Van der Valk Hotel Haarlem (Haarlem, Netherlands)

Not actually in the noisy city center, but it's within easy reach and walkable. The new annex to the hotel is really appealing and it's mainly motorway to the center of town.

Dining isn't a problem; the hotel offers plenty of options. In addition and less than a mile away, you'll find inviting restaurants including Down Town Coffee, Arlemein Spijshuis (*try saying that after a wine or two!) and Bams.

Always very friendly and helpful; they'll take time out to provide maps and guide you to wherever you want to go. It must be a real pain - but they never show it! Very patient. Throughout the hotel, staff are helpful and courteous; with the possible exception of housekeeping management staff who seem strangely detached from reality and can barely exchange a 'good morning'.

The new bit of the hotel is OK but the older section, not so much. Stuck in a time warp!

The bar and restaurant bring a new meaning to the word 'dated'. The gymnasium isn't 'fit' for purpose and the disabled parking spaces inadequate .. given the number of guests with reduced mobility problems.

For hotels with this high rating, bed linen should be changed on a more regular basis and one would have thought that there would be a swimming pool provision - but, no!