What struck me immediately about Hotel Residence in Vaduz, was the style. It is delightfully minimalistic and modern, and gives a certain air of cleanliness and order to the place. For example, the bathroom is only separated from the bedroom by a semi-frosted glass pane, a novel and interesting idea.

There seems to be quite a small team running the place, but they are always friendly and helpful, and the rooms are kept very tidy and orderly.

One has to admit that the breakfast is very good, both in its constitution and presentation. As far as facilities go, they are fairly limited. For example, there is no gym, which admittedly can't be expected of a hotel of such a small size. Complimentary WiFi is also a must if you want to be a successful business hotel these days, which is unfortunately lacking. However, there is a whole office available for the business traveller wanting internet access and printing capability.

The location of the hotel could not be better. It is situated right in the middle of Vaduz, on the main pedestrian street.

Now to the other side of the coin:

When I arrived at the hotel, on a very hot day indeed (which is not rare in Liechtenstein, owing to the Föhn, the warm south wind which frequently blows through the valley). My room, although very stylish, was also extremely hot. I turned the thermostat down, to no avail, for I noticed soon thereafter that the room was lacking an air conditioning unit. Instead there was a tiny fanning apparatus on the bedside table, which proved to be near useless.

The next morning was one filled with many complaints from my colleagues, who had had a very bad night's sleep due to the heat. I had gotten a few more winks than they by opening a window with limited success.

My initial thought was, that the hotel was so minimal in style, they had forgotten the basics. I had been to one-star hotels in third world countries which at least had air conditioning. Upon inquiry at the reception desk, I was politely told that there were legal limitations within the country for air conditioning, and given a vague reference to some rooms being air conditioned and others not.

Although this fact partially absolves the hotel, the fact remains that one of the key elements of hotel living conditions are missing. I should also mention that I have been in buildings with very effectively functioning geothermal and convection cooling and heating systems. Putting that together with the notion that a business hotel should at least have free WiFi, and the overall score looks less than rosy.

Liechtenstein is a wonderful country, and well worth a visit for either business or leisure. But in the case of this hotel, I recommend you go in the winter and when you're on business.