Smart Stay Hotel Station (Munich, Germany)

As well as being less than five minutes' walk away from Munich's cavernous Hauptbahnhof train and metro station, Smart Stay Hotel Station is located within easy reach of the myriad bars, cafes, shops and grocery stores scattered around the pedestrianised city centre. Very convenient indeed.

It's fair to say the guest rooms here are pretty straightforward (indeed some might say Spartan). Despite this though, the beds are really very comfy indeed. A nice and very welcome surprise.

Amiable, professional and always ready to flash a smile; the staff here do a good job of making you feel like you're more than just a number. Impressive customer service credentials.

Many of the corridors and guest rooms here look like they are long overdue a refurbishment. Take the stained carpets and scuffed skirting boards away and it would actually be a rather attractive looking place.

It's good that the hotel's Wi-Fi can now be accessed free of charge (you used to have to pay for it).  However, many visitors have found the performance of this newly gratis service to be less than impressive. Something to bear in mind if you rely on the Internet for work...

It is somewhat inevitable that a hotel with such a convenient city centre location is sometimes beset by noise seeping out of nearby late-night bars and clubs. Be sure to pack some ear plugs if you're a light sleeper.