Marriott Hotel, Leipzig

...sites is opposite to the Marriott hotel! But, as it is currently in the stages of refurbishment, you will have to be quick to catch it! For those who are unfamiliar with the history of the Peaceful Revolution of 1989 and subsequent re-unification of Germany, this is where it is all believed to have started. One thing worth a visit are the secret police headquarters, of course not so secret in present times, but interesting from a historical point ...
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Location wise the Marriott suits all needs. It is situated a short walk across the tram lines to the central station (and you have never seen as many shops inside, so definitely go in!) and the main old town where all the hustle and bustle of the Christmas markets were in full force. Opposite the hotel is the Museum of Leipzig, which again is worth a visit, the tourist information is on the same road. All of Leipzig is walkable, but the only ... more

So, another year passes and another trip to Germany's Christmas Markets now firmly in the past, it's time to report back!

A little bit about Leipzig

Forming part of the Former East Germany, Leipzig is a city of transformation. Although 500 years old, the biggest changes seem to have been happening in the past 15 years. It has seen a lot of the architecture associated with communism removed, while much of it's heritage is refurbished and transformed. There are still elements of communism and those times remaining, strangely one of the sites is opposite to the Marriott hotel! But, as it is currently in the stages of refurbishment, you will have to be quick to catch it! For those who are unfamiliar with the history of the Peaceful Revolution of 1989 and subsequent re-unification of Germany, this is where it is all believed to have started. One thing worth a visit are the secret police headquarters, of course not so secret in present times, but interesting from a historical point of view.

The city itself is simple to get around and about the right size to be able to wander without getting too bored. It's also a very easy place to leave from if you are wishing to travel throughout Europe, with the largest train station in Europe located in the town and plenty of buses, coaches and trams. If you fancy a trip to Colditz, its about 30 mins on a coach and if you do make sure you opt for the guided tour.

For many it's most famous moment was the birth of Johann Sebastian Bach and unsurprisingly the musical theme has continued throughout the years with the Gewandhaus Orchestra, Leipzig Gewandhaus.

Price

Well before I go on, I thought it would be best to tell you how much the hotel costs, after all value for money has to be one of the best methods for judging the hotel. The rate per room presently varies between 125 euros per night for a week night and 153 for a weekend. At the current exchange rates it works out approx £90-£110 per night. If you want a little bit extra it is possible to opt for an executive room, which starts at 190 euros.

We stayed in the executive rooms, but the actual rooms are not so different, it's the extras ( I will explain later) that make up the price.

Location

Location wise the Marriott suits all needs. It is situated a short walk across the tram lines to the central station (and you have never seen as many shops inside, so definitely go in!) and the main old town where all the hustle and bustle of the Christmas markets were in full force. Opposite the hotel is the Museum of Leipzig, which again is worth a visit, the tourist information is on the same road. All of Leipzig is walkable, but the only point I would make is do not expect to get a beautiful view from your room, the hotel is surrounded by a slow re-development and as I mentioned before quite a lot of the ex East German architecture still surrounds it. Interesting to see, but not to be described as beautiful. After a good wander around, we spotted all of the other mayor chains, and I have to say I still preferred the Marriott's location.

Facilities & Service

The hotel was built in 1997, so everything is still pretty new, but in Marriott's style of lot's of wood and has a very traditional feel to it. It has 231 rooms over 7 floors, 35 of those form part of the executive suites on the top floors. It also caters for disabled people, with 5 rooms specifically designed to meet their needs. As an American chain the rooms are all non-smoking and the main restaurant is too, but if you smoke there are little other areas that can not be smoked in.

If you have driven to the hotel, parking is available, although not free to residents and at 18 euros a day there are cheaper options off site. The hotel is geared up for both business and private clients, with a choice of 3 restaurants a huge ballroom which double as 4 conference rooms. Each room has all of the normal facilities including a desk & chair, wireless internet connection, climate control (although you do have the option of opening the windows too if you are adverse to air conditioning), hair drier, TV with satellite, iron and ironing board and mini bar (all water is free for all guests, while the other items are added to your bill at the end of your stay). In addition a daily newspaper is delivered, depending on your nationality (we received The Times) and every room has a bathrobe and slippers (which come in very handy if popping to the pool).

