Van der Valk Theaterhotel Almelo

I’ll choose this hotel again when I return. My room was clean, comfortable, and had everything I needed. The shower matters a lot to me, and this one didn’t disappoint. I was on the second half of a long work trip and needed laundry done, but there are no laundromats nearby and the hotel service couldn’t finish it in time. One of the front desk staff helped me get it done in a day, and I’m really grateful. The weather wasn’t good for sightseeing during my first visit to Almelo, but the hotel is near plenty of good restaurants and a few shops. There are a couple of nice restaurants and a bar on site with great staff, so we didn’t need to go far for food. It also has a pretty extensive entertainment area with karaoke rooms, private theaters, bowling lanes, and a pool table room, all for an additional cost.

What stayed with me most was the lack of empathy, accountability, and customer care after I received a €139 fine. I felt unsupported and unfairly treated. Before arriving and again at check-in, after 11pm, I asked the front desk about parking and showed them where my car was. They said it was okay to park there if a space was available, so I did. The next morning, I found the fine for illegal parking. When I brought it up, reception offered no help or understanding. The manager denied responsibility and even questioned whether I’d asked for directions. He also said the night staff were outsourced and therefore not their responsibility. From a guest’s point of view, anyone at the reception desk represents Van der Valk Theaterhotel Almelo.

The location is excellent, with lots of great restaurants nearby. The Christmas decorations were beautiful, although the scent in the shared areas, possibly from scented candles, was a bit overpowering. Our stay was fine, but some service details felt less welcoming than at other hotels we’ve visited. When we asked for an extra towel, we were told it would take an hour, which made us uncomfortable. Service could be slow, and the uniforms seemed impractical rather than professional. The food varied too: our pizza bianca was soggy and chewy. They took it off the bill, but the way they handled it felt awkward. Is there no floor manager in a place like that? The spa could be good, but it seemed understaffed or under-serviced. There were only a few towels and not much water in the gym, and the changing rooms had no place for babies or toddlers to change.

Everything was lovely, and our waiter Maarten took it up a notch. He’s genuinely such a nice, funny guy, and the service he gave us really made our day. My wife and I wish him all the best. The world needs more people like him. Thank you.