Hotel van de Vijsel

The minimalist room had a comfy bed, though it was almost too warm to sleep. Getting to places on foot was easy, and there were no problems with the hotel. Breakfast was decent, with fresh bread, sliced meats and cheese, plus cooked options or cereal, and a machine offering different coffees. I’d recommend it to anyone.

The hotel was beautiful, in a great location, and the staff were really friendly. Our room was tidy and had a nice feel. The only drawback was the lack of natural light. We couldn’t open the blinds properly because we could see straight into other rooms, and they could see into ours. Maybe reflective window film could let guests look out without people looking in. Aside from that, it was an excellent stay and I’d definitely return.

The public spaces looked great, but carts left in the hallways day and night made the place feel far less inviting. It seemed there weren’t proper service rooms. I also had to wait outside the lobby door several times because only reception could open it from inside, and nobody noticed me until someone happened to be at the desk. The room was generally clean, but there were large cobwebs in a ceiling corner that had clearly been there a while. I had to point them out before they were cleaned. Even with daily housekeeping, visible dirt remained on the carpet. The mattress was much too soft and left me with back pain each morning. The bathroom had no counter by the sink for toiletries or shelf in the shower. Its lighting was too dim for shaving or makeup, and the toilet paper holder was awkwardly placed. Towels were left on the bed because there was no shelf or proper hanger in the bathroom, so I had to step out wet to get one each day. There was enough room for a sofa or seating area, but neither was provided. There was also no minibar or complimentary water. The coffee supplies didn’t match, with four capsules but only two sugars and milk powders. It all felt poorly thought through. The design is beautiful, but the functionality and attention to detail were often missing. Small fixes could make a big difference. As it stands, the experience doesn’t justify the price when nearby hotels offer better value.

The location was ideal, the room was clean with nice decor, and the staff were friendly and welcoming. We enjoyed the included breakfast, which had a good selection. The room, number 203, was very warm and stuffy even in winter. We opened the balcony door, but that didn’t help, and running the air-conditioning all night made little difference. Maybe it was just our room, but it would put me off staying here in summer. Even so, I’d still recommend the hotel.