Altora Eisenbahn Themenhotel

Premium steam room view is a lovely bedroom but slightly further from the shed as it is in a new complex. Other than that, staff were entertaining, accommodating as they let us have window seats. Great service great food. Clean room excellent all round

We stayed at a hotel just a block and a half away, but there is certainly an appeal for rail enthusiasts to stay here, as from the restaurant or front steps you can see the steam engines being watered and readied for the day's service. Just opposite at the traffic lights is a hotspot for photographers from as early at 7:30am. We went in here to see the train that delivers drinks. We got there around 5pm. The place was empty apart from a table of 3 having food. However, we were told that all the tables on the outskirt were reserved and so we couldn't be seated there to have the pleasure of the drinks delivery by train. We were only there for 1 or 2 drinks so didn't plan on staying more than half an hour. Yet still, after we were seated on the inside, a group of 7 walked in without reservations to do exactly the same thing (just have drinks) and they were immediately ushered to an end table. No doubt a table of 7 would take far longer than a couple to have drinks, not so? As a hotelier, it is always good to go the extra mile to make guests happy - whether resident or restaurant guests. You can never tell when a walk-in client can become a return patron. This team didn't live up to expectations. When we went back 2 days later, they were not serving just after lunch but the staff member cleaning up wouldn't even acknowledge anyone walking in the door to say we're closed or give some other appropriate advice. I can't help but wonder how much potential business they are losing from this lackadaisical approach to service.

There aren’t many hotel restaurants where your beer is delivered by miniature railway! A treat for rail enthusiasts if you book a “railway room” because you can watch the engines coaling and watering from your window. 5 mins from mainline and Harz steam railway stations and close to the old town Our room was comfortable and clean, the evening meal was good and fairly priced, with a very tender steak. Breakfast was typical, ok though had better on our holiday. Enough of the helpful staff spoke English to sort any problems. In summary, good straightforward hotel but with unusual features that make it fun for the train fan.

This hotel has slipped a little downhill since our last visit 4 years ago: it may have new owners or simply become complacent. Small things such as decor and service feel tired and the food in the restaurant is expensive for the quality. We found much better eateries nearby. Watch out too for the free drinks offer in lieu of making up the room: having received the vouchers the bar staff were less than friendly when it came to their exchange. It somehow became our fault housekeeping had given us the vouchers! Convenient for the station and reasonably priced, but could do better.