Holiday Inn - the niu, Ridge Halle Central Station by IHG

The location is practical: close to the central station and within walking distance of plenty of places to eat and buy groceries, though there aren’t nice views. Rooms are simple but clean and sensible, and the bathroom was quite nice. For this price range, I’d usually expect a little more space. The front desk is open around the clock, which is handy, but at my check-in around 8 pm only one desk was staffed, so I waited a while. The guest ahead of me had forgotten her card PIN. I’d have liked to be moved along rather than wait for her to remember it. Solid.

I left in the morning feeling awful, and by then I had no interest in eating breakfast there. The previous evening had been a nightmare. We checked in on September 15th. The receptionist ignored our questions and answered reluctantly. When we said we only needed one breakfast, she seemed surprised and insisted that two people staying meant we had to pay for two. She wouldn’t hear our explanation that one of us was leaving at 4 AM and wouldn’t be there for breakfast. We were charged for both anyway. She said the unused breakfast would be refunded in the morning after we asked for our money back, but no refund came.

The private parking was useful, and the place has a nice design. It’s very comfortable and close to the old town. I really enjoyed staying here.

The staff were really friendly, and breakfast was fresh. For a solo trip, this could be okay. I wouldn’t choose it for work travel or with acquaintances, unless you’re comfortable seeing colleagues’ butts. There’s no working desk in the room, and you have to buy your own water since there are no bottles or kettles. The shower has no door, only the toilet has a glass door. The walls are thin, too. From 6 am there was a low thudding sound from the station or tram stop outside, and I could hear my neighbours at night. The headboard couldn’t be moved away from the wall, so I had to get up and excuse myself until they were finished. When the neighbours came back, the TV’s Bluetooth would switch on and I could hear it from my room.