SWITZERLAND HOTELS, PART 1, RIP-OFFS
Nov 6th, 2003 | 01:09 AM
#1
Original Poster
Joined: Jun 2003
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SWITZERLAND HOTELS, PART 1, RIP-OFFS
Just returned from my trip (note time on posting) and wanted to tell you about a couple of hotels to avoid.
First let me say that we usually stay in four star hotels in Switzerland and expect to pay about $200 a night. However, the following two hotels should be avoided for their no value and no space policy. I have previously stayed at both hotels. But with a little work on Expedia and some footwork when I got into town, I did much better.
RIP-OFF 1 - THE BASEL HILTON. The rooms are uniformly small, in fact the smallest I have ever been in among all the Hiltons where we have stayed. However my spouse was there to attend a meeting, and we had made arrangements several weeks earlier etc... What got us to walk out was when we arrived a day early (calling two days before our planned arrival date) and were told that for that one addional day breakfast was not included and we would have to pay CHF 60 for it. The remainder of the stay, breakfast was included. When I asked if we did not eat breakfast for that one day, could we save the CHF 60, I was told that was not an option.
AND, we have been Elite Hilton Honors for several years.
RIP-OFF 2 - ARABELLA NEUS SCHLOSS SHERATON in Zurich. We had stayed their on a few occasions even though the room was tiny (and I mean tiny)and didn't include breakfast. It's about a 10 minute walk from the center of town and verrry quiet (translated boring) on the weekends. We put up with paying about $225 a night with no breakfast on weekdays or weekends. (Even on Expedia there were no deals at this hotel. Calling them directly didn't do anything for us either.) I also assumed that since this was Zurich, there were no four star hotels that had reduced weekend rates and/or included breakfast. Wrong about both as you will see from my next posting: SWITZERLAND HOTELS, PART 2, GOOD VALUE.
If anyone has specific questions, please don't hesitate to write me directly: [email protected]
First let me say that we usually stay in four star hotels in Switzerland and expect to pay about $200 a night. However, the following two hotels should be avoided for their no value and no space policy. I have previously stayed at both hotels. But with a little work on Expedia and some footwork when I got into town, I did much better.
RIP-OFF 1 - THE BASEL HILTON. The rooms are uniformly small, in fact the smallest I have ever been in among all the Hiltons where we have stayed. However my spouse was there to attend a meeting, and we had made arrangements several weeks earlier etc... What got us to walk out was when we arrived a day early (calling two days before our planned arrival date) and were told that for that one addional day breakfast was not included and we would have to pay CHF 60 for it. The remainder of the stay, breakfast was included. When I asked if we did not eat breakfast for that one day, could we save the CHF 60, I was told that was not an option.
AND, we have been Elite Hilton Honors for several years.
RIP-OFF 2 - ARABELLA NEUS SCHLOSS SHERATON in Zurich. We had stayed their on a few occasions even though the room was tiny (and I mean tiny)and didn't include breakfast. It's about a 10 minute walk from the center of town and verrry quiet (translated boring) on the weekends. We put up with paying about $225 a night with no breakfast on weekdays or weekends. (Even on Expedia there were no deals at this hotel. Calling them directly didn't do anything for us either.) I also assumed that since this was Zurich, there were no four star hotels that had reduced weekend rates and/or included breakfast. Wrong about both as you will see from my next posting: SWITZERLAND HOTELS, PART 2, GOOD VALUE.
If anyone has specific questions, please don't hesitate to write me directly: [email protected]
Nov 6th, 2003 | 01:36 AM
#2
Joined: Jan 2003
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Hi Risha,
Sorry about your bad experience with the Hilton! I have always thought it to be overpriced. I usually stay at the Hotel Basel, which is a very nice business class hotel off the Marktplatz and often has excellent rates. If you have future plans for Basel, check that hotel out. It's very easy to get to the Hilton from the Hotel Basel by tram (takes about 5 minutes and the trams run frequently, plus the hotel gives you a card that lets you ride them free). The service at the Hotel Basel has always been very nice, as well.
Sorry about your bad experience with the Hilton! I have always thought it to be overpriced. I usually stay at the Hotel Basel, which is a very nice business class hotel off the Marktplatz and often has excellent rates. If you have future plans for Basel, check that hotel out. It's very easy to get to the Hilton from the Hotel Basel by tram (takes about 5 minutes and the trams run frequently, plus the hotel gives you a card that lets you ride them free). The service at the Hotel Basel has always been very nice, as well.
Nov 6th, 2003 | 04:04 AM
#3
Joined: Jan 2003
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Interesting that last year while researching for Basel Hotels here, I was steered away from the Hilton also, which I had mentioned because it would be convenient for short stay (two nights). But someone here (sorry I'm so bad with names) who I believe lives in Basel suggested the Hotel au Violon, which is part of a very old complex including an old prison. It also has a fine restaurant which unfortunately was closed for vacation while we were there. But it was a delightful hotel.
Nov 6th, 2003 | 07:30 AM
#5
Joined: Jun 2003
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I also just stayed at the Arabella Neus Schloss, and was very dissapointed, it was classified as a four star! We were quoted an amount for two rooms, but upon arrival found out that it was per room, and exhorbitant as well. I think that the hotel caters to a "banking" clientele, which on expense account can afford whatever they charge. I totally agree.
