This hotel should be one of the most beautiful in the city — the view is truly stunning. And yet, the overall experience borders on unacceptable.
During the busy Art Basel week, while we are paying $700 per night, there wasn’t even a staff member to welcome us — just a screen at the entrance. Naturally, the system didn’t work, so we had to call someone just to check in.
But how is it possible that, in 2025, a hotel in the south doesn’t have air conditioning? Just a sad little fan? The room was stiflingly hot — completely inappropriate for the season.
The furniture and decor seem stuck in the 1980s or 1990s. There’s been no attempt to update or refresh anything. Even a few simple museum posters could have brought a touch of charm or cultural relevance — but clearly, no effort was made.
The mini-fridge barely worked, which made things worse given the heat in the room. The hairdryer was useless — more of a relic than a functional appliance.
The breakfast area was dreadful — dirty, depressing, and entirely uninviting.
And at check-out? No proper luggage storage. Only six lockers for the entire hotel, while most guests had large suitcases. Completely inadequate.
Hotels in Basel seem to take their guests for granted, assuming that Art Basel alone is enough to justify high prices and poor service. But they’ve already lost the watch fair — if things continue like this, the art fair could be next.
