penta hotel Rostock - Rostock, Germany     

Based on a two-night stay with my wife for pleasure (visiting the International Garden Show) we had the impression of a very good and well run hotel. We were accommodated in a very spacious room, probably one of the best, and quite reasonably priced, too. Clean all over, nice and helpful staff, a rather costly subterranean parking (22 Euros for 42 hours' parking) with direct lift to all floors. High security with electronic, card-based locks at all transitions. Excellent! BUT: Website brags of an excellent fish restaurant. The reality for us was: a very limited choice in asparagus-dishes in spite of high season. But their asparagus suds tasted fine. We had a very fine, dry white wine, as we tried the Rostock Fish Plate, which was recommended but proved to be potato slices burned to black crisps, carrots, green peppers, and squash, all boiled to a mash, and 5 different fish medaillons, all overcooked to a dry, tasteless, cardboard consistency. Without a doubt the worst restaurant meal we have experienced in years, and only my wife's reluctance to create a scene prevented us from returning it with a scream. Dessert became unrealistic after waiting for another 20+ minutes to see the menu, brought by a not very attentive waitress. A harbourside restaurant gave us the hoped-for gourmet pleasures the next night, and somewhat cheaper, too, so it can be done in Rostock. Otto Grove Senior consultant physician