Best Western Hotel Jena

We slept really well in the comfortable rooms, especially in those great beds. The staff were very friendly and helpful, and there was a large parking area surrounded by greenery. The furnishings look a little dated, but it was a lovely stop for the night on a longer trip.

I had a good stay during a business trip and have no complaints. The rooms were clean, with a kitchenette, coffee maker, and TV, though the building itself is a little old. The reception staff were very helpful and friendly. A hotel card gives you free public transport, and the tram takes about 15 minutes to reach downtown. There is also a huge free parking lot outside, and the hotel has a sauna.

There was only one receptionist working when we checked in, and she was clearly overwhelmed. She didn't smile and wasn't friendly in the way she spoke. If there's a problem in your room, you may have to go downstairs and wait, since nobody can answer the phone while that person is helping guests at the desk. That doesn't feel like the service of a standard four-star hotel. The room looked clean at first, but closer inspection turned up a cracked bathtub, a broken door chain, a torn shower curtain, stains on the wall, and plenty of trash under the bed. The spring bed made it hard for me to sleep. It's not near the city center, though the hotel provides a free public transport ticket for your stay. The bus or tram stop is about a 15-minute walk away. This has been one of the less friendly and pleasant hotels we've stayed in, and I'd think twice before booking it again.

The room was clean and roomy, with a good double bed, a desk and chair, and enough space to hang and store clothes. The sink and mirror are in the room rather than the bathroom, which has a toilet and shower. The bed is firm and supportive, though, as in many hotels, the pillows are much too soft. The layout itself is an interesting feature, and the room key is the classic plastic plate with holes. Breakfast is a decent buffet with cereal, bread, scrambled eggs, bacon, and other substantial choices. There's a sauna, but no gym. The view isn't a major feature for this kind of business hotel, and it's fine. The surroundings have a typical former East German building style, while Jena is all about technology. Check-in staff were friendly and politely helped with registration. Parking is large and free. After checkout, they prepared the bill and wished us a good day.