Lübeck's Hidden Gem: Hotel Excellent Awaits!
Lübeck's Hidden Gem: Hotel Excellent Awaits! - A Hyper-Honest (and Slightly Rambling) Review
Alright, folks, buckle up! Because I’m about to spill the (deliciously caffeinated) beans on the Hotel Excellent Awaits in Lübeck. Forget those sterile, cookie-cutter reviews; you're getting the raw, unfiltered truth, warts and all (hopefully, not literally). I'm talking real-world experiences, not just reciting a list of amenities.
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- Meta Description: Honest review of Hotel Excellent Awaits in Lübeck, Germany. Discover its accessibility, spa amenities, dining options, and overall vibe. Learn about the good, the not-so-good, and the downright hilarious moments of my stay!
First Impressions (and a Near-Disaster with the Suitcase)
Finding the place was a breeze (thank goodness for Google Maps, because my sense of direction is… well, let's just say GPS is my best friend). The exterior? Classic Lübeck charm, think red brick and maybe a hint of maritime history. Entering, the lobby was… nice. Okay, more than nice. It felt… airy. (A dramatic pause for effect). There wasn't the usual stale, heavy smell of old hotels; instead, a subtle, clean fragrance greeted me. They weren't slacking on the Air conditioning in public area, I could tell.
The check-in? Contactless check-in/out was a blessing after that chaotic train journey. Quick, efficient, and the staff were genuinely friendly. No eye-rolling, no hidden sighs when I fumbled for my ID. They even offered a Concierge service – a lifesaver given my limited German.
Accessibility - The True Test
Now, I'm not in a wheelchair, but I've seen my fair share of hotels promising ‘accessible,’ and then… well, let's just say it’s often a suggestion. Thankfully, Hotel Excellent Awaits actually delivered. Plenty of ramps, wide hallways, and a spacious Elevator - which, as a klutz who sometimes struggles with a suitcase, I really appreciated. The rooms themselves… perfect. Easy to move around in. No cramped spaces leaving me banging into furniture. The Facilities for disabled guests were clearly considered, a massive win.
The Room - My Fortress of Comfort (and Random Snack Consumption)
Okay, the room. Available in all rooms: Air conditioning? Check. Free Wi-Fi? Double-check! Free bottled water? Hallelujah! I mean, let's be real, a dehydrated reviewer is a grumpy reviewer. The Blackout curtains were a godsend after a long day of exploring. I may or may not have spent a delightful afternoon napping in the Extra long bed because it was so comfy! Also a Cup of Coffee/Tea maker meant I could get my fix without leaving the room. I found the Mirror handy, and a super nice light next to the Seating area.
The bathroom was also impressive. A Separate shower, Bathtub, and Toiletries were all a major plus. The Hair dryer was surprisingly decent. A Bathroom phone was available, but I hoped I wouldn’t ever use it. The Daily housekeeping were nice, I always enjoy returning to a clean space. They even left a few extra Towels! Bless them!
Dining, Drinking, and Possibly Over-Snacking
The Restaurants were a highlight. I'm not gonna lie, I indulged. Hard. They had an A la carte in restaurant setup, yes, but they also offered a Buffet in restaurant for breakfast. And what a breakfast! Asian breakfast and International cuisine in restaurant were represented, with every type of egg, pastry, and cured meat you could imagine. The Coffee/tea in restaurant was strong and plentiful. The Western breakfast was definitely a winner.
The Snacks and Bar. They provided the Bottle of water and I loved the Poolside bar. The Happy hour was a godsend after a day of sightseeing. I may have sampled a few of their Desserts in restaurant, too. The Snack bar was tempting.
Regarding the Hygiene Certification and Safe dining setup. Staff trained in safety protocol and the Sanitized kitchen and tableware items made me feel comfortable, even with the Physical distancing of at least 1 meter. My food arrived at my room using the Breakfast takeaway service.
