Skol

Faulty Towers came to mind. We’d arranged online for a 14:00 check-in instead of the usual 15:00, but apparently the staff hadn’t been told, so we spent about an hour waiting in the bar. Then, less than an hour after reaching Room 7, the bathroom flooded while we were showering. Water poured into the bedroom and through the ceiling into the bar and reception below. The room lights didn’t work either, and the owner or manager had no replacement bulbs, so we had to find our way around at night by the light of the TV. There was nobody around at checkout the next morning to discuss any of it. Hopefully the staff weren’t hurt in the blackout or swept away by the overnight flood. The small room did have a kitchenette with a two-ring stove, fridge, Nespresso machine, and balcony. There’s a bus stop nearby with a direct route into the heart of the city. Parking is secure and free. We had a motorhome and, if nothing else, could have resorted to staying in it if the roof had caved in. What a pity. We just wanted something different, and some might say we certainly got that.

We liked the room and the hotel, though it’s not a conventional hotel. It was gorgeous and clean, and we got in using the key safes. We stayed one night at Skol L'Original while exploring Luxembourg. Free parking was a real plus, as was the free public transport, which gets you to the city center in about 15 minutes. We knew there was a bar underneath and music played until 1 a.m. Earplugs were provided, and we hardly noticed it while watching TV late. The shower had excellent pressure and temperature, and the heating and air conditioning system was a big plus. We’d stay again and recommend it. That said, the bed in Room 10 was very uncomfortable, dipped in the middle, and gave us a poor night’s sleep. The mattress needs replacing, and the pillow we had was very thin, so extra pillows would help. The music didn’t bother us, but I can see how it might annoy other guests. We also checked out the bar, but the drinks were too expensive for our budget.

The room was unbearably hot because the air conditioning didn’t work, around +7394 Celsius, and the sound insulation was awful. We could hear people snoring two rooms away, and noise from drunk people outside the bar kept us up. The bar stays open until 1 a.m., and we had to leave for another hotel at 2 a.m. because we couldn’t sleep. It costs as much as the Hilton, which is on a different level. The manager is rarely there, and reception is unattended after a certain hour. When we came to complain at checkout, we had to talk to the bar manager instead of the hotel manager, who was only available by phone. The manager said we could have cancelled for free the day before, but we couldn’t have known how bad it would be until we arrived. Please don’t waste your money here. It was an absolute disaster.

I was here for one night on a business trip, with an important meeting the next day, but the loud music and noise from the bar right below my room kept me awake. At check-in, nobody gave me information about breakfast times or where breakfast was served, or about the WiFi. They didn’t ask if I needed help with my luggage either. I wouldn’t recommend it.