Nervous about Grand Pupp

Hi Folks,

My husband and I are booked on a two week tour this summer to Prague, Budapest, Vienna and Karlovy Vary from July 17 - July 29. Although not my favourite way to travel, my husband and I felt this made the most sense for seeing this part of Europe. We are booked at the Grand Pupp for 3 nights, but upon reading recent reviews about it, I%26#39;m fearful of what to expect. There was talk of cockroaches, bed bugs, rotting wallpaper and theft in the casino. To confuse matters even more, prior reviews raved about the Pupp, so bottom line - what should we expect?

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My own personal analysis of this problem, and this has been backed up to a certain extent by a friend who does a lot of work there, is that unless you are a movie star or a Russian oligarch (who are willing to fork out vast tips), don%26#39;t expect the staff to pull out all the stops. It is the grandest hotel by far in KV, and therefore it is a magnet for such types (especialy wealthy Russians), but by all accounts there are other places in the city that are less afflicted, but no less comfortable (and cheaper, too) - if it is at all possible to reconsider without making a financial loss, I would do so. Otherwise just %26#39;go with the flow%26#39; and the chances are that you will love the place!

It is a similar story with the Four Seasons in Prague, who really know how to make you feel like a second-class citizen :)

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Thanks for your feedback, GCEK. We%26#39;re locked into staying with the tour, so in all probability wouldn%26#39;t be able to make a hotel change. It%26#39;s a package deal. I%26#39;m less concerned about snobbery on the part of the staff as I am about dirt and bugs. I loath dirty hotels, especially when paying top dollar. I%26#39;m second generation Russian. Does that count for anything???

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I have only heard about the snobbery, not any uncleanliness, so I reckon you will be all right on that score. If you can speak Russian it might be an interesting (and fun) experiment to see what happens if you do :)

However, from my experience of five-star hotels throughout Europe (purely on business - I would never pay to stay in one :) ) I find that they generally tend to be grubbier and more impersonal than the family-run (and much cheaper) smaller places/bed and breakfasts, so I steer well clear of them when travelling for pleasure!

Have a good stay - KV is very beautiful so you won%26#39;t need to spend much time in the hotel anyway.

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Thanks for prompt reply, GCEK. Unfortunately, no Russian coming from me. I think the grandparents stopped using it once off the boat! As for Pupp, I%26#39;ll keep my fingers crossed and hope for no %26#39;creepy%26#39; surprises.

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I%26#39;m sure you%26#39;ll be fine :) Let us know how you got on.

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funnybone, I have stayed at the Grand Hotel Pupp a couple of times over the last year. The last time I stayed there was September, 2007. Frankly, this is the nicest hotel I have stayed at in all of Europe. The place is immaculate. No bugs, no rotting wallpaper, or any signs of neglect. I hope that your experience there will be as good as mine. BG

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Hi,

Cool name, Spicewood Texas. Thanks for the feedback. I%26#39;ll write in about my experience once back from the trip.

Funnybone

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Dear Friends,

My experience reg Grand Pupp was the worst. They have overcharge us for things that we did not take and the best of it was their rudness of staff (at managerial level)

It was unexpectetly awful to have such reatment from such a hotel. We never excpected such a tretment.

I would suggest to all of you to be very carefull when visiting the place.

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kokos29

As a new poster welcome to the forum, may I suggest you also write a review about this hotel on the reveiw page.

TORII

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Hello kokos29 - welcome to the forum.

Sorry about your experience in the Pupp hotel, mine was exactly the opposite, I was very happy with my one and only stay. Sometimes hotels include items on your bill in error, that%26#39;s why it needs to be checked before paying.

Can you be more specific, for the benefit of future travellers, of your problems in the hotel? When and for how long did you stay?

Regards Penny