I stayed a night at Spalenbrunnen because it was on the inexpensive side of hotels in Basel. That was still more expensive than my luxury room in Venice, but that's Switz. for you!

Admittedly when I first came into the hotel, I was a little nervous. There is no "traditional" front desk (like in many cheap hotels, it's an office.) The worn hallway carpets and early 1970's room furniture had me crossing my fingers.

But the room was exceptionally clean, and comfortable if not cheery.

The bathtub was a shock - enormous (double length) and also spic and span.

I slept well, with the cathedral bells providing an hourly "snooze alarm" in the morning.

Make no mistake - it's a budget hotel, so don't expect the Hyatt. But as budget hotels go, it was very good. I'd go back if I were ever in Basel again.

This is the kind of hotel I should love. Personally run, middle of town, sensibly priced. So what went wrong?

The hotel is in a quiet part of the old town, but it is where the trams go past within inches of the bedrooms, and where the street sweeping trucks congregate throughout the night rather than returning to their depots. Whilst this is not the fault of the hotel, the drunken night porter (I arrived late) and other matters are.

The rooms are adequately, but cheaply furnished. Nothing matched and all looked like it was the result of an afternoon scavenging second hand furniture stores. Towels were frayed and not all clean (but more than ample quantity). The room was stiflingly hot, whilst the few working lightbulbs made the room dim. The TV remote lacked batteries. I never did work out and don't need to know, why and how dirty fingermarks were in the middle of the ceiling. The duvet is several sizes smaller than the bed.

The minibar (which I never use) did not have everything listed on the pricesheet - in particular, it lacked alcohol.

Other staff were fine. There is an Indian restaurant as part of the hotel and they remained open for me when I arrived hungry - although the meal itself was eminently forgettable. Nothing wrong, just bland and incipid: not what one expects from an Indian restaurant.

The location is very good, just a few steps und you are at the old part of the town with little streets and interesting shops. If your feet are to tired you can use the Tramway, the station is located nearby.
There is a nightclub in the Hotel - but don´t worry, the only thing you notice is the advertising outside (and you can see much more nakedness on every news-stand). No problem with noise, vistors etc. etc.
The room was really spacius, clean and everything ok. The buffet-breakfast had enough variety.