I almost gave this property a one-star rating, but realized I should reserve that for a serious transgression such as rampant bed bugs or a shootout in a hotel.

I stayed here for 2 nights in a single room with a court tour group. I therefore don't know what the room price was, but I hope it wasn't much more than a youth hostel. It is a rundown, depressing place.

However, if this hotel room were my room as a first year undergraduate in residence, I would have been sufficiently pleased, as it is a generous size. Double bed, mini kitchenette, useful bedside lights. As it was, however, the decor was appalling. My favourite touch (which made it into a Facebook profile update - see photo attached) was the two empty picture frames hanging on the wall - they hadn't even removed the inserts.)

The grimy shower curtain was flimsy and too short - water got on the floor easily. There was mold around the shower stall. The shower temperature fluctuated between ice cold and scalding hot by moving the shower dial one mere centimetre - made it hard to take a shower. There was just the free-standing hand nozzle shower head - annoying because there was no caddy or guide to insert it into. So you had to wet your hair, turn water off, set shower head on taps, shampoo hair, etc. Not efficient. There was no separate conditioner or soap - just a squeeze tube mounted in the shower.

I had read an earlier review mentioning bed bugs, so I combed the bed and fortunately found none. Sheets seemed clean. In fact, I think the cleaning wasn't bad (although they don't take/clean dishes for you, which is fine - but just be aware. They do provide dish soap). It's harder to keep things looking clean when they are just old. As is much of this building and room.

The kitchen area smelled faintly of boiled eggs/spoiled milk/cheese, and the room itself smelled a bit stale and smoky.

The back view from the room was horrible - train tracks and a graffiti wall. The trains woke me up - there was one barrelling through at 3 a.m. both nights. So maybe request a room on the other side of the hotel if you value your sleep, as you are close to the tracks.

INTERNET - was not working at the time. When I asked when it was going to be fixed, I received a shrug. Also, apparently it is not free anyhow. I was invited to use the ethernet cables at the front table in the lobby, but couldn't get those to work. Was eventually able to log on the next day by being insistent at giving it a try (you need a passcode), even though the front desk staff was still insisting it was down. So if they tell you this, you should try it anyhow - I got it to work by logging onto the VictoriaGardenAccueil in the lobby, rather than the wireless VictoriaGarden account you're greeted with up in the room.

RUDENESS: There was a mid-50s guy at check-in and a young guy working nights who were nice. The breakfast ordeal was awful - apparently my tour group had prepaid for breakfasts, but I was charged 1.50 Euros as I wanted to take the coffee back to my room. Because I wanted two cups of coffee to drink, they tried to charge me another 1.50 Euro, even though if (as I verified with them) I were to sit in the restaurant I could drink all the coffee I wanted. There was an older lady who gave me a tray and was kind, but two younger girls (especially the one behind the front desk with the glasses) were extremely rude about it. They were seemingly accusing me of trying to steal coffee. I eventually just gave them back the other full coffee mug as I didn't want to pay for something twice, which was supposed to be "free" in the first place. Not a nice way to start the day. The above also took place very early in the morning with my rusty French - although I assure you in this case understanding and being understood wasn't a problem. Long story short: customer service and politeness receive a failing grade here.

Breakfast itself consisted of yogurt, mini croissants, Babybell cheese, orange juice, and apple compote. There may at one time have been some ham. I didn't eat breakfast, as I just tend to have coffee.

Room doors were difficult to open with the traditional keys - you have to turn and push the handle itself at the same time.

Location is OK but city center or near a tram stop (as opposed to the train tracks) is better.

All in all, this is a disappointing, dated, unfriendly hotel. I'm sure there are worse hotels out there, though. If your budget is a choice between this and sharing with 5 people in a hostel for the same price, then definitely stay here. But, if you can get a better room elsewhere for 20 Euros, do yourself a favour and avoid this awful place. Most everyone in my group seemed to feel the same way - if we go back to Strasbourg, we will NOT be staying here.

*Note: I think there is a different Victoria Garden hotel, but it is the Quality Inn one or something - this one is the worse one. I don't think they're connected in any way.*