SteveStefanopoulos
June 17, 2024
As mentioned by others, you will need to check in at the nearby (across the road) Hotel Emma. I was early for my check-in, and when I arrived at Hotel Emma, the older gentleman behind the counter, had started to walk away from me, even though he saw me walk in! He gave me the most unpleasant look, as if I had rudly interrupted his day. He was most unpleasant and very dismissive, even though I acknowledge that I was very early for check-in. I politely asked if it was possible to check in early. But I was gruffly informed that check-in is at 2pm. I asked if I could leave my bags, and I was told, yes, that is possible. As I was about to walk out and explore the city, I said thank you and asked for his name. His response was, "None of your business." I then told him my name, in the hope of soliciting a more appropriate response, to which he then "Ziggy Star Dust", to which I said "Oh!" He then told me his name - Mario. All of this initial encounter was very unpleasant, rude, and unnecessary. After my exploration of the city, and after my return to Hotel Emma well after 2pm, I was greeted by another more responsive gentleman who was most helpful. By that stage, Mario, who was nearby, had changed his tune and was jolly. But sadly, that was too late for first impressions! The room I had faced the rear courtyard and was light and bright and very clean. The bathroom had a strange sewer smell the entire time I stayed in the hotel. I was on the "ground floor," which is up 7 or 10 steps off the street. The bed and linen were most comfortable and plentiful. The mirror in the bathroom and main room were hung too high. I am not a short guy, but any short people would struggle to see themselves in the mirror. The room I had, had the hand-held shower nozzle removed for some unknown reason, and I only had the rain head shower. I was unable to turn off the light in the mirror in the bathroom, which if you want darkness at night, you'd need to close the door into the bedroom. There are no sheer curtains or blinds, only the block-out drapes on the windows. Be aware that everyone outside can see right into your room. So, there is a lack of privacy. The communal kitchen area was a pleasant surprise, but there were not enough mugs to make tea/coffee and there were only specialist teas available, nothing plain and simple like an English Breakfast, which was unfortunate.