Hotel Oberhausen Neue Mitte affiliated by Melia

A perfectly pleasant "high 3*"...

Liked: The staff member who greeted us on our arrival was very professional and nice, which was appreciated. We received a very clear explanation of how to get to our room and the shopping mall, which we were visiting. I loved the location of the hotel, right across the street from the Westfield shopping mall and a short bus/tram ride from the central station (hbf). The room was quite clean and I could tell that the bathroom had been recently refinished. To top it off, there were two free bottles of water!The room we stayed in was located in a quiet-ish area although we could hear neighbors through the wall/floor but the sound was muffled (I think it was the tv).
Disliked: I think what disappoints me is that this is supposed to be a 4* hotel and it isn't entirely clear to me why that is. The bar area is very utilitarian as is the breakfast/restaurant. There wasn't really anything upscale about those areas although the rest of the lobby had comfortable seating and was well appointed. The check-in process was super painfully long for every person I saw before me (and after when I had to go back downstairs to have my keycard activated). There are computers but they were operating VERY SLOWLY or the fact that the staff had to use both computers and also to write information in a binder might have attributed to it. I have never experienced such a slow check-in. It has to be noted that this was not due to the staff: both people seemed highly competent and the process in both lines was crazy long. As for the room, the quality of the materials used in the bathroom is not that of a 4* that I've ever experienced. While everything was clean, it was clear that the countertop was covered in some kind of formica-type material and the bathroom just gave off a feeling that it had been constructed with cheaply made materials. Also, the shower faucet was loose from the wall. I didn't see any toiletries such as shower cap, sewing kit, etc. in the room. I didn't miss them but usually there are some convenience items in the room.I've stayed at Melia properties before, including 4* and 5*, and this one would be better classed as a strong 3* imho. Now, the price I paid for the room certainly was a great deal so, if I had the chance to stay there for the same price, I definitely would.