Fletcher Hotel-Restaurant Amersfoort

It's a typical Fletcher Hotel, with basic but good rooms. Ours was a little noisy, though not too bad. The staff were very friendly and helpful, as usual. Breakfast was nice, and there was a good choice for the evening meal.

The filthy condition of this place is the main reason I'd never stay at another "Fletcher". We'd come all the way from Australia and were exhausted, or we would have left immediately. The "luxury double room" had chewing gum hardened into a black lump on the carpet, a corner full of stale snack crumbs and a nut that hadn't been vacuumed during our stay, and possibly hadn't been for years. There was a curled black pubic hair in the tub that couldn't have been mine, since I'd just checked in. Everything was run down, with dents and scratches all over. A dark yellow ring marked the underside of the toilet seat, the bathroom door lock was loose and only shut if forced, and grout covered the shower. The hotel isn't even that old, it's just not looked after. A bit of paint would help, but apparently that investment isn't on Fletccher's agenda. There's a strict no-noise policy, yet someone was using a power drill for repairs at 10 pm. The place felt like one big joke. For somewhere calling itself a business hotel, it was grotesque. Basic amenities found at other places at this price were missing. The "luxury room" wasn't even the cheapest option, though it seemed to have space and connections for a fridge that was no longer there. The safe didn't work either. The bathroom did have stylish cardboard cups, one per guest, but don't expect a new one every day. For a start to your "business-day", there were exactly two sachets of instant coffee and three tea choices. Check-in staff were OK, though not welcoming. At checkout, staff were immature, rude, and unable to de-escalate. They tried to bad-mouth us in Dutch, apparently assuming we didn't speak it, then rolled their eyes and mimicked my anger with mocking dog barks to other customers. In 30 years of traveling the world, I'd never been treated that way. They insulted us, directly and indirectly, ignored our grievances, and made no attempt to help. They watched me squeeze luggage into the tiny elevator and struggle to get it moving. Only after I kicked the bottom panel in anger did someone explain that I had to stand between the bags and press and hold the button. They seemed amused. That's way outside acceptable behavior. The sign says the elevator is for one person maximum, in a 4-star business hotel. The laminated menu also gives reception's number, 9, but there's no phone. It felt like a comedy, except it wasn't funny. For the price, this is nowhere near good value. I've stayed in cleaner youth hostels, and paid a third less for places ten times better. When I asked for the hotel manager, I was told there wasn't one. Then a "representative" told us to contact that person for a refund, which captures the whole approach: borderline fraudulent. I'll never set foot in any "Fletchers" again, and I've advised every friend, colleague, and peer to do the same. This 'dumpque' should lose all its stars. It's barely at the cleanliness level of a youth hostel.

The hotel is in the forest, though maybe we were unlucky with the view. The rooms are nice but nothing special. Staff are all polite and nice, though some more so than others. At the restaurant it's a bit hit or miss, but the staff there are friendly, even if some seem young and inexperienced. It's a nice, affordable option, and I'll probably visit again.

The entrance has an Eagles lyric from "Hotel California": "You can check-out any time you like, but you can never leave." I liked the quote, but it doesn't fit this hotel. After the stay, the place left me with a strange feeling. It's very old, the rooms smell old, everything inside is dusty, and there's a gloomy sense of antiquity. I don't mind an old hotel if it's clean and maintained, but this one wasn't. The bathroom was scratched and dirty. The shower soap dispenser was broken, and the overhead shower was clogged, with water failing to come from half the holes. I had to clean it myself after a long journey, which isn't what you want. There's a lot going against the place. The upside is how quiet and peaceful it is, and the nature around it is beautiful. If all you want is a room to sleep in, it might be decent for the price during the season. But for a cosy stay, especially with a partner, I'd strongly suggest looking elsewhere. "You'll Never Guess What Happened on My 40th Birthday in Putten!" 💜 LIFE.GAME - Better watch a video about it on YouTube.