LIHO Lübeck

The staff were the best part, so friendly that they made the whole visit feel pleasant. We also liked the peaceful, attractive lobby, with a play corner for children, and the sauna can be booked in advance at no charge. The hotel is close to both the station and the center. It’s now my go-to when I’m in town.

We made good use of the public rooms early in the morning while the rest of the family was still asleep. Breakfast was great, and it was quiet throughout. The location is just right, the room was lovely, and the staff were very kind.

I’d stay here again if I return to Lubeck. It’s good value compared with other places, and the staff are so nice. We chose a bottle of wine as the free gift offered for booking through the official site. There’s also a candy bar, an elevator, and complimentary tea, coffee and fruit in the shared area, with lots of nice coffee options. Our room was clean and just what I expected. The booking included plenty of extras, too: we had a private sauna for an hour with robes and towels, and you can borrow bikes or umbrellas for the day.

After our stay, I found the glowing reviews hard to understand. The room had obvious dusty and dirty spots, including the radiator where towels hang and a sticky, dirty hair dryer that didn’t even work. There’s no climate control, and the windows have no bug screens. You also have to leave your key at reception every time, so there’s no key card or independence with it. The service was unfriendly and felt self-righteous from the moment I arrived. I’d cleared bringing my bicycle over the phone because it was a main requirement for my stay, but nobody mentioned a special storage procedure. When I came in with my spotless bike, an older woman at reception said, “What do you think you’re doing with that bike?” There was no offer to show me the bike room or anything welcoming. At hotels costing five times as much, I’ve wheeled my bike into the lobby and been greeted with a smile and “right this way, sir.” The follow-up service wasn’t better. After a huge trip, we just wanted food and sleep, so we stayed. I’d gladly have paid a few euros more for a modern, properly cleaned hotel with happy staff.