Bastion Hotel Nijmegen

The room was generally fine, though it had no style or inspiration. The location was acceptable, but ongoing construction was disruptive and the signs were unclear. Service was the main problem: the front desk staff seemed unwelcoming and unprofessional, with no smiles and an emotional reaction when I gave feedback. After more than 20 years of business travel, this was among the worst service experiences I’ve had. If hospitality is meant to be a basic standard, the front desk staff could use retraining. Calling the place a hotel feels like an overstatement to me, a motel or hostel would fit better. I don’t usually leave negative reviews, but after this experience I wanted to share my view so future travelers can make an informed choice.

The hotel cancelled my confirmed booking, claiming my credit card details were missing. Yet they were already charging the full amount to my account, and there was nothing wrong with my card. I suspect the real reason was the 4-day march in Nijmegen: prices shoot up then, and I booked before they rose. After cancelling me, Bastion could sell the room for four times my booked rate. The hotline staff said they would look into my complaint, but never got back to me. This is a scam. If you need to be sure you’ll actually have a reservation when you travel, avoid Bastion.

The rooms were good, with tidy toilet and shower facilities, but there was no tea-making setup. I’d booked a double-bed room, only to be told at reception that it wasn’t registered that way and that only single beds were available. Breakfast was modest, okay at best, especially for the rather high price.

The location is a short drive from the city center and close to motorways linking to other major cities. The room was spacious and comfortable, and the bed was comfortable to sleep in. There was a leak under the sink, but it was fixed right away.