Grand Hotel Karel V Utrecht

The Grand Hotel Karel V is a very impressive 5* hotel with a canalside location, impressive gardens and well-furnished rooms.

I’d never stayed in a 5* hotel prior to this visit (and never been particularly keen to do so!), but thanks to a special offer on the Internet (via www.travel-holland.co.uk) this was too good an opportunity to miss. At just 69 Euros per night, the cost was less than I was being quoted for a room in a bed and breakfast!

The cost did not include breakfast (which I believe was an extra 25 Euros or more!), but breakfast was optional so I simply chose not to have breakfast in the hotel.

I was given a room on the top floor of the hotel, an extremely well-furnished, converted loft, complete with wooden beams and two large windows.

The room was naturally en-suite, with a very spacious and well-equipped bathroom, and other furniture included a writing desk, a full-length mirror, two comfortable armchairs and a number of large lamps.

Most impressive was the large selection of teas (any flavour imaginable), coffees and biscuits (for free!!) provided in a large wooden tea chest. Another novelty was the appearance of one of the hotel’s staff at my door with complimentary chocolates!!

Classical music is piped throughout the hotel, providing a very calming ambience.

All in all, a very enjoyable stay and this would always be my first choice accommodation if I ever return to Utrecht, price permitting!

The Karel is perfect for many reasons. It is a 10 minute or less walk from Central Station. It is the only 5 star hotel in Utrecht, placed in a residential area across from a canal and lovely park/walking area. I could easily get to the trains, buses, shopping, museums and the Dom in a few minutes walking.

Unique Quality: The views from the rooms are lovely, you look onto the gardens or the park areas. It is near everything but I never heard the street noise, even with the windows open. The rooms themselves are gorgeous and very luxurious. The coffee service is very generous , I quicly became addicted to afternoon coffee.

Directions: Exit Hoog Cathjerine turn left. Cross the street, over the bridge, cross the next street, immediately cross the street to your right. Walk a block past the lovely homes, behind the gates to the left.

I love this hotel. It is an old building (from the 1800's) that was originally built by Louis Napoleon for a military hospital.
Despite it being in the city center it has a sizeable garden on the back that protects you from the hubbub of the city center.

The standard room is small (maybe 250-275sqft) but very comfortably appointed. The location is great since you can walk to the old canal, the tower church, hoog catharin shopping center and the Utrecht central train station.

The rates directly from the hotel is around euro 150-180 for standard room, but I got great rates (around euro 100) through www.weekendjeweg.nl

Directions: About 4000ft Southeast of Utrecht central train station