Things to Do (Because Apparently, Relaxation Isn't All I Did)
Okay, okay, I did venture outside the room. The Spa was… chef's kiss. I'm a sucker for a good Massage. The Sauna was heavenly. They also had a Steamroom, a Gym/fitness, and a Swimming pool [outdoor, Pool with view] - which I fully intended to use, but… well, let's just say deadlines and delicious food conspired against me.
The Not-So-Perfect Bits (Because I'm Honest)
No place is perfect, right? Here are a few (minor) quibbles:
- The Internet access – LAN wasn't the easiest thing to find.
- The Car park [free of charge] sometimes filled up.
- Getting around was a little stressful, for me at least.
The Verdict - Would I Go Back?
Absolutely. Without a doubt. Hotel Excellent Awaits truly lived up to its name. It’s not just a place to sleep; it’s an experience. A comfortable, accessible, and surprisingly fun one. The staff were fantastic, the amenities were top-notch, and the location was perfect for exploring Lübeck. I’m already plotting my return. Consider this a highly enthusiastic recommendation.
P.S. – Don't skip the marzipan. Seriously. You'll regret it.
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Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because this isn’t your grandma’s travel itinerary. This is a chaotic, gloriously imperfect, and hopefully hilarious account of my (likely disastrous) trip to Lübeck, Germany, with a stay at the legendary (or so they say) Hotel Excellent. Expect a few existential crises, a lot of questionable food choices, and an overwhelming amount of me just feeling things.
LUBCK: A Trip in (Almost) Real-Time
Day 1: Arrival & Existential Dread (aka Pre-Trip Anxiety, Part Deux)
- 6:00 AM: Woke up. Panic attack. Did I pack enough socks? Did I remember to water the… wait, I don't have plants. (Progress!). Am I actually going to leave my couch? This is a terrible idea. Cancel everything! (Okay, deep breaths… gotta get moving).
- 8:00 AM: Finally, actually left the house. Uber driver gave me the side-eye when I tripped over my suitcase in the trunk. Glamorous.
- 11:00 AM: After a flight delay that involved a screaming baby and a man with a particularly pungent cologne, I finally landed in Hamburg. (Hamburg, not Lübeck, which is already a bad start. Geography, people. I'm the worst).
- 12:30 PM: Train to Lübeck. Found a seat next to a woman who’s knitting a sweater the size of a small car. She keeps giving me this look. Is it judgment? Pity? The secret ingredient to the perfect goulash? (I’m already thinking about food, clearly.)
- 2:00 PM: Arrived at Hotel Excellent. Whoa. It’s… grand. Maybe a touch too grand. Like, I'm pretty sure I saw a ghost in the lobby. A very judging ghost. Check-in was smooth…ish. I think the receptionist thought I was a bit…much. I mean, is it illegal to over-enthuse about the grand staircase?!
- 2:30 PM: Room exploration. It's beautiful, in the way of old world, lots of dark wood and heavy curtains. And…is that a disco ball in the bathroom?! (Okay, maybe I love this place). I immediately took approximately 67 photos, mostly of the disco ball.
- 3:00 PM: Attempted to de-stress with a "relaxing" walk around the hotel. Got lost. Badly. Ended up in the kitchen. Stared longingly at the pastries.
- 4:00 PM: Found my way back to the room. Decided to give the disco ball a whirl. Probably shouldn't have. Regret it.
- 6:00 PM: Dinner at the hotel restaurant (which, judging by the menu, has never seen a vegetarian). Ordered the schnitzel anyway. It was… a lot of schnitzel. And the waiter kept calling me "madam". I'm in my thirties, people!
- 7:30 PM: After dinner, went for a wander through the streets, the evening light falling on the brick buildings. The buildings seemed to judging me while I was walking, I am like a lost tourist, not having any idea what's going on, well, I am a lost tourist, I do not know anything, but the buildings know.
- 8:30 PM: Bedtime. Read a chapter of a book about German ghost stories. (Why? Just…why?). Am wide awake after the "good" experience of the disco ball.
