Focus Hotel Premium Pod Orlem in Bydgoszcz

The building has historic charm, but the place feels neglected. My room had a strong musty smell and didn’t match the photos online. For what I paid, I expected much better. Disappointing overall.

Room Quality: The initial room had thin, non-functional curtains with broken strings, allowing bright restaurant lights to flood in. No air conditioning or bug screens made it hot and unbearable. The replacement room, though in a different location, still lacked air conditioning and had similar heat issues, with the added disturbance of street tram noise.
Staff Service: Staff response was inadequate and dismissive. On the first night, the same problematic room type was reassigned despite complaints, and the staff questioned my credibility. Available better rooms were not offered, forcing a choice between noise or light disturbances. Gym access was misleadingly promised but restricted with condescending remarks, leading me to forgo using it. The gym itself was poorly maintained.
Details
Room Quality:
• Initial Room Issues: Assigned a room with thin curtains and a broken string mechanism, preventing closure. Bright booster lights from a nearby restaurant illuminated the room, making sleep difficult. The absence of air conditioning and bug screens on windows led to extreme heat and insect intrusion, rendering the room unbearable.
• Replacement Room Issues: After complaints, the new room, though relocated, still lacked air conditioning, maintaining the same heat issues. It faced a noisy street with trams, adding auditory disturbances, despite quieter rooms being available.
Staff Service:
• Room Change Ordeal: On the first night, when I requested a room change due to the curtain and light issues, the staff reassigned me to a room two floors higher, which had identical problems (no functional blinds). When I pointed out the issue and requested a room in a different part of the hotel, the staff lady implied I was exaggerating, claiming she had used the rooms earlier and found them fine. Only after checking did she acknowledge the issues but offered a room facing noisy trams, explicitly stating I had to choose between street noise or excessive light, despite better rooms being available.
• Gym Access Issues: Upon check-in, I was told the gym opened at 8 AM but could be accessed earlier upon request. However, the same staff member later denied early access, citing uncleaned conditions from the previous night. When I expressed willingness to use it regardless, she reluctantly provided the keys but warned me not to be noisy due to sleeping guests, which felt condescending. Frustrated, I declined to use the gym.
• Gym Condition: A later inspection revealed the gym had only four machines, one completely broken, and a non-functional bench press. Like the rooms, it lacked air conditioning, making it uncomfortable for use.
Nevertheless, rooms were clean and maintained properly