Boutique 019 Essen City

Breakfast was good, a typical German spread with eggs, bread, muesli and things to go with them. I stayed here twice: the first room was clean and nice, but the second was a big letdown. There was dust and cobwebs all over, including the clothes shelves, headboard and lamps. Rooms and bathrooms are pretty compact, so space could be an issue if you're around 2m tall. I wouldn't recommend rooms starting with 4. They're in a different part of the building, and it doesn't seem like they get cleaned much.

The location is good, and the receptionist kindly lent me an umbrella. It's odd that the hotel doesn't have umbrellas to lend, given how often it rains in this city. The bathroom was very dirty, with mold in the shower and a damaged shower handle.

The breakfast was excellent, with plenty of choice, and the dining area was clean and well organized. The hotel is well placed for exploring the area, and the rooms felt clean and comfortable, with a warm, homelike feel. For the price, the quality is a great deal. Highly recommended.

It was handy for shopping, restaurants and the train station, though the hotel itself was average. The rooms were an average size, but the bathrooms were really tiny, making showers a struggle if you're tall or larger built. I didn't try breakfast. There are no elevators, so I was glad my room was on the ground floor.