little nearby beyond a supermarket a short walk away. Check its limited opening hours before you go. Anyone hoping for malls or other entertainment within walking distance will be disappointed. It felt comfortable enough, but that isolation could be tough, especially if you’re travelling alone. With a group or your own transport, it may be worth considering.

The breakfast was a real concern: some of the cucumbers were moldy, and the food overall was below standard. We were also the only guests in the hotel, which made the stay feel eerie. Staff were unfriendly and unwelcoming, adding to an already bad experience. The room was called a suite, but its design was baffling and the colors were awful. There were no automatic blinds, so we had to adjust them by hand. The room itself was properly cleaned, but after using the bathtub, both my partner and I developed rashes despite having no known allergies. Could the cleaning products have been toxic? I can’t say, but it left us questioning the hygiene and safety. We were staying on a voucher, and even the arrival was unpleasant: there was a bad smell already in the elevator, and it seemed to linger throughout the hotel. Our room was uncomfortably cold, too. The whole visit was a string of discomforts, and I wouldn’t recommend Hotel Alex to anyone looking for an enjoyable stay.