Vigor Hotel in Novi Sad

Before I arrived at Vigor Hotel during the second summer of the Pandemic, I read reviews that talked about a difficult to tolerate smell. The nightly rate seemed attractive, so I thought I’d drop by to see if the hotel could be suitable. I was driving so not much effort would be required to get away. **The hotel has rooms on two or more floors (and no elevator/lift). **The front desk person showed me a room along the busier of the two streets on which the hotel is located and with a view of the parking lot and grindingly loud exterior HVAC system located immediately to the left of the room’s only window. **And yes, an aroma much like sewage was evident. I thought, for the bargain rate at the time, I’d give it a shot by opening the room door and the window on the far side of the room to create a cross breeze and see if that could eliminate the effect. And it did. **Why they chose to show me this room I can only put down to the rate I negotiated by email a day or so before arriving. The hotel appeared to be minimally occupied from the low number of breakfast attendees. **I guess I adapted because I ended up staying about 3 nights. **But first I had to get around reception’s attempt to keep my passport at check-in. As is customary in Eastern Europe, hotels try very hard to gain possession of the guest’s passport at check-in and keep it as insurance that you’ll pay your bill. The guest’s firm refusal to lose control of the passport brings an end to that discussion. Here’s what I experienced once checked in: **Very pleasant, accommodating, gracious, friendly, helpful staff. They made great suggestions for getting around, what to see, where to go, and where to eat. I had not yet met the manager. **The room, grounds, and neighborhood were quiet at night. And I don’t recall nighttime noise from the HVAC system right outside beside my room. I’m guessing the air conditioning was off all night. And although August I left my window open while sleeping and found the air temperature to be comfortable for me. **Overall, I was comfortable at Vigor Hotel. I love Novi Sad and I was happy to spend time in the city and be out of the busier, more expensive, and difficult to park in Old Town tourist area. (Without the use of a vehicle, it would be inconvenient to stay at Vigor Hotel). **Breakfast was really bad: Dry cereal, greasy sausage, tasteless cheese, weak coffee, and surly breakfast room attendants. **Although the hotel, for what I paid, was adequate, I would not stay there again. You can find better places to stay elsewhere in town and at an attractive rate. **As I was checking out, paying with Visa, with no complaints about the stay and no irregularities concerning the bill, the manager came out of his office to speak to me. I was mid-story telling the front desk person about an unpleasant staff event at breakfast that morning. At 9:55am a breakfast room attendant, about the right age, height, and appearance to perhaps be the mother of the man