Day 2: Marzipan Madness and Cathedral Contemplation
- 9:00 AM: "Breakfast." Which was actually just a blurry attempt at the hotel's buffet. Eggs, questionable coffee, and a croissant that crumbled into a thousand heartbreakingly delicious pieces.
- 10:00 AM: Marzipan Museum and Cafe Niederegger! This is what I came for! The place is HEAVEN. Pure almond-paste perfection! I bought approximately everything. I may have eaten half a marzipan loaf before noon. No ragrets. And the woman behind the counter gave me a wink, like she understood my marzipan-fueled euphoria. (She did. She totally did.)
- 11:30 AM: St. Mary’s Church. The size of this place. The grandeur. I spent like, an hour and a half there, getting lost in the gothic wonder of it all. I actually stood in the middle of the nave, and burst into tears, mostly of joy.
- 1:00 PM: Lunch at a traditional German restaurant. More schnitzel. This time it came with, what I beleived to be, a fried egg on top. It was…a lot. (I'm sensing a theme here). The waitress, who was probably 80 years old, offered me a shot of something medicinal. I cautiously declined. But I did tip her generously, because she was a legend.
- 2:30 PM: Explored the Holstentor, the iconic city gate. Took way too many pictures. Got yelled at by a guy riding a bike who was clearly late for something. "Rude!" I muttered. My German vocabulary is expanding, slowly.
- 4:00 PM: The Hotel Excellent sauna, which was a very long walk. It was…intense. I'm pretty sure I saw my whole life flash before my eyes. Came out red-faced and slightly delirious.
- 6:00 PM: Dinner. A small plate of ham. Trying to balance out the marzipan-schnitzel diet.
- 7:30 PM: Wandered the streets again, but this time, I purchased a book about "How to enjoy life".
Day 3: The Dark Side and a Bitter Ending
- 9:00 AM: More of that blurry breakfast. Considering wearing elasticated trousers for the rest of my life.
- 10:00 AM: Attempted a tour of the Buddenbrookhaus, the museum dedicated to Thomas Mann's novel. But the tour guide was dull. Halfway through, I wandered down to a cafe and ordered a cake, as I thought, this is the best part of Germany.
- 12:00 PM: Went to the Behnhaus Drägerhaus Museum. Art and culture. I hated every single item.
- 2:00 PM: It's time to leave, the driver was waiting. I ran back to the hotel "Excellent" to take a last look. Yes, I would miss this place.
End Notes (aka Post-Trip Emotional Vomit):
Lübeck was…an experience. A messy, slightly overwhelming, sometimes hilarious, and ultimately, deeply human experience. The marzipan, the church bells, the schnitzel, the disco ball…it all added up to something I won't soon forget. I left feeling exhausted, slightly ill, and strangely, deeply, satiated. Would I go back? Absolutely. Especially if someone promises to hide all the schnitzel. And maybe send me a lifetime supply of marzipan.
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Lübeck & Hotel Excellent: Your Questions (and My Ramblings!) Answered!
1. Okay, spill. Is Hotel Excellent *really* that… excellent? The name is a bit much, isn't it?
Alright, alright, you got me. The name is a *bit* grandiose. "Excellent"? Hmmm. Let's just say the marketing team might have gotten a tad carried away with the superlatives. Look, I wouldn't call it a five-star experience, but for the price? And the location? Oh, the location! It's more… "charmingly quirky." Think comfortable, clean, perfectly situated for exploring Lübeck, and with a staff that (mostly) speaks English. The “Excellent” part comes in the *potential*. The potential for a good time. The potential for… well, you'll see.
2. The location, you said? Is it really that great? Closer to the *Statuemarke*?
That's the *real* hidden gem here. The location? It's *amazing*! I mean, steps from the Holstentor, the iconic gate, the *Statuemarke* area is easy to stroll through. The hotel is tucked away on a quiet street, but you're *right there* in the heart of everything. You can practically roll out of bed and be on your way to marzipan heaven (more on that later!). I remember one morning, I woke up, threw on some clothes, and was wandering around the old town before the crowds even started to stir. Pure bliss! It's like, you're a local, you know?
