Hotel Luise

The check-in experience was a disaster. The receptionist was actually the maid and could only speak farsi (persian). The credit card reader wasn't working, and she demanded I pay cash, pointing to a lot of cash in my wallet. I recalled other complaints on the reviews that when people paid cash, they were double charged (under the guarantee card number). After 30 minutes, the receptionist returned from her break. She got the card reader to work, and i paid with a credit card. She then explained that sometimes, when a customer pays cash, the back office charges the credit card when the cash payment isn't properly booked. But she assured me that if a customer complains about it, they return the money. If nobody complains, they keep the money! I was in room 44. Not accessible by elevator. There was no wifi (reception didn't reach the end of the hall), and there was no heat. There was an airpocket in the radiator. There are other hotels in essen for just a few euros more. I suggest you take one of those.

Price a little above expected. Excellent location, nice staff, didn't make problems about my late arrival. Bedrooms are very clean, but quite simple. No sound insulation so you hear the noisy neighbours' music and chat. Good for a night or two