Hotel Helvetia

The breakfast was outstanding, and the staff were super friendly. The bathroom had been renovated nicely and was spacious, though cleanliness elsewhere could be better. The room itself was very basic for the price, with old, worn furniture. The mattress was extremely hard, which isn’t for me, though that’s personal taste. Thin doors and windows let in noise, and young guests who lack consideration stay here. We asked to have breakfast ten minutes early and to take two pastries with us, but were told neither was allowed. I understand there are rules, but breakfast was already ready when we left. A little flexibility might bring back well-behaved regular guests like us.

We all had three lovely, cuddly dogs with us. The whole stay went smoothly, including checkout, and breakfast was delicious, with both sweet and savory food and homemade options for people with celiac disease or lactose intolerance. After going out for a cocktail by the sea in Mima, the four of us decided to stay overnight and came across this hotel. We booked an economy room and were pleasantly surprised by the value. There wasn’t a shower, but it was still possible to wash without making a mess. The mattress was comfortable, and the man at check-in was very kind, helpful, and friendly.

The buffet breakfast is a strong point, as is being only a few steps from the sea. Papete Beach is very close, though, so lots of young people come through and nights can be noisy.

I don’t usually leave negative reviews, since I try to find something good wherever I go, but I’ve never had a night like this. In room 330 at the end of September, the air conditioning compressors for all the rooms on the floor made a deafening noise all night. The compressor was fixed to the wall, and the wall felt as thin as a sheet of paper. I couldn’t sleep. I tried making makeshift earplugs, but they barely helped. We checked in at 10 p.m., when reception was empty, so there was nobody to ask for a room change or help. I can’t understand how guests are put in that room, or how nobody has complained before. The hotel itself isn’t bad, though it’s a little dated and in a decent location. Breakfast was plentiful and varied, with homemade desserts. They really need to deal with the noise. If you stay here, avoid room 330.