Ramada Resident Dresden is really a bed factory on the outskirts of Dresden in a suburban area which has nothing at all to recommend it. It would appear to be a converted block of previous Communist flats. The advertised roof terrace on level 7 was a small square with two tables and chairs, no lights, no bar - the only bar was on the ground floor. It was also the only hotel we have visited to charge a euro for a town map.

We had a two night stay here as part of an organised tour of Saxony and had bed, breakfast and evening meal. The evening meal was very poor - buffet style, luke warm, leathery chicken with mixed veg which had been cooked for about 3 hrs before reaching the table, i.e mushy, soggy and tasteless. The potatoes were non-existent - those at the front of the queue took them all, and the top-up arrived half an hour after the main course had been finished. The only pudding was a jelly and cream affair in a minisize glass and, again, not enough to go around the party so we did without again. There was a cheeseboard - half an inch triangles of Brie - never knew it could be cut so small - all rind and no cheese. We asked what wines they had - the young inexperienced waiter replied red or white and could not list anything, nor could he believe we actually wanted a bottle, not a glass - so on asking for a wine list, half an hour later one arrived by which time we had virtually finished the leathery chicken!

Don't eat here - we didn't the second night but had a wonderful evening instead in Dresden centre where they certainly know how to cook and serve decent food.

The hotel is located in a suburb of Dresden called Laubegast which is a better residential area. Access is easy via tram No 4 or taxi (about € 12.00 from downtown). The hotel caters mainly to individual tourists and organized travel groups arriving by bus from all over Germany. The room size is adequate and typical for modern budget hotels. Bathrooms and showers are clean and meet expectations of a budget hotel. Breakfast and dinner (buffet style)is excellent and service better than usual. Reception staff is most helpful and assists in arranging opera /concert tickets etc. Dresden is currently a very popular city destination since the latest attraction the 'Frauenkirche' (bombed in February 1945) is now open (Oct 2006)to visitors after it was rebuilt as per original plans. Hence many tourists are coming to this city to visit and to enjoy the sites. Visits during the week are recommended.

We stayed at this hotel because it was only 2 blocks away from our friends' apartment. They booked it for us.

Face it, the Ramada Resident Hotel is a big-box hotel that caters to large busloads of foreign tourists (2-3 busses park out front every night). There isn't anything "charming" or old-world about it. It is clean, functional, and efficient - just like the Germans who run it. The rooms are small as are the bathrooms (just big enough for one person at a time). The room chairs are small and uncomfortable. The hotel is out in a residential neighborhood with nothing of particular interest nearby. It is not within close walking distance to any restaurants, although their is one in the hotel basement. It is close to an elementary school and the children can be active and noisy at recess in the morning. Getting into the city involves walks, busses and streetcars.

On the plus side however, the building is new construction with good parking. The front desk staff was VERY pleasant and helpful and everyone spoke very good English. They made sure we started our days with a smile. The breakfasts are good and varied and plentiful. The housekeepers did a great job of keeping the place clean and spotless. The neighborhood is very quiet at night (no busy streets nearby) which makes sleeping with the window open very pleasant.

Our room rate was 88 Euros per night.