Motel One Basel

The hotel offers a highly desirable urban experience, distinguished by its prime central location directly on Barfüsserplatz, making it an unparalleled base for exploring the city. Its signature feature is the immediate access to the vibrant Christmas markets during the festive season, creating a magical atmosphere right at the doorstep. This makes it an ideal choice for sightseers and tourists eager to immerse themselves in the city's culture and attractions, as well as couples seeking a romantic getaway. Business travelers also find it convenient due to its efficiency and central position. Guests consistently commend the hotel's modern design, comfortable accommodations, and the exceptional service provided by the staff. For families, the availability of family rooms and the central location facilitate easy city exploration. To maximize your stay, guests are advised to be aware of the unique, lounge-style breakfast setup in the lobby.

Facilities & Amenities
The hotel features a stylish and inviting lobby area that doubles as a lively bar and lounge, creating a warm and communal atmosphere for guests to relax and socialize. This central space is frequently praised for its modern design, comfortable seating, and appealing lighting, making it a popular spot for evening drinks and casual gatherings. Guests appreciate the convenience of free Wi-Fi throughout the property, ensuring seamless connectivity for both leisure and business needs. The hotel's overall ambiance is described as trendy and cozy, providing a pleasant environment for guests. While focusing on essential comforts, the well-designed public spaces contribute significantly to a convenient and enjoyable stay, offering a welcoming retreat after a day of exploring the city.

Cleanliness & Room Comfort
Guests consistently commend the spotless cleanliness of the rooms and bathrooms, noting that the accommodations are well-maintained and tidy. The beds are generally described as comfortable, contributing to a restful night's sleep, though some guests found the pillows firm or the beds too soft, and some double beds had two single duvets. Room size received mixed feedback; while some found them spacious, others considered them small or basic, with limited storage or desk space. Many rooms benefit from excellent soundproofing, ensuring a quiet environment despite the central location, though some noted occasional noise from church bells or the market. A recurring point is the absence of in-room amenities such as a kettle or coffee maker, and a mini-fridge. Climate control also received varied comments, with some reporting effective air conditioning while others experienced issues with it being insufficient or merely a fan, leading to stuffy conditions, particularly in rooms without proper windows or with views into internal spaces.

Dining & Food Quality
The hotel offers a continental breakfast that is generally well-regarded for its quality and variety, including cereals, breads, cheeses, cold cuts, yogurts, pastries, and juices. The coffee is frequently praised for its quality. However, a common point of feedback revolves around the breakfast setup; it is served in the main lobby and bar area, which means guests often eat at low coffee tables or lounge seating rather than traditional dining tables, which some found awkward or uncomfortable. There are no hot breakfast items like eggs or bacon. Beyond breakfast, the bar serves drinks and a limited selection of food, such as toasties, which some guests found to be a convenient but basic option, especially for those seeking more substantial meals or vegetarian choices.

Location & Accessibility
The hotel's central location is overwhelmingly praised as its strongest asset, situated directly on Barfüsserplatz in the heart of the Old Town. This prime position offers immediate access to the Christmas markets, numerous shops, diverse restaurants, and key museums like the Historisches Museum and Kunstmuseum, all within easy walking distance. Public transport is exceptionally convenient, with tram stops directly outside the hotel, providing quick and free connections to the train station (SBB) and other parts of the city, including the airport. While the hotel does not have its own parking, several public parking garages are available nearby, though they can be expensive and require a short walk with luggage. Some guests noted the hotel entrance involves a few steps, which might be inconvenient with large bags.

Staff & Service
The hotel staff consistently receives high praise for their friendly, helpful, and attentive service, with many guests highlighting their professionalism and willingness to go above and beyond to assist. The check-in process is generally described as smooth and efficient, with staff often accommodating early arrivals. Guests appreciate the staff's assistance with directions, transportation inquiries, and providing amenities like power adapters. The bar service is also frequently commended for its quality and the pleasant demeanor of the bartenders. While most feedback is overwhelmingly positive, a few guests reported isolated instances of less flexible or less welcoming interactions, particularly regarding specific hotel policies or late check-out requests. Overall, the dedication of the team significantly enhances the guest experience.

Additional Information
A notable and highly valued benefit for guests is the complimentary Basel Card, which provides not only free use of the city's public transport but also discounts on various attractions, making exploration more affordable. The hotel's modern and stylish design, characterized by warm and inviting lighting, contributes significantly to a pleasant ambiance throughout the property, from the lobby to the rooms. However, a specific point of contention for some guests, particularly locals, was the hotel's policy regarding its exterior lighting during the traditional "Morgenstraich" carnival event, where the hotel's illuminated sign remained on, contrary to local custom, which was seen as disrespectful to the city's cultural heritage. Additionally, the hotel maintains a policy against outside food in the lobby/bar area, which some guests found restrictive.