Blue

Blue, Nijmegen, a Michelin Key Selected property, offers a distinctive and highly-rated experience that blends modern design with the historic charm of its 19th-century buildings. Guests consistently praise its comfort, excellent service, and prime location in the heart of Nijmegen.

1. Overall Rating & Sentiment

The overall sentiment for Blue, Nijmegen is overwhelmingly positive, with guests frequently describing their stays as "excellent," "fantastic," and "super nice". The hotel consistently receives high scores, including a "fabulous" rating of 8.6 out of 10 based on over 1,200 reviews. Its selection as a Michelin Key property further underscores its commitment to quality and unique character.

2. Key Highlights

Guests consistently highlight several aspects of Blue, Nijmegen:

• Service & Staff: The friendly, helpful, and top-quality staff are a recurring highlight, often cited as making stays particularly enjoyable.
• Location: Its central location, perfect for exploring Nijmegen on foot, is a major draw.
• Design & Ambiance: The hotel's innovative design, combining modern aesthetics with the character of its historic townhouses, is much appreciated. The presence of art throughout the hotel, much of which is for sale, also adds to its unique ambiance.
• Comfort: The comfortable beds are frequently mentioned by guests as a standout feature.
• Dining: The breakfast and the quality of food at the associated restaurants are highly praised.

3. Room Quality

The 30 hotel rooms and the long-stay apartment at Blue are described as modern, smart, and compact, designed for both global travelers and weekend guests. They are outfitted with air conditioning, smart flat-screen TVs with satellite channels and on-demand movies, an Illy coffee machine, and a kettle. Bathrooms feature rainfall showers and complimentary toiletries. Some rooms also boast private balconies. Guests describe the rooms as clean, nicely furnished, and comfortable, with "dreamy" or "wonderful" beds.

A specific design element noted by some guests is the use of semi-transparent walls for the shower and toilet in some rooms, which might not be suitable for all guests.

4. Dining Experience

Blue offers a highly-regarded dining experience, particularly at breakfast. Guests describe the breakfast as "excellent," "fantastic," "amazing," and diverse, with a buffet-style continental selection and the option for a chef to prepare eggs to order. Breakfast is available from 7:00 AM to 11:00 AM, with a surcharge.

The hotel is closely associated with Restaurant MANNA and Brasserie MANNA, located a short distance away (approximately 30 meters or four buildings down). Restaurant MANNA is known for fine dining with a focus on fish, shellfish, and crustaceans, offering a "world menu" or "Chefs Choice menu". Brasserie MANNA provides classic cuisine in a relaxed setting, serving lunch, high tea, and dinner. The on-site Blue Bar is also a popular spot for cocktails and features the hotel's own private label gin.

5. Service & Staff

The service and staff at Blue consistently receive exceptional feedback. Guests frequently commend their friendliness, helpfulness, and professional demeanor. Reviewers mention staff going above and beyond, such as assisting with a flat tire or handling luggage efficiently. The hotel also provides a 24-hour front desk service.

6. Location & Accessibility

Blue boasts an "excellent location" in Nijmegen-Centrum, with a location score of 9.3. It is perfectly situated for guests to walk to the central train station, the waterfront, and the city center's restaurant and shopping areas. A grocery store is also conveniently located nearby. The MuZIEum is a 5-minute walk from the hotel.

Regarding accessibility, the hotel has partial disabled access. The rear entrance has a level floor, and the bar and Brasserie MANNA are accessible to disabled people, with a disabled toilet on the ground floor. However, the rooms themselves do not have disabled facilities. Private parking is available upon request for a daily fee. The hotel also offers bike hire.

7. Value & Pricing

While specific price ranges can vary, the value for money is rated at 8.2. The hotel offers various packages that include overnight stays, luxury breakfasts, and multi-course dinners, such as "Bike and walk," "All the Way," and "A taste of happiness" packages. Direct bookings often come with a €10 discount per room per night and free cancellation or rebooking up to 12:00 PM on the day of arrival. Self-parking costs approximately EUR 26.5 per day. Extra beds for children are available for a fee.

8. Common Complaints

While generally highly praised, a few recurring criticisms have been noted:

• Bathroom Privacy: The semi-transparent walls for showers and toilets in some rooms have been mentioned as a potential issue for guests seeking more privacy.
• In-room Appliances: Occasional reports of coffee machines or phones not working in the rooms have been made.
• Noise: Some guests have reported background humming from the air conditioning or noticeable noise from neighboring showers.
• Room Temperature: One review noted the room being too warm.

Sources

1. booking.com
2. blue-nijmegen.nl
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5. hotels.com
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7. michelin.com
8. qualitylodgings.com
9. intonijmegen.com
10. blue-nijmegen.nl
11. blue-nijmegen.nl
12. blue-nijmegen.nl
13. booking.com