When one week before the end of the year you want to go to Luxembourg without any previous reservation, don't expect too find easily a good accommodation. This is what I kept telling myself while trying to find a place for two nights in one of the cities with the highest income in the world. Lucky as usual, I was able to secure relatively fast a very good reservation, at an incredible price for that time of the year, at Hotel Carlton.
The news of my success was welcomed with a slight comment: "Maybe it is too much luxury?". I don't have usually such concerns, and the result was more than satisfactory for everyone. Most importantly, the hotel is situated minutes distance from the Central Station and 20 minutes of walk from the central area, with the main shops, restaurants and cultural attractions. The street looked safe and very quiet, even in the most busiest night of the year.
Arrived late in the evening of the last day of 2013, we were welcomed on the sound of the classical music and a glass of orange juice. The respectable gentlemen at the reception, speaking French, German, English and Italian, gave us the keys and some short directions for our late night trip.
Compared to the lobby and the stairs area, designed following the art deco style, the rooms looks standard, without any specific personality or style. Everything new, clean, with all the amenities needed by the modern traveller.
It was enough space to move freely, even though we didn't spend too much in the room. I, the only one interested to stay a bit longer indoors, was able to do my job fast, enjoying the advantages of the high speed free Internet. I only was a bit disappointed that there was no coffee offered, only tea bags and a lot of sugar.
We arrived back early in the morning of 1st of January, and the door was closed. We were shortly let in though and noticed that the breakfast starts at 5am. As we left quite early the morning of the 2nd, we were pleased to see that we will not miss the morning meal.
The breakfast room is big, with a big wooden classical closet, that makes you feel you are in an old museum. The morning choice is relatively limited (some breads, pastry, croissants, jams, yoghurts, cheese, meat, cornflakes), but the coffee is good and the service excellent and always welcoming.
Although probably I was expecting a little bit more from a hotel branded as Carlton, the charming customer service might convince me to return, especially if during my next visit I will be, again, (as usual) out of time.
For more insights about Luxembourg, visit my Pinterest board: http://www.pinterest.com/ilanaontheroad/luxembourg/
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