ABA Hotel^{(2 stars)}

The room was big, however unlovingly decorated (no pictures, no bedside lamps), equipped with tiny bathroom.

The staff were friendly to my face, but that they didn't help me either to find a working phone or rather a telephone wire anywhere nor do anything about the noise the disco made. I got a stinky smokers room, although I had ordered a non-smoking room. The room was not cleaned. The bed at least changed.

During the book fair I paid 170 euros for the room, although the standard was that of a youth hostel in Usebkistan, without insulting the Uzbeks. The room phone didn't work, thanks to a lack of telephone wire, the room was not cleaned, basic things like lamps or soap missing, by the window you could smell cooking and between two and four o'clock in the morning blasting music from a disco (during the week). The elevator caused a terrible racket. I could not sleep until four o'clock am. Because I was already disgusted, I skipped breakfast and can't say anything about it. The employees were polite, but not helpful. To the other guests I can't say anything but several had complained about the disco noise. A drunk man staggered towards me. Further guests I did not want to get to know. My room was out the back and there was a fire escape down that lead down to the courtyard that was in turn open to the public. I didn't feel safe.

In the middle of the red light district, I as a woman travelling alone didn't feel safe. Everywhere there were aggressive looking men hanging around. The main station is within walking distance and also to the trade fair, however after dark it is so terrifying that I had to get a taxi into town even though I could have walked.