My husband I were visiting Dusseldorf for one night – a Saturday night. Unfortunately we arrived into the city too late to visit the shopping streets. Everything in Dusseldorf closes at 4pm on Saturday and all shopping is closed on Sundays.

We stayed at the Hotel Orangerie ------ - I’m citing the web address because it wasn’t easy for me to find this hotel on the internet).

We paid a rate of 100 EU per night inclusive of tax, service and full breakfast. We were in room 12. The hotel has an elevator so you can easily carry your own luggage. The room was small; there was a double bed, small table with chair and a small TV. There is an electronic safe in the closet. The room’s windows overlooked to the side street and literally 15 feet across from our window was the Kunsthalle Dusseldorf museum. We could see into the museum’s exhibits that’s how close we were.

Our room was a smoking room but it honestly did not smell of smoke; something I am very sensitive to. The bathroom was not large and only has a shower stall; it comes with a hair dryer. There are no bathroom amenities available other than soap so be sure to bring your own. Keep in mind that if you are going during warm seasons the room did not have any air conditioning. Be sure to inquire about this if it is important to you.

The hotel is located well for easy quick 2-3 minute walking to Alstadt and the Rhein is 1 block away. For dinner we asked the front desk clerk for a recommendation to an Italian restaurant and she simply motioned to the general direction to walk to and that we could find plenty “there”. She was not helpful at all. We did happen upon a very good Italian restaurant. It’s name I can’t recall now but it’s diagonally across from Fischhaus, a very popular seafood restaurant on Bergerstrasse 3-7. If you are facing Fischhaus the Italian restaurant is behind you and to the right. They have a great menu and it’s authentic. They also gave us Limoncello on the house.

The breakfast the next morning was very extensive and makes the 100 EU rate worth it. There was everything from cheeses and breads to yogurt and fruit; cereal, fresh juice and eggs with sausage. Note that breakfast is included in all rates. Although breakfast is offered there is no restaurant and no room service.

After breakfast we asked for a late check out to 1pm and were declined without any reason given and the click of the telephone. When we checked out we asked to leave our bags while we walked around before we had to catch our train. We were told to leave them in the room in the back. The room was a conference room; it was not locked and there were other bags there as well. We were not issued a tag or ticket for our bags. We were reluctant to leave the bags so obviously unattended (especially since we had a laptop) but we took the risk. Luckily everything was there when we returned. So just note that if you have to leave bags it is truly at your own risk.

I would recommend Hotel Orangerie for it’s location, breakfast and cheap rate. But it’s service and friendliness is seriously lacking; maybe that is what is reflected in the rate. You would think that it would be different at such a small establishment but in fact all the staff we encountered were not friendly at all as if they didn’t realize they worked in the service industry. I don't consider not honoring a late check-out request as a bad point since that is not something that is expected but I do think a simple reason (such as sorry we have 30 people checking in this morning) is something that can be expected. If service is not important to you and you just want a good location with a clean room then this may be a good bet.