edrose1
Google
When I heard I was to be staying in a small no-star hotel above a bakery, my expectations were lowered consideably, and I prepared myself for the worst scenarios. I could not have been more wrong. ||||To begin with, the reception could not be more delightful: It is simply the bakery counter. More than a hundred different breads, cakes, and delectable chocolate confections greet you as you are handed the keys to your apartment by the ever friendly and helpful Mrs Laager. ||||I found the apartment to be both spacious, modern, and comfortable. The kitchen and bathroom have obviously recently been re-done, and refitted with some brand new appliances. It actually has a capacity of six persons, although we occupied it with half as many. ||||I had not expected room service at all, but the apartment was always suspiciously neat and tidy after we had returned from hiking, and I discovered that there were indeed maids cleaning all the rooms (and who does an excellent job of it). I have found the owner/manager of the hotel, Mrs Laager, and the other members of staff at the bakery to be the most friendly, trusting, and personal hosts I have yet experienced on my travels. They even offered to do the washing for us for free (we insisted on paying them), and it was done the same day, to the highest standard of course, and neatly folded. I should also mention the rooms come with free WiFi, which also works downstairs while you are having breakfast.||||I feel I can't write this review and not mention the breakfasts at the bakery downstairs. It just makes you want to get up in the morning. The selection might not be the largest I have ever had, but it certainly scores highest on quality. Swiss bakeries and their bread are in my opinion the best in the world, and the hotel's morning buffet is a delightful tribute to this.||||The location of the hotel could not be better you have spectacular views of two valleys and their beautiful white-capped mountains. The hotel is at the northeast end of Samedan, and it takes two minutes to get to the centre of the town. Pontresina and St. Moritz are within a radius of five kilometers, and you are situated in the middle of the most magnificent hiking and glorious mountain biking landscape imaginable. ||||What's more, if you stay more than two nights, you get a free chip-travelcard (for a deposit of 50 francs), allowing you to use all the lifts, buses and even the charmingly toy-like Rhätische Bahn train in the Engadin region for absolutely nothing!||||If you are looking for a base for your outdoor adventures in an unbeatable mountain region, and you want a small, friendly and charming lodging, with or without family, then this is the place for you. It may be small, but in my mind it is an undiscovered gem, and a beacon of Swiss hospitality and excellence. I would recommend it to anyone and everyone.