Boutique Hotel De Doelen

Being right in the center made it easy to reach restaurants and sights, and the staff were some of the kindest and most attentive I’ve come across in years. Room 301 was spacious, especially the huge bathroom, bigger than any we’d had on earlier trips to the Netherlands. This boutique hotel is our first choice for Groningen now. We’ll definitely be back. ❤️

The building has a lot of charm, and the church views are beautiful. Even though it’s on the main square, the insulation keeps the place wonderfully quiet. I was greeted by a handwritten welcome note on the bed, and the staff were so friendly. Looking forward to coming back.

I’ve traveled often, and finding a dirty room is a deal-breaker for me. There was a sock left behind by the previous guest, so I didn’t think the room had even been vacuumed. I felt sick at the sight and didn’t want to touch anything, including the breakfast. The room was dim with hardly any power sockets, and the key was so heavy it was awkward to carry. Getting to reception means climbing very steep, slippery stairs, so it’s not step-free and would be difficult if you have mobility issues. The reception staff were often busy chatting with friends, and I had to wait for them to finish before I could make a request. I stayed twice, but after this last visit I wouldn’t come back.

The front desk apologized when I described the stay the next morning, but all they could offer was one plastic drink token each. We were already leaving, so that did little to help. The room felt grimy, the carpet looked disgusting, and we even spotted a cockroach. Worst of all, the bed was physically painful to sleep in. The mattress felt like it hadn’t been changed in 50 years, and the floor might have been more comfortable. I’m still thinking about that awful August stay. I wouldn’t recommend this hotel.