Novum Hotel Alster Hamburg

The room wasn't ready for 3 oclock. Very loud with cleaning, couldn' have a nap after 3pm. No shower gel. The lady in reception was very rude

We came in from a long flight and journey; approximately two days,anrrived ant 10.40 pm, only to be greeted with, we have no reservation for you. Showed the booking, then to be told there are no more rooms, but you can walk two minutes to another partner hotel. Said to the clerk, that we just paid a taxi to arrive here, coupled with the fact that it was raining and it was our first time in Germany. He made a call and said a taxi would come soon, just wait outside to flag the taxi. Taxi arrives, but refuses to take all three of us, with our three pieces of luggage. Said one of you would have to walk; with luggage;only two minutes away and proceeded to give directions. No choice at this stage but comply as all you want to do at this stage is get to your destination. Upon arrival at the other hotel, issue again with the taxi driver about payment, which had to be settled by the hotel. Not a very warm welcome to Germany. Must say though that the clerk at the partner hotel was satisfactory. Gave the basic information about room number and breakfast. NOT ONCE DID ANY MEMBER OF HOTEL STAFF OFFER ANY TYPE OF APOLOGY Actually don’t see why I have to pay for this type of service.

I had a pretty good stay. The hotel is certainly dated - the carpet, foundation, walls and doors are old. It is quite clean despite how it looks. Bed was reasonably comfortable. Close to main train station, can be noisy at night.

Although close to the station and in walking distance from all must see places, there are some downsides. The room doors are paper thin and so the noise from the corridors is quite loud especially as lots of guests wake up and leave early.( no need for alarm clock) The breakfast room is quite small, so a bit hard to secure a seat especially if you travel alone as by the time you get a coffee someone else might have taken your chair. The food options are minimal, but enough to get you going in the morning. They could invest in a coffee machine as the filter one is way too weak.

If you are unlucky to stay on the top floor (5th floor), you will feel you live in the boiler because of no air conditioner and no fan in summer.