Retterath Vacations from $1,528

I was very happy to find this boutique hotel within shouting distance of the Messe. For many years I stayed at the Marriott but wanted a change. It is a charming, quiet and comfortable hotel. The staff are particularly good natured and helpful. I hope no one reads this review so the rates don’t go up too much for next year. Be aware though it’s not fancy or upscale so if that is what you are after it may not be the right fit for you.

The staff were good and the room was reasonably clean, but the hotel is outdated. The shower setup inside the room felt makeshift, and the beds were very uncomfortable. They need to invest in better mattresses. The advertised four-star rating did not match my experience. To me, it felt closer to a two- or three-star hotel. The location is directly opposite the train station. During my stay, I saw many homeless people just outside the hotel. Parking is very limited and costs €20 per day. Overall, it was not worth the price, and I would not stay again.

The staff, location, and amenities that we expected were all good. The food was just okay. Besides that, the quality of the room was very bad. Not enough hangers for two people on a four day work trip, no air conditioning, a fan to cool down that was incredibly noisy, and a shower where there was no proper place to hang the shower head. We had to keep the window open all night. The room rate we paid was not at all worth the quality of the room. I am sure the hotel raised their standard rates with the Automechanika convention in town.