Halle Apartments

I really like 'classic' hotels: sweeping staircases, uniquely shaped rooms, vintage furniture, slightly creaky hallways etc. Dormero fits the bill. but.... Hospitality is key. I arrived at the hotel at 23:06. I was told I had no reservation. After insisting, I was told that my reservation was cancelled because I was too late, the desk closes at 23.00, and why did I not know that. I tried digging into my high school German to apologise, but was then confronted with the fact that I may not refer to the desk clerk as 'Du', but should use 'Sie' (I remember this, I should have used 'you' (Sie)) instead of 'you' (Du) as a matter of politeness). Then she complained I had a 'foreign' phone number so she couldn't contact me to check if I was coming (I am a global traveller, but have a phone from a neighbouring EU country. SMS/whatsapp/phone calls all work.) Anyway, it took at least 15 minutes for the clerk to 'retrieve' my reservation and get me the key. some background about my role in this. I looked up the hotel on the largest hotel website, but booked on the hotel's own site. Why give more money to the platform. So, you think the hotel would value my consideration. I received the email confirmation and just checked quickly that the date was correct. I was planning to check in to the hotel before my business dinner at 19.00, but my train arrived an hour late, so I had to run to dinner. This stuff happens, and you hope that accommodations can accommodate this. I have come across hotels with early desk closing. They always mail or text separately that this is the case, and then describe how to enter hotel of pick up key after hours (ever heard of a key-code entry system?). Anyway, next trip I may book the corporate box hotel and skip the quaint. A pity.

A very beautiful and quiet hotel near the main station. The city centre is great to reach and with the tram that also drives nearby, you can very well explore the city. The rooms were very clean and beautifully furnished. The staff, whether at the reception, in the restaurant or in the housekeeping, were very friendly. Breakfast buffet is very rich and the dinner in the restaurant has tasted us very well.

We found ourselves stuck in Halle due to a train malfunction and quickly booked the ibis as we had two small kids in tow. It was a very easy, less than 10 minute walk to the train station. The front staff checked us in quickly and even gave the kids a free ice cream which put them in much better moods (sincere thanks for that small act of kindness on behalf of two very tired parents). The room was large which allowed for plenty of space to rest and relax. There wasn't much to do near the hotel, but we ordered in a delicious Greek meal and were thankful for the comfortable stay until we continued our travels the next day. Thank you for being a respite to weary travelers!