The Historic Huis ter Duin

The renovated rooms are thoughtfully designed and have a great view, and the outdoor terrace is a lovely, unusual place to enjoy a sunny day. But the room started out dusty and a little musty, and wasn't cleaned after the first night. We asked for the turndown service offered in an email and never got it. I also asked for ideas to make a birthday feel special and got no reply. The rest of the building is in terrible condition and feels far past its time. It doesn't feel like a grand hotel or offer anything close to a high-class experience. The huge building seems like an attempt to cash in on whatever remains of its former glory, and the imitation of luxury is almost funny. Around 80% of the staff seemed to be in their teens or early 20s. They were friendly, but seemed unsure what to do, and mostly just wandered around staring into space. I would have shared all this in person if anyone had asked, but the inexperienced staff seemed able to manage little beyond a friendly hello.

I had a pleasant stay in a really nice, atmospheric hotel with good service. For a five-star place, I expected better amenities. The bath looked far too old, and the swimming pool was a bit of a letdown.

It's a little dated and tired, but the service was superb and the staff were helpful.

Top place.