Blankenberge Hôtels d’affaires

"We arrived at 2:30 PM, hoping to either check in early or at least drop off our luggage. At the front desk, a young lady was deeply engaged in an epic conversation with someone — so engrossed, in fact, that basic human customs like saying “hello” seemed to have been abolished. Two other staff members were in the breakfast area: one vacuuming with headphones on like a DJ at a cleaning rave, the other busy with chores. After 15 minutes of quality time staring at the unmanned reception desk, another guest arrived with a key issue, went hunting for staff, and — jackpot! — found someone in an office. This person immediately helped him first, while we were still perfecting our “patient guest” posture. When we pointed out we’d been waiting for 15 minutes, we got a curt “Check-in is at 3 PM”. Apparently, in this hotel, time travel to 3:00 is a requirement for customer service. We had booked a “Privilege” room at €253 — which, for that price, should at least come with a smile. Instead, we got the staff’s undivided attention… to their phones. The next morning, we discovered the shower soap dispenser was a proud, empty monument to forgotten housekeeping. For an Accor Group hotel, this was a four-star experience only if you count the stars you see after banging your head in frustration."