The Quellenhof was the last stop of our trip through the Alps...and unfortunately also the most disappointing.
The first impression is already not very inviting. The hotel sign is peeling in places, and fairy lights and LED strips hang somewhat haphazardly around it. The reception area looks dark and dated; artificial flowers with a thick layer of dust are on tables and in the corners.
The check-in was friendly and uncomplicated. Our family room was on the third floor. It can be reached either via the stairwell or by elevator, though only up to the second floor. For the last floor, you have to take a staircase. This is presumably due to the building's structure and not the hotel's fault, but it is still inconvenient with a lot of luggage. In the stairwell, there are also remnants of old COVID stickers (as wayfinding markers), which underscores the overall somewhat unkempt impression.
The hallways also look significantly aged. On the third floor, a small skylight stood out, which forms the end of a wood-paneled light shaft. The window was barely transparent due to heavy dirt, and the wood paneling of the light shaft looked heavily weathered and partially rotten. Another window in the hallway could not be set to tilt properly, but instead swung open completely. In addition, a fire extinguisher was being misused as a doorstop. Such trifles add up and convey the impression of a building that is only being maintained in a makeshift manner.
The room itself initially makes a significantly better impression. Furniture, beds, and bathrooms seem to have been renovated and look modern. Upon closer inspection, however, numerous flaws in the overall picture become apparent. The wood-paneled sloped ceilings were apparently not renovated; in the toilet area, larger openings were even stuffed with paper. The windows and balcony door are obviously from an older era and showed the same problems as the windows in the hallway.
The minibar was loud, humming and gurgling almost continuously. First, we noticed that the door did not close properly. Due to the heavy icing inside, we wanted to turn off the refrigerator, but decided against it to avoid causing water damage in the room. The balcony was covered with a heavily worn outdoor carpet and furnished with simple plastic furniture. A positive point to highlight, however, is the beautiful view of the mountains.
The outdoor area also left a mixed impression. Although the lawn was well-maintained, there were several weathered huts and terraces next to it that looked uninviting.
Added to this was an unpleasant odor in the hallways and sometimes in the room as well. As a result, one automatically views even the renovated areas more critically and quickly discovers minor defects or stains that further reinforce the overall unkempt impression.
The bathroom is modern in design. It seems all the more incomprehensible that the high-quality glass shower was supplemented with a simple shower curtain, a small detail that is symbolic of many decisions in the building.
The most unpleasant thing, however, was the temperature in the room. Despite an outside temperature of around 30 degrees, the children's bedroom in particular could hardly be cooled down. There was no lack of drafts; rather, the underfloor heating ran continuously, heating both the bathroom and the children's room constantly. According to the reception, the heating was already turned off, but it could still be "running" in the attic. In fact, the problem persisted throughout our entire stay.
There is no restaurant, but breakfast is offered. This takes place in a room illuminated with cold-white LED lights, accompanied by music that is presumably intended to be relaxing, but which seemed rather strange to us. The lounge (attached to the room), which actually looked cozy, was closed, presumably due to a need for renovation. In general, there are several areas of the building that are not allowed to be entered or are only makeshiftly covered.
Unfortunately, the breakfast could not improve the overall impression either. Offered were bake-off rolls, some scrambled eggs and bacon, jam and honey in portion packs, some cold cuts, as well as unappealingly presented salads and vegetables. The selection is generally rather below average. Anyone who wants to eat or drink something outside of breakfast hours will find a coffee and snack vending machine in the reception area.
Another detail that rounded off the overall impression: Even the cleaning staff's laundry carts were visibly repaired and patched up multiple times in a makeshift manner. For the guest, this is of course not an actual defect. However, it conveys the impression that necessary investments are being postponed in many places, even regarding the employees' work equipment. The cleaning staff themselves made a friendly and dedicated impression.
That is precisely where we see the fundamental problem with the hotel. Individual areas were visibly renovated, such as the rooms or the restrooms on the ground floor. However, the basic building structure appears to be in need of renovation in many places. One repeatedly encounters smaller and larger defects, so that the feeling of a well-maintained hotel never arises. Rather, it seems as if one is trying to maintain a building with selective renovations that would actually require a comprehensive refurbishment.
Our conclusion is therefore unfortunately clear: Measured against the price charged, we would not recommend the Quellenhof. We were there for two nights and were, honestly, glad to leave again. For a simple overnight stay, the hotel may be sufficient for some guests, but for a longer vacation, we would not recommend it.
We would like to highlight the friendly and dedicated staff as well as the beautiful mountain view. Furthermore, it is recognizable that investments have been made in individual areas. In our impression, however, these measures are not sufficient to compensate for the overall state of the building, which is in need of renovation.
We also found the reviews on various portals to be striking. There, one finds numerous extremely euphoric reviews that can hardly be reconciled with our experiences. Of course, every guest has their own experiences. After our stay, however, we would read the reviews with a certain amount of caution and focus in particular on the detailed, nuanced reports.
For us, the impression remains of a hotel with potential in a beautiful setting that currently, however, falls far short of its possibilities. With a consistent gut renovation, it could certainly become a very beautiful property again. In its current state, however, we would not stay there again.