All rooms also have a free safe with clear instructions on how to operate and as with most places are well worth using for peace of mind and are accessed via a door key that also actions the power to each room.

In addition, there is a sauna and swimming pool that have pretty decent opening times. Although as a warning for those who are slightly self-conscious, to get to the pool there is a special lift in reception that just shuttles between the lower ground spa area and reception. So in effect you have to come down in one lift from your room, get out at reception and wait for the other lift to take you down a floor! Not a problem in itself, but if you do not like to be stared at in your dressing gown, it may make you re-consider! Towels for use in and around the swimming pool and sauna are provided for all guests use at Spa level.

All rooms have an En-Suite as is normal for hotels, ours was spacious and included plenty of free miniatures, topped up daily.

The rooms are cleaned daily, with very wise housekeepers who didn't once knock on our door, but timed the cleaning event to perfection. Cleaning the room was a very hassle free experience, and very thoroughly carried out.

Breakfast:

Breakfast is served in the main restaurant on the 1st floor from 6am till 11am and includes an absolutely huge choice! We had absolutely no complaints about breakfast, and there really is something for everyone, from those who wish to have fish, to traditional British fry up, muesili, porridge, huge amounts of fruit both fresh and dried, every bread under the sun, toast, sweet cakes, the list really did go on and on. All self-service so you can have as little or as much as you wish! Coffee and tea is served by waiting staff at the table, but again a huge amount of choice can be found in the buffet area, including pro-biotic drinks! There really was nothing to complain about apart from the amount of effort it takes to try and decide what to go for every morning!

All of the staff we came across was polite, helpful, efficient and spoke perfect English.

What extras do you get with the Executive Rooms?

As I stated earlier for one reason or another we stayed in executive rooms, which do come at a premium price, but equally include quite a few extras! On the 5th Floor of the hotel is a room dedicated to those staying in executive rooms, accessed via your room card it is open from 6 in the morning till 12 at night and for us (a party of 8) proved to be the perfect meeting place. The room itself has free drinks, tea, coffee, water, fruit juice, wine, beer and from 7pm onwards free spirits. Also throughout the day food is left as snacks, and ranged from cakes to finger food all beautifully presented and very tempting!.

For those preferring to drink in their room, the mini bar is also free. In theory, spirits were meant to be charged for, but I think it is up to the discretion of the staff at check out as to whether you are charged or not. We had one or two spirits and they told us we wouldn't need to pay for them. All chocolate and snacks from the mini bar were also free. Every day new fruit was delivered to the room, with chocolates delivered at a different time. Aswell as the daily clean that all rooms received, the executive rooms are checked twice more throughout the day, when sheets are re-tucked, pillows puffed and towels replaced if wet.

If you wished, it was also possible to eat breakfast in the executive lounge, with your own personal waitress and plenty of choice.

So all in all, for an extra 30 euros plus a night, they insure that you will not be hungry or thirsty all day! For us it was great just to have a meeting place to get together every day, but if you don't have that need then unless you plan to stay around the hotel its probably not worth it.

Would I recommend the hotel?

Yes, most definitely would. Although to be honest, if the Radisson Hotel had a sauna and swimming pool I would have preferred to stay there again. We didn't feel the need to venture into any of the 3 bars, as all were a little too American for us (not that there is anything wrong with that, just that you don't visit Germany to experience America!) and just didn't really appeal. But, all in all the rooms were lovely, staff and food great.

Link to the site
http://marriott.com/property/propertypage/lejdt

Address
Am Hallischen Tor 1.
Leipzig, Saxony 04109 Germany

Phone: 49 341 9653 0
 

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