3. Rooms. What are they like? Squeaky beds? Paper-thin walls? The horrors, I want to know!
Okay, truth time. The rooms are...well, they're not the Ritz. But they are *perfectly* fine! The beds are comfortable enough, the walls are… let’s say “structurally sound-ish." I did hear the couple next door having a spirited discussion about the merits of German beer one night...but look, that's part of the charm, right? You're *in* the city, not isolated in some sterile hotel room. Plus, they're clean! And the bathrooms are… they function. That's a win in my book. (I've stayed in places where the shower pressure was weaker than a kitten’s sneeze… shudder).
4. Breakfast, please! Because a bad hotel breakfast can ruin a whole day. Tell me everything!
The breakfast! Ah, yes. This is where the "potential" really shines. It's not a buffet extravaganza, people. Don't go expecting mountains of pancakes and omelet stations. It's more… continental-esque, with a German twist. Fresh bread rolls (delicious!), local cheeses, cold cuts, cereals, yogurt, fruit, and coffee. *Good* coffee! (Important!). I'm a simple soul. I got my fill of bread, cheese (that *Brie*!), and coffee every morning and was perfectly happy. It's not a culinary masterpiece, but it *works*. And the lady running the breakfast service? Super friendly, always with a smile. Don't be afraid to ask for a refill on the coffee! They're good about it!
5. Okay, the "quirks." Hit me with the quirky details. What's the *story*?
Alright, here's the meat and potatoes! One quirk? The elevator. It's tiny. *Really* tiny. Like, two people and a suitcase tiny. And it creaks. And it makes this whirring sound that I SWEAR it’s saying, "Are you sure you want to go up? Are *you* sure?" Another quirk? The key situation. Old-fashioned keys (I love 'em!). But one time, I *lost* mine! Panic mode engaged!!!! Raced to the front desk, mortified, and the friendly guy there just chuckled and handed me a new one like it was no big deal. "It happens," he said. It was comforting. Another quirk: The hotel’s general vibe is… cozy! It's not all sleek and modern. It's like a warm hug. It's… lived in! (And I mean that in a good way!).
6. Speaking of "lived in"… anything *bad* happen? Gotta hear the reality check!
Ugh, yes. My biggest "uh-oh" moment? Now, I'm not mentioning *names* (Hotel Excellent, you know I love you!), but my room didn't get cleaned one day. I came back from a long day of marzipan-fueled adventures, and… nothing. The bed wasn't made, the towels weren't changed. I won't lie, I was a *little* annoyed. Okay, a *lot* annoyed. But then I remembered: I was in Lübeck! I took a deep breath, went downstairs (past the tiny, creaky elevator, of course), and politely asked the front desk. They apologized profusely and sorted it out immediately. Lesson learned: things happen. And the staff, honestly, they were helpful and kind about it. It wasn’t a *disaster*. So, you know, don't expect perfection, but expect them to fix things!
7. You mentioned marzipan heaven! Tell me more! Hotel Excellent, did they recommend great places?
Oh, yes! MARZIPAN! *Lübeck*. The legendary marzipan! And yes, the hotel staff? They're in the know! They'll point you in the direction of the best places, the classic *Niederegger* (of course!), but also some smaller, quirkier shops. The *Statuemarke* area? It's packed with marzipan delights! Ask them! Don't be shy! They *want* you to have a good time. And they *really* want you to buy marzipan. And you *will* buy marzipan. Trust me.
8. Overall verdict: Would you actually recommend Hotel Excellent, despite the quirks?
Hmph. Let me think. Would I? ABSOLUTELY! Look, I'm not a luxury traveler. I'm a "I want to experience the *place* not just the hotel" traveler. Hotel Excellent isn't perfect, but it's *charming*, it's in a perfect location, it’s clean, it's comfortable, and the staff are genuinely nice. Plus, it’s reasonably priced! You'll get the genuine experience of living in the old town of Lübeck. It's not aCoastal Inns
