Queens Hotel

We stayed in the Queen’s Apartments, so it doesn't seem fair to judge it against a hotel room experience. Still, the mattress was smaller than its frame, the pillow was too hard, and noise from the three nightclubs nearby was loud. The elevator also stopped working, which was a problem because we had a senior person with us who depended on it. Next time, I'd stay in the hotel part.

I came to Suriname alone for a two-week business trip, apart from my local business contacts. I didn't know Dutch or understand the currency, so arriving felt daunting. Before long, though, Queens Hotel felt like home. I've stayed in many places around the world, and I think this hotel is seriously underrated. What made the biggest difference was the staff. They listened to my questions and comments, did what they could to make me comfortable, and greeted me with smiles. They were friendly and seemed to care about my experience, while carrying themselves with the professionalism I'd expect at a much pricier hotel. The cleanliness was impressive too. People I spoke with over breakfast said the same about the cleaners' attention to detail and pride in their work. Coming back after a workday to such a welcoming place was a pleasure. There was a wide breakfast buffet: an omelette station, pancakes, cereal, yogurt, juice, cheeses, lots of breads including bagels, pastries, fruit, vegetables, fish, and chicken. That's just some of what was available. The on site restaurant by the pool had hot and cold options, including burgers and fries, and the saoto soup was the best I've had. My WiFi cut out occasionally, but when I mentioned it, the IT person quickly made the adjustments I needed. The location is right in the tourist part of town, within walking distance of nightlife, restaurants, sights, and activities, with a casino next door. The lobby felt clean, updated, and professional as soon as I walked in. It has computers for guests and enough room for people to hold small, informal meetings. It's also a warm place to sit and relax. There are a pool, jacuzzi, and gym. The gym is a large room on the second floor with treadmills, weights, a chest press, a bike, and more. It has windows, mirrors, and good airflow, so it didn't feel stuffy. I felt safe and well cared for while staying at Queens Hotel, and would recommend it for its service and cleanliness. My research beforehand hadn't prepared me for how pleasant the stay would be. The owners and staff have worked hard to upgrade the hotel, and it shows. If you're visiting Paramaribo, consider staying here. I think you may be as pleasantly surprised as I was.

The pool area was the only place our group could gather, but it was walled off and uninspiring. The photos make it look nicer, perhaps because they're older and taken from the best angle. While half the hotel was being rebuilt, there was no temporary lobby or restaurant, and nowhere to sit down for a drink or dinner. The breakfast room on the second floor was only open in the morning. Most rooms were fine, though some people in our group had issues like a leaking air conditioner or a broken safe. It's not a bad hotel, but until the rebuilding is finished, I wouldn't want to return.

Dear Queens hotel, my family and I stayed in a beautiful deluxe suite, but were very disappointed by the lack of amenities. There was no phone to call the front desk or order room service, the WiFi was poor or unavailable, and there was no iron. Your staff were very helpful, but there was only so much they could do. We're used to staying at 5 and 3 star hotels in the US, CANADA, and even SURINAME, so you can understand our frustration. We would have liked to recommend you to family and friends, but may have to reconsider for now.