Hotel Nassau Breda, Autograph Collection by Marriott

Right in historic Breda, the hotel is a short walk from the cathedral, market square, castle, shops and plenty of good cafés. It’s a lovely fit for the Autograph Collection of historic hotels. The former rooms now house a bar, and the old chapel has tasteful decor and can host a large party. Meeting rooms are beautifully furnished, too. This was once a 19th-century monastery and orphanage, and its restoration preserves the building’s details and stories.

I don’t recommend staying here. My colleagues spend a lot at this hotel, and I’m part of a $15B corporation with two divisions in the area, but that loyalty counted for nothing when I asked to cancel my last night after a five-day stay. I was three hours inside the 24-hour cancellation window and still got charged for the extra day so I could move closer to the airport. There was no consideration or common sense. Room service also didn’t come day to day, so towels piled up and the room wasn’t kept clean. The hotel itself is nice and the staff are pleasant enough, but the ownership seems focused on greed over the customer experience. After 25 years in sales, I don’t think that’s how you grow a business. I’ll stay elsewhere and tell my colleagues about this experience. Thx. Jonathan

I was a little puzzled by the bathroom having no door. That’s fine if you’re on your own, but I didn’t find it comfortable. Valet parking means you can hand over the keys and relax after dealing with traffic. The staff were very courteous and thoughtful, and the location is handy for walking to most things you’d want to do in town. The history and decor are interesting.

The mattress was amazing, easily the most comfortable I’ve slept on in a hotel, and the pillows were good too. The room was very quiet, and the mini fridge was a nice touch. My Junior Suite was spacious, though the toilet doors were frosted glass with big gaps, so privacy was lacking. The bath-shower was better than I usually find, with a large, well-positioned shower head, but the tub was slippery getting out and could be dangerous for some. There was no hand soap, and the shower gel bottle wouldn’t dispense. I didn’t use the TV or WiFi enough to comment. Check-in was quick and easy. In the evening, bar service was so slow that we waited around five minutes before anyone acknowledged us. We were close to giving up and going elsewhere, but stayed for the welcome drink. Breakfast was an average buffet with an okay selection, perhaps because we ate at 10:30 and it closes at 11. We used points for the Friday night and upgraded through my Marriott Bonvoy status. Parking was at a nearby multi-storey garage. Its lift was out of service, so carrying suitcases up and down the stairs was a pain, though that wasn’t the hotel’s fault. The hotel seemed to be in a good area, close to restaurants.