Artis

The place is inexpensive, calm and convenient, and easy to reach by car. We rented a couple of standard rooms for four days over Easter week, and would probably stay at the Artis hotel again. The staff were service-minded but pleasantly down to earth, and all our rooms had proper kitchen facilities, handy with several small supermarkets nearby. At first we were a little doubtful. Internet access was pretty steep, as it often is in Germany, one room was a long way down the corridors in the large building, and you need your key to open the corridor doors. Breakfast was alright, though the selection wasn’t especially exciting. The area is fairly average and semi-industrial, but quiet despite the railway nearby. There’s a fitness center (gym) at the far end of the building, with a large parking platform alongside that seemed safe enough. Tram 1 or 2 from Schäfer Strasse, the parallel street, makes getting to and from the hotel easy. For a visit, get a 2-day rail/tram/bus card for tourists at the Tourist Office in the Kulturpalast. It covers most museums in the inner city, so it pays off, and most trams run all night even though the city is small. Pick up a tram map and enjoy this diverse little city. Walk north from Albertplatz for the colourful Neustadt, or head to Postplatz and Prager Strasse for shopping in the posh inner city, which looks like any other modern city. Zwinger and the Grüne Gewölbe museum, with its art, arms and jewellery, are fascinating, though maybe decadent depending on your taste.

Dear friends, I want to warn you about the receptionist, ANJA ZESCH. After I asked her for booking confirmation, she showed what I felt was a very rude and unhelpful attitude. When I pointed out her rudeness, she became furious and cancelled my booking on behalf of their “General Manager Andrea Metzel,” in the worst manner. I’m upset and disappointed by what I thought would be European service, especially in Germany. I think people like ANJA ZESCH should leave their jobs in European service. Thank you in advance for your help.

Good.