Hotel Carillon

We loved staying right on Grote Market, opposite the 14th-century church that gives Hotel Carillon its name. Cafes and pubs line the square, and most nights we mainly heard the crowds, which made pleasant background noise. On Saturday, though, music carried on until around 4am. The restaurant below had a very different feel by day and night, though I can’t comment on its food. The location is hard to beat, and while the price seemed a little high, it was still competitive for this part of the city. Haarlem can be expensive for short stays, and Carillon’s rates vary by room, season, and day, but they were cheaper and more consistent than hotel rates we saw elsewhere. The room was clean and had its own facilities. The IKEA furnishings gave it a bit of a landlord-special feel, but they did the job. The building is historic, so the stairs are narrow and steep. We managed our medium-sized luggage, but we’re active and under 30, so pack light if that might be an issue. Check-in and checkout were easy, though basic. They offered to keep our bags if we arrived early or wanted to explore after checkout. Around the corner there’s a city-run bike locker, free during the day and 50c at night. I’d use it if renting a bike, since the square often has stalls and markets and the parking rules aren’t all clearly signposted. There’s nothing fancy about the place, but it worked well for us in a heritage building on the historic Grote Market square. We’d try to book it again next time we visit Haarlem.

The square is a great location, though rooms at the front can be noisy. It’s a historic building, so there’s no elevator and the stairs are steep. Think about whether you’d rather have the atmosphere or a quieter, more comfortable stay.

The location is excellent, close to restaurants, coffeeshops, fashion outlets, and both the bus and train stations. For my F1 holiday, this was a budget-friendly place to sleep, and the room itself was fine for a city break. Just don’t expect luxury. On my first night, people were running around on the rooftop terrace above me all night, which was a strange experience. The staff weren’t helpful when my door card stopped working on the second night. There’s no front desk, so I went to the restaurant. They’d already messed up my check-in the night before, then rudely questioned why I was in the hotel. If you arrive very early or late, don’t count on being able to check in.

The food was so good, and the prices were fair. Friendly staff and a perfect spot right in the city centre. Unforgettable, and Nazar is sooo cute, I’d actually have children with him.