Fletcher Hotel-Restaurant De Oude Gevangenis-Alkmaar

Our modern room for three on the second floor was clean, and the hotel grounds felt pleasant and welcoming. Staff at reception were polite, and check-in and check-out were straightforward. The main issue was the bedding: the pillows were unusually thick and hard. There were also only two outlets outside the bathroom and none by the second bed, which is awkward when three people each need to charge a phone. You can drive to Alkmaar in a short time, but it isn’t walkable; I’d park in a garage outside the city. Hotel parking costs €10 and breakfast is €18.

The rooms were very nice and the whole stay was a good experience. The buffet was good, though nothing especially memorable, and the showers could do with an upgrade. It’s a great, very authentic hotel.

The breakfast was a lovely start to the day, and the hotel is only a short walk from the town center. The Fallon Hotel Alkmaar is a former prison with its own quirky character, mixing original brickwork with modern furnishings and plush beds. The rooms were spotless, with sumptuous linens that made for a blissful night’s sleep. There’s a sophisticated feel in the lobby, with art that makes it seem more like a gallery. Each room has its own story, and the place blends history with luxury in a way that makes the stay feel like an experience.

I stayed for two days and the room was never cleaned. I put up the sign and was told the cleaner would come after 2 pm. I also told reception, but nobody seemed to care. Very bad service and a bad experience. I wouldn’t recommend this hotel again.