Welcome Hotel Gelsenkirchen

The breakfast was a real highlight, with pancakes, yogurts, fresh and dried fruit, nuts, cheese, eggs, bacon, breads, sweet croissants, fresh juices, and good coffee machines. We left feeling full and satisfied. The bed was comfortable and the AC worked well, too. The bathroom was spotless and well equipped, with a clean bathtub but no shower, a spacious sink area, extra storage with blankets and pillows, and an iron and ironing board. The minibar was basically a small fridge stocked with drinks, and there was a coffee maker, cups, and glasses. The flat-screen TV had Sky channels and even movies in English. The windows, though, were shockingly dirty. The grime and streaks were so bad that we could barely see outside, and they looked like they hadn't been cleaned in years. That really undermined the Superior room experience. I booked a Deluxe Room through a popular platform, and, as a frequent traveler with VIP status, was pleased to get a complimentary upgrade to a Superior Room. At first, however, the room they gave us was neither Deluxe nor Superior. After some back and forth, the staff seemed reluctant, but eventually gave us the promised Superior room. The room change left a bad first impression, and the reluctance to honor the booking felt deceitful. We also paid roughly €30 more per person per night through the booking platform than the hotel's own listed rates. The hotel charges €15 a day for private parking, while public parking right in front cost us only €1 for the whole weekend. The black lobby tried for a sophisticated look but came off more like low-budget gothic style. The cafeteria's darker interior worked much better and felt a little luxurious, especially with its striking wood-fired pizza oven. Unfortunately, the restaurant was closed during our stay, so we couldn't try the pizza. Even with the good breakfast, comfortable bed, and working AC, I was left feeling overcharged and undervalued, and the neglected windows were hard to get past. This was my first stay here, and probably my last. The pricing differences, the way staff handled the room issue, and the lack of window cleaning leave me doubtful about returning.