Bastion Hotel Rotterdam Zuid

The tomato soup was especially good, and the chefs made the food taste superb. The rooms were clean, too. Just be prepared for a long wait at mealtimes: come early, because food can take hours to arrive. You might even go for a walk and find your meal still hasn’t shown up when you get back. The reception staff seemed inexperienced.

There’s no late night food service, so if you arrive late you’ll have to head out to eat. The fenced surroundings also feel uninviting. For a night’s stay or a business trip by car, though, it’s practical, with free parking, a coffee machine, and polite staff. It’s mostly clean but outdated, and felt more like a hostel than a hotel. The room is small but fair for the price. The bed is very soft, has little edge support, and comes with just one pillow, which won’t suit everyone. The bathroom was clean, but I missed having a shelf in the shower for toiletries. There’s a large TV, a Port of Rotterdam poster, and two coffee capsules for a single guest staying one night, a thoughtful touch. The view is of a petrol station. At first the elevators were confusing, but the right one is beside the entrance and easy enough to find. Good enough if you don’t expect much comfort or dining choice. The room is small, the bed is soft, and there’s nowhere to put shower gel in the bathroom.

The staff were really nice, and the rooms were okay for a short stay, though a bit dated with old heaters and worn furniture. The location isn’t great either: there’s no metro nearby, just an infrequent bus. I’d recommend it for a one night stopover or a short, lower budget trip.

I first stayed here four years ago, and coming back today, I found they’ve kept their standards high. The hotel, staff, and food are all perfect.