Motel One Dresden am Zwinger

It’s been a few years since we’ve reported on a Motel One establishment. This one is across from the spectacular Zwinger and steps away from the Altstadt, but a 20-minute trek to the Hauptbahnhof. The rooms and the public areas remain wonderfully furnished, with the turquoise scheme upfront. However, the breakfast and bar area can get extremely and uncomfortably crowded during the busy breakfast rush, and the queues for the coffee machine may take awhile, and you may also feel that you’re always blocking the reach of someone who needs specific items or just needs passage through the queue to get to where he needs to go. Another aspect for this day and age, and at the hotel’s specific price point in particular, that requires consideration is the lack of dedicated USB charging ports. If you’re from overseas, these features can be very helpful, when you have multiple items that need to be powered. The hotel also does not provide glasses anymore, only paper ones, which feels rather tacky. Finally, some travellers should be aware of the fact that in a typical German hotel such as this, guests usually only get towels in sizes of large and very large—no hand or face towels here. However, we don’t get radiators that dry them, as you may find in other establishments. However, not unexpectedly, you do get the basics: cleanliness throughout, good room temperature controls, noise levels under control, reasonably comfortable bed, good toilet pressure and water temperature controls in the bathroom, nice lighting options in the room, workable wi-fi, competent housekeeping, and friendly and helpful staff. While the breakfast buffet is not as endless as at many hotels of this class, it is cheaper here, and the space is admittedly very attractive. Overall, despite the concerns here, it’s still good value for money, but just not as great as it was a few years back.

Fresh and clean with super helpful staff. Well located at the intersection of several tram lines and steps away from the restaurants and sites of the old town. Competitive price.

Excellent location, tiny room, ok for one person or two for just one night. shower needs handles to avoid falls, impossible to avoid water leaking into bathroom. Easy walking distance to old town sights.

Excellent area to begin your fun!

Other than the location, it has nothing to recommend it! The rooms are small and have literally no drawers or closet for clothes and belongings. The worst feature though is the darkness! It’s like staying in a cave no matter the time of day!

Great location, nice, clean modern hotel.

Great location