I would rate this hotel 4 out of 5 stars.
The Grand Hotel Excelsior offers everything you would expect from a five-star resort: indoor and outdoor swimming pools, a well-equipped fitness center, multiple restaurants and bars, and excellent amenities. The hotel is also spotless, very well maintained, and the staff is genuinely attentive and welcoming.
That said, the property feels frozen in the early 2010s and is due for a major renovation. The exterior showed significant peeling paint in several areas, some of the furniture was noticeably worn, and there were no power outlets near the beds, making it inconvenient to charge phones and other devices overnight. The lack of USB charging ports—other than on the television—was also disappointing for a hotel of this category.
Despite these shortcomings, the atmosphere and service made for a pleasant stay. I especially enjoyed the souvenir shop and appreciated that the hotel has a renowned pastry chef, which was reflected in the quality of the desserts. With some modernization, this hotel could once again fully live up to its five-star rating.
Free parking