Excelsior Palace

Nothing to add.

The staff were so helpful and kind, and I enjoyed every dish I tried. The restaurant keeps things simple, but the food is well prepared, and the chef makes excellent desserts too. My room was roomy, clean, had a mountain view, and came with everything I needed. The bathroom was well equipped as well. I also tried the small wellness center, which felt welcoming and worked well. I was there in April and found the hotel comfortably pleasant. Breakfast was fine, though not especially plentiful, so that's why I'm not giving five stars. I'd stay here again when I return to that lovely place.

The breakfast was generous, with plenty of sweet and savory options, and everything we saw was very clean. Staff were extremely kind and helpful. Dinner could be better, though I understand that a hotel that only operates now and then may not be able to serve gourmet food. The spa was enjoyable, but the hot tub felt a little small. There are lovely traces of the building's former grandeur, especially in the ground-floor lounges. Our room had a pleasant retro look, and the bathroom seemed to date from when the building was first constructed. It had some damp marks on the ceiling, but also a certain vintage charm. The original windows and doors could use a major update, and they bring all the related issues with the indoor climate. Even so, staying here feels like a pleasant step back in time.

The room was clean, and the spa staff, Maria and Luna, were professional. Sufien was friendly and smiling in the dining room, and Sara at reception was kind and courteous. Those were the good parts of an otherwise forgettable stay. The room had just one Schuko outlet, at least the one I stayed in, so in summer you apparently have to choose between running the fridge and watching TV. I couldn't tell whether to call this a 3- or 4-star hotel, but I expected better service. Breakfast was mostly a small buffet: two kinds of cold cuts, one cheese, a few cakes, yogurt, and a few croissants with a questionable taste. Hot drinks came from a vending machine, except the barley coffee wouldn't dispense, so the waiter brought it when asked. The tables were set with paper napkins and teaspoons. Dinner was a nightmare for both the wait and the service. I love pizzoccheri, but what I got was dry and baked, with cold cheese in blocks. The buffet vegetables weren't there as side dishes, and everything was cold or lukewarm. The small spa also felt neglected: there were no hooks for bathrobes by the sauna, the shower was missing its sliding door, the Turkish bath smelled awful, and about a third of the whirlpool jets didn't work. The advertising and photos had drawn me in, but the real experience was very different.