Faber

The train station is only a few minutes away, which made getting around easy. My wife and I had a lovely stay at Hotel Faber, with a great breakfast and staff who were both friendly and helpful. I’d recommend it to anyone considering a stay here.

The rooms were comfortable and the bathrooms a good size, and breakfast had an overwhelming range of healthy options if that’s what you like. It’s well placed for both the beach and downtown, with parking available and a backyard where you can leave bikes; that area is locked at 10pm. Most of all, this family-run hotel stood out for its excellent service and extra-friendly welcome. It seems popular with German guests.

The biggest problem for us was getting any sleep. Our room had almost no soundproofing, so we could hear speeding cars, barking dogs, lots of seagulls and other guests through the night. Stripe curtains let in enough light to read by 5:30AM, and my partner and I couldn’t sleep past 5:20AM on either night. Without double glazing, the room also heated up quickly, and the synthetic duvet made us sweat, adding to the rough nights. The hotel is a 32-room family place in a good spot in Zaandvoort. Our room was large, comfortable, very clean and well maintained, with a great bed. The building has three floors, no elevator, and steep, narrow stairs, which may matter depending on your mobility. The common areas felt dated, with stuffed boar heads, deer skulls and odd paintings that made them look like a 1960s hunting lodge or a strange art museum. The evening host was extremely cold. Coffee and croissants were unpleasant industrial products, though the fresh orange juice was pretty good. We did appreciate that the owners agreed to cancel and refund our two remaining nights without a fee. That was a kind gesture.

The breakfast buffet had lots of options and was delicious, and the beds were comfortable. The staff were helpful and around when we needed them. A woman serving breakfast wore a Dutch folk costume, and the hotel is filled with original paintings of local landscapes and portraits. Those details give the place a special charm. It was a charming stay and good value for money.