What People are saying

Great rip off and disappointment

ozarkgal0829on 26/06/2017 20:59

We stayed June 13th prior to a river cruise. The total cost for one night was $ 376.00 and I don't know where the room shown in Tripadvisor is, but we certainly didn't stay there. We were to have two single beds, two women traveling together. The configuration was weird, actually two separate rooms, adjoining, one with a shower, one without. The check in was OK, the receptionist doing so allowed us to leave our luggage as we arrived early. The only thing you could say about the room is that it was clean. There were no amenities (shampoo, conditioner) and, most importantly NO AIRCONDITIONING and Basel was having very hot weather. A single window in the room allowed no air flow. Although it was a nonsmoking property, people smoked right under our window. Most European hotels include breakfast. I should have asked if it was included, so my mistake. Whopping charge for breakfast. The amount I paid was exorbitant but there was an art show going on at the time and so prices were triple what they are now. I expected more for $ 376.00. Would not recommend the property.

3 star doesn't always mean 3 star

Elleelaineon 04/06/2017 13:47

I know from experience that hotel star ratings in UK and Europe quite often do not mean the same thing but the Hotel Balegra classed as a 3 star hotel wasn't much more than a high end hostel. Now I know I have probably watched too many hotel inspector but compared to other 3 star hotels we have stayed in abroad this hotel was pretty dismal to say the least in terms of staffing, character and services. My husband and I had booked a double standard room with breakfast for 5 nights. The lift was one of the smallest I have ever seen. We just had backpacks so that wasn't so much of a deal but we just got the two of us in with bags. When we arrived at our room it had twin beds (we had booked double) there was a luke warm bottle of fizzy water and 2 glasses there was no kettle/ tea/coffee facilities and no cooler cupboard. Considering the temperature was at it lowest 22 degrees and highest 35 degrees and that was May with no air conditioning I dread to think what the rooms would be like in height of summer. The beds were the most uncomfortable I have ever slept in on holiday the mattresses had no support the beds were tiny - certainly not a standard single bed. Pillows were cushions there were no mattress covers on mattresses and curtains were torn. We spoke to hotel about our room and was informed their contract with booking agent meant that if they had no double room they gave you a twin room. We did get moved to a double room the last 2 nights but the bed was just as uncomfortable. The housekeeping consisted of flattening duvet and pillow no sheets ever changed. The bathroom was badly laid out with the hand towels right beside the toilet seat not practical or hygienic. There was no cold running water it was permanently luke warm.
Breakfast was no better. We were not told what was available but it transpired if you wanted anything hot you had to be down before 8.30 - how you can run out of toast I have no idea! The bread/croissants were not fresh each day - our first day and 3rd day they seemed to be but they wern't the other days. None of the food was in a cool place and given the heat everything was slightly warm. The cheese wasn't pre sliced which meant each guest had to touch the blocks to cut a of cheese - pitiful 2 or 3 tomatoes and slices of cucumber where sitting on same plate as ham. The milk was full cream there was no other choice. There was no decaffeinated coffee or plain tea. On our last 2 days we saw several flies in the food. All in all our stay at this hotel was probably the worst experience we have had so far in any hotel. We have previously stayed in both 3 and 4 star hotels and even the 3 star had basic amenities. We will definitely be staying in 4 star as a minimum from now on.

Reasonably priced , clean, but beware traffic noise

john con 10/06/2015 11:46

For the price we paid, this is a good deal. Unfortunately, there is a set of traffic lights outside the hotel, so the traffic noise can be quite bad as trucks start and stop. If you can keep the windows closed, it is fine, but with no A/C , I really need an open window!

pleasant stay

Raphael Gon 05/09/2014 13:52

A small hotel with brand new rooms and bath. Clean and pleasant with a n excelent breakfast and friendly service. close to public transportation. A free transportation pass on the public trams is included with the room.

Nice and quiet

Krstinon 06/07/2014 21:42

The hotel is about ten minutes by tram away from the Basel SSB station, which I feared would be a bit problematic. However, this is Switzerland, where the public transport system is so good that the location of the hotel was more an advantage than a disadvantage (not to forget, you get free public transport included in your stay)! It is situated in a very quiet neighbourhood. The breakfast is more or less what to expect from a hotel of this type -- ok, but not luxurious in any way. The only thing we found a bit disappointing was the opening hours of the reception. We knew beforehand that it wouldn't be open all night, which is fine, but sometimes it would just close one hour or even before before schedule.