Hotel Astoria

I arrived after 11 p.m. and there was nobody at reception, but I’d been sent an entry code, so getting in was fine. My room was quiet and had the basics, and I enjoyed the very good breakfast. I had a nice stay.

The rooms are roomy, and there’s a kettle for hot water. The buffet breakfast was one of the best spreads I’ve had, and the staff were friendly too. I had a great time, though it’s a little odd to find locked cupboards inside the rooms.

The room’s internet didn’t work on my first day, so I had no connection. They moved me to another room on day two. Reception also closes after noon, the entry code is confusing, and leaving luggage for storage was a real problem. I stayed two days and first tried to book through booking, but the payment wouldn’t go through. I then booked directly on the hotel website, without realizing that breakfast wasn’t included. The price on booking was lower and included breakfast, though I know the hotel pays booking a commission. When I went down for breakfast and was told it wasn’t part of my rate, I discussed it with the manager and thought I wouldn’t be charged. Now a bill for two breakfasts has arrived in my email.

After an evening walk, my child and I couldn’t get into the hotel for more than two hours because the entry code failed. Reception was closed, and there was nowhere to sit or any staff around. The two phone numbers posted there were no help: one was switched off, and the other reached an employee at another hotel who knew nothing and didn’t try to help. Eventually, late that evening, after two hours of talking and persuading that employee, I got the number of a security officer, who finally let us into our room. It was a terrible ordeal. Neither hotel staff nor management apologized for leaving us stranded, tired, and unable to enter because of a system error or serious staff negligence. We stayed two nights and regretted it. I’d prepaid through Booking.com, but when my travel dates changed, staff demanded more payment, saying they couldn’t change my original booking. I wouldn’t recommend this hotel, with its irresponsible management.