Central stylish business hotel that almost gets it right

May 20, 2021, No comments

If the estate agent mantra about location is right, then the Hotel Walhalla has a trump card: its postion directly across from St Gallen station. It couldn’t be more convenient if it tried. The flipside of that is, of course, that the rooms with the view suffer from some noise.

I went to St Gallen to research a series of articles, so needed somewhere central, comfortable and not too expensive. The Walhalla ticks all those boxes. And it’s also rather stylish, if you like that retro feel: a throwback to the Sixties, but with every modern amenity.

My deluxe bedroom was great. Lots of space, minimalist but stylish and with a grandstand view of the station. I was glad I brought earplugs. Even with decent windows, you could still hear the buses and trams outside. Light sleepers should go for rooms at the back.

Sadly all the deluxe rooms face the front, so you must choose between bigger rooms with a view or smaller rooms that are quieter. Either way, they will be comfortable and super clean. It’s a very decent hotel that knows its market (mainly business travellers) but isn’t really that exciting.

Relaxing public areas are limited to a small bar and a bistro, currently open only for breakfast. Much of that was rather lacklustre but the bonus was possibly the best birchermüesli I’ve ever had in a Swiss hotel. The staff were efficient but not overly friendly.

Book direct here.

Overall rating: 75%

• Best bits: stylish décor, good value, central location.
• Worst bits: noisy square outside, basic breakfast, limited atmosphere.

I paid 118.40 francs per night for single use of a deluxe double room including breakfast.