ACHAT Hotel Magdeburg

Breakfast was the best part: plenty of choice, and the breakfast staff were excellent. There’s also cold still and sparkling water from a filter at reception, which helped since the room had no refrigerator. The rest was disappointing. Check-in service was poor, and the receptionist wasn’t friendly or attentive. There was some internal issue with the website payment, but she didn’t explain why it was delayed. The pool was painfully cold, nothing like the lovely photo online, and the hot tub was cold and dirty too. We were two couples, one with a small child, and were pleased to get rooms next to each other. But our room had two single beds instead of a double, and when we moved one, we found a lot of dirt and someone else’s sock. The cleaning service felt ineffective. The pool area was depressing, so we went back upstairs in our swimsuits without using it. Our daughter was sad she couldn’t play in the water. I wouldn’t recommend this hotel to families with children hoping to use the amenities. I don’t know how it’s classified as 4-star.

The rude receptionist with glasses was the last straw. We’re here on business, so I had no choice, but if you do, avoid this place. It’s a few km from the city centre. Despite sleeping well, the hotel felt very outdated. I’ve seen better 2-star hotels, and this one calls itself 4-star. There’s no minibar or safe, no soap provided, and you have to go into the shower to get shower gel. There’s also nothing to hang outside the room to request service. The pool area was okay, but the gym was tiny. Breakfast was fine, but even though we’d paid, nobody asked for a voucher or room number. That was a first for me anywhere, and just seemed crazy. If you want to know what the general manager/owner thinks of customers, look at my tripadvisor review in Tripadvisor. The response was pathetic and so uncustomer focused. I meant everything in my original response. Even 2 star hotels in Berlin are better than this hotel.

The breakfast was fine and delicious, and the retro room was acceptable for one night. Street parking, just 10 meters from the entrance, is free, while the hotel parking costs 15 euros per night. The wellness area was the main problem. The pool was ice cold, and when families complained, the answer was just, “Yeah, we know it’s very cold.” Nobody was using it. The website lists a steam bath and jacuzzi, but neither worked, so perhaps they shouldn’t advertise them. We won’t return until the wellness area is fixed. There’s a lot of potential here, but it’s sad to see the place going downhill. We stayed one night between the holidays this year and last year. The hotel barely deserves 3 stars, let alone 4. Check-in was uncomfortable: there was a system breakdown and we waited about an hour, and no one at reception spoke English or even tried. 😅

The check-in was the reason I won’t stay here again or recommend it. I’d booked a 3-person room, although I was travelling alone, and got a good rate. We arrived early and I was offered a 1-person room, but I declined. The staff member said I’d have to wait until 3pm and didn’t seem happy about it. At 3.30pm, there was a long queue because of confusion at reception: a MAN had been checked into my room. I said I was alone, but they apparently don’t check ID. The second receptionist kept pushing me to take a single room instead of the one I’d booked. She only relented after I explained my medical reason. It felt very unprofessional and unethical to push customers into rooms they didn’t book or pay for. If someone has paid for a room, give them that or something better, not less. The hotel is cheaper than places in the city center, but this experience alone is enough for me. I should’ve read the reviews first. So many guests have complained, and the hotel’s responses show what it thinks of them. The staff badly need soft skills training. The room itself didn’t match my request either. I asked for a double bed and got 3 single beds, including one for a child. I’m sure there was a bed bug infestation or something: after lying down for an hour or so, I had a severe skin reaction and itchiness. There were no amenities besides towels and 2in1 body shower gel. I’d asked about this a month before check-in and the hotel never replied. The rooms aren’t soundproof; I was woken by stomping and running upstairs and could clearly hear a mother and daughter talking. It’s about 5km from the city centre, which is inconvenient if you rely on public transport. Buses stop at 11pm, so getting back after drinks with friends isn’t convenient. There is a bus stop within walking distance, but it’s better to pay extra euros for somewhere near the centre. This hotel makes sense only if you have a car.