Independent, Motel Hotel Review

Name:  Studio apartman also goes by the name Niko
Address:  Aleja Pomoraca 25, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia

Why did we book this place?  Well, it had a wonderful array of offerings, including  dog friendly, close to attractions, washing machine and so much more.  Additionally, the 9.7 star review average on booking.com is practically unheard of!

We arrived at 12:30 pm.  The address is an apartment building, so we phone the guy – and then the problems started.

He informed us he would be there in half an hour to an hour to let us in.  We told him that would be fine, we could go grab a bite to eat in the meantime.  Then he asked if we still wanted the place to which we replied of course, we would go for lunch and return. He said ok and then questioned us a second time if we wanted the apartment. Nervously, we asked why. He said the hot water did not work, so we would only be able to have cold showers.

After a quick discussion between ourselves, we suggested a discount was in order and then we would still stay. He refused. So we told him no thank you and he instructed us to contact booking.com to get our money back.

Booking informed us that he had indeed contacted them and was requesting (demanding?) 50% of the booking cost!  We proceeded to explain to them why it was completely unfair and incorrect.  They graciously agreed to cover the difference and give us a full refund.  I do not believe this to be fair or correct, but it was certainly very courteous of them.

Now, when we were ready to settle in, eat lunch and do some sightseeing, instead had to start figuring out where we would stay.  Due to the time of year and short notice, we were unable to stay in Zagreb.  It was a huge disappointment, but an excuse to return!

Would I recommend staying at Aleja Pomoraca 25, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia?  No, based on our experience, no.  That being said, it seems like we are the only ones who had such a horrible experience and maybe it is almost perfect?!

How much would it have cost for 1 night? €40

We have possibly spoke with the one and only asshole in Zagreb when we tried to check in to our pre-booked apartment - thank goodness we met so many nice people.

Guest Apartment Hotel Leander Haz 21 in Keszthely, Hungary; independent motel review.

First Impression:  Beautiful, quaint, charming – clean and extremely well kept.   Bonus:  Dog Friendly!
Find out more about our experience in the area: Lake Balaton, Keszthely, Hungary.
Check In:  was uncomfortable and unfriendly
The lady who checked us in spoke absolutely No English or German, although the sign on the gate stated that “FLUENT” english is spoken.

The fully furnished bachelor style apartment is spacious enough for two people.  Our area was on the ground floor.

Accommodation:  Walk into a living / sleeping area with a small table with 2 chairs, book / shelving stand, small tv on a stand, wardrobe, big bed, 2 bed tables.

Through one door is the small kitchen with a small table with 2 chairs, stove, oven, small fridge, microwave, toaster, coffee machine, kettle, pots, pans, dishes, glasses, flatware, dish detergent, one tea towel, one sponge and a garbage can.

Through the other door is the bathroom with toilet, sink, shower and 2 bath towels. There is liquid hand soap and many shampoos. Not sure if these are included in the stay or left behind by previous guests, so perhaps not in every accommodation, nice touch in any case.  There was also a hair dryer and a bucket with mop.

Outside is a beautiful garden with flowers, fruit trees, grass, sitting areas (too bad they do not make the smokers go there) and a huge vegetable garden in another area.  The woman who checked us in is constantly working in the gardens.  There are seating / relax areas in the inner garden as well as tables along the guest apartment fronts.

Our Experience:
– Dripping shower; solution: lay it on the floor
– No fan or air conditioning.  The heat is drastic and in combination with mosquitos and other guests intruding on privasphere, there should definitely at least be fans.
– Lots of mosquitos at night – must close the window. No fan or air conditioning so very hot.  Our only relief was to open the window after turning out all the lights and electronic devices.
– Woke up in the morning to people sitting at the table directly outside our window, smoking and yakking. The table is right outside our window – look at the picture of the bedroom – it means they may as well have been sitting in our room! We get up, put some clothes on (who knows how long they have been getting a free show), and close the window. Hot again!
– The woman is a total bitch.  Really, I do not understand why she is in this business…
– Need a car to go everywhere

Would I stay here again? NO
It is really unfortunate, because the place is gorgeous, clean and for the most part relaxing.  However, the above mentioned problems combined with a thankless, rude manager / owner? is an absolute reason to not go back and not recommend it to anyone else.

Located just 2 km from downtown Bratislava, dog friendly Penzion Vilo was our booking choice when visiting the capital of Slovakia.  Here is my review.

Name: Penzion Vilo
Our Cost: €86.80 for 2 nights – €43.40 per night Note: Prices are slightly cheaper if you book directly with the house
Booked via:  Booking.com (not an affiliate)

Read about Bratislava, Slovakia – Dog Friendly European Road Trip

First impressions:  The accommodations are very simple, a bright room with two big windows and a ceiling fan, very friendly, full use of kitchen, internet, very small in suite bathroom with toilet, sink and shower, patio with ping pong. It seems the place is owned/managed by a father son team who are both friendly, although only the son speaks some english.

There is a secure parking area where we were instructed to park the car, which of course is a huge advantage, especially due to the narrow, steep street.  The disadvantage is the limited spaces; as more people arrived with vehicles, they were all parked side by side, making it impossible to get out again unless you found the car owner.

The bathroom was very clean.  A firm, hard bed (we like that, but it is a negative if you don’t) with fresh bedding was the focal point.  The main necessities were achieved.

Negatives:
– Dated furnishings
– Dirty – kitchen and floors
– Overall, not as clean as I like it / could be
– Extremely noisy – very loud until 11:30 pm, again at 2:15 am (guests coming back) and then the owners wake up at 6:30 am and start making tremendous noise

It advertises with being in the city center, but it is a 10 minute steep downhill walk to get there, which makes it a steep nightmare uphill walk ? to get back.
The normally good for a city cost of €40 per Night is, imo, too expensive.
Note:  In fairness, the kitchen was cleaned, including floors, when we came back the second day

?Unfortunately, I can not recommend this place, except maybe for people who party and crash?.

Dog Friendly Austria Trend Hotel Bosei – Hotel Review

2 Adults, 1 Dog – European Road Trip!

We arrived at our hotel Hotel Bosei (Austria Trend) at 5:45 pm on a weekday, summer afternoon.  Read about our Vienna experience.

Cost:  €48 per night + €12 / night for the dog ?
Booked:  Booking.com

First Impressions:  Very nice hotel deserving its online 80% satisfaction average across platforms. Efficient and helpful staff, large rooms with everything you need earn the rating including FREE parking!

Room outfitted with:
– Water kettle
– Refrigerator
– Large Desk
– Table and chairs
– Large comfy bed
– Two night tables
– Television
– Luggage rack (large enough for 2 big suitcases!)
– Wardrobe
– Jacket and shoe area at entrance
– Lots of lighting / lamps

Bathroom with all amenities including shaving and dental kit, soaps, creams , blow dryer, mirrors, tub with shower

Postitives:
– Bus stop right in front of the hotel
– Located on a golf course
– in hotel: 2 restaurant and one bar

Negatives:
– crappy tv (we don’t care, as we do not have time to turn it on!)
– Slightly dated / showing wear and tear (paint chips, scuffed suitcase area)
– Shower is too small and uncomfortable (for my 180 cm / 6′ tall husband; he had to crouch to get under shower head for hands free shower and it was too narrow
– no restaurants or entertainment in walking distance

Would I recommend it?  Definitely, the price is amazing for Vienna!