N K
Google
We really wanted to love Alma – the location is truly fantastic, just one block from the lake and with two excellent restaurants on the same block. Unfortunately, the experience didn’t quite live up to expectations, especially considering the price point (around $500 per night per room for two rooms over two nights).
The hotel is housed in an older building, which some may find charming with its sloping floors and worn wooden bathroom flooring. For us, it felt more like a case of fitting a hotel into a space not quite meant for it. The character some might romanticize just felt a bit tired.
Reception is unstaffed after 7 PM, which gave us a sense of freedom with key fob access, but it also posed challenges. Traveling with an elderly adult, we found the hotel quite inaccessible. The lift is painfully slow, and while we appreciated the rooftop setup, it was only accessible by steep stairs—again, a major barrier for anyone with mobility limitations.
There is an outdoor lift at the entrance, but it requires a special key to operate, which wasn’t clearly communicated. Even the main entrance has stairs, so just getting in was an issue.
On the plus side, we liked the idea of the “honest bar” and the all-day availability of tea, coffee, and hot water. However, the breakfast was extremely basic, and again, not quite what we expected at this price.
Alma has its charm, and we can see how it might appeal to certain travelers—especially those who value quirky character over modern convenience. But for us, especially given the cost, it didn’t quite deliver the comfort or accessibility we hoped for.