Altstadt Hotel

Awful room, no money returned

Nothing

I checked in after being awake for 30 hours and a long trip from US. Was asked to pay for the entire stay up front before seeing the room. I asked to check out the room first, but was told to pay. It was a hot day and my room was on the top (fourth floor). I understand this is in the old town of Heidelberg (no lift/air conditioning is common), but the room was far too hot for anyone to be able to sleep in. The window opened only a crack, so there was no air flow. The blinds had been left open so the sun had heated the room the entire day. They could not provide a fan, air conditioning unit or alternative room on a lower floor. I had to work the next four days and knew that sleep in this room would not be an option. I requested to leave and have my money returned. I had not been in the room even 1 hour. The lady at the desk refused. I even offered to pay for my first night and cancel the other nights, also refused. They claimed a 10-day cancellation policy, which is excessive. I was told the manager would be in throughout the week, in the morning. All phone calls and visits I made, I was told the manager was not there. Two emails to the address they provided have not been replied to. They knew the room on the top floor would be boiling hot that day. It was a SCAM to make me pay first for my entire stay before seeing the room. To not have a fan or any other option is crazy. Their excuse of "it was a hot day" is not good enough. If they had good service, they would tell me when I got there: "hot day, room on top floor, go check it out" but they would rather take my money and deal with this later. What a rip off. Ruined the first days of my trip, had to find another hotel and keep coming back when "the manager would be in". I am pretty reasonable about hotel rooms. I don't care much about amenities and fancy items, as long as I can sleep and have a shower. The experience here was awful. A lot of lies and frustration.