I wrapped-up my visit to the big A + A show in Dusseldorf last November. While I spent the bulk of my visit staying at the Villa Viktoria just around the corner (check out my review on that hotel for a same-person / different hotel comparison), I checked into the Spichernplatz for my last night in town. I almost did not review this hotel but looking at the other reviews here (no offense anyone), I decided another more-detailed review might be helpful.

As usual, I am breaking this review down into the great, good, bad, and ugly with some 'bottom line' comments. Then, I will answer the review question - 'would I stay there again?' Ready? Here goes . . .

GREAT

* Sauna: While I didn't use it (I did walk through and got a good look) the cave spa in the lower level of this hotel looks very nice. It is darkened and made to look like a posh cave - with sauna, steam room, etc. Unfortunately though, guests have to pay a rate of, I think, 10 euro to use it. Having just left a more expensive hotel where use of the sauna was complimentary, this was a bummer.

GOOD

* Restaurant: I had dinner one night at the greek restaurant in this hotel and it was fantastic. The food was tasty and came in generous portions (I am a big eater and I struggled to finish). They also give you a complimentary shot of a sambuca-type liqour.

* Location: The location of this hotel is very convenient and it makes for an excellent choice if you are attending a show. As the name suggests, this hotel is located smack in the middle of Spichern Platz. The Spichern tram stop is steps from the hotel's front entrance and there are a few coffee / produce / bar options very close by (note though, that this is not the Konigsallee in the 'heart' of Dusseldorf - you'll pay much more for that).

BAD (room for improvement)

* Noise / View at night: I had a room at the front of the hotel and noise can be a factor. Also . . . I walked out of an evening shower into the room to discover that I was completely visible to the residents of the apartment building close-by across the street. While I had the drape closed, it was super thin and did not prohibit view into my lit room at night. It looked like a senior woman in a higher floor across the street was enjoying the view of a naked stud, but I eventually spoiled her fun when I discoverd a switch on the wall that activated a scrolling security-type window panel that concealed the window (I still do think about her though, sometimes . . . ). It also greatly reduced the noise - almost to the point though where you had to choose between a noisy street or . . . dead silence.

* Service: take this comment while knowing I was only there one night but . . . the service has a 'feeling' of staying as a guest at a family-run business where the family has maybe too much to do. I checked in with a middle-aged woman who seemed a tad surly - she was barking back & forth with someone in the bar area. She did have a beautiful smile when she eventually unpursed her lips.

BOTTOM LINE Comments

* This hotel was a let-down after leaving the Villa Viktoria, but . . . in all fairness it was much cheaper too. The rooms are small and modest, but clean and modern too. I feel like I got what I paid for.

Would I stay here agin under similar circumstances? Well, I probably will attend the A + A show again. So, here's my leaning: while I do NOT regret staying at this hotel, I don't feel any super-compelling reason to return either. Feel free to contact me with questions / comments.