Staats

Boutiquehotel Staats in Haarlem, a Michelin Key Selected property, consistently earns high praise for its unique charm, attentive service, and prime location, making it a standout choice for travelers seeking a distinctive experience in the Netherlands.

1. Overall Rating & Sentiment

Boutiquehotel Staats is overwhelmingly rated as "Excellent" or "Superb" by guests, with average scores often exceeding 9.0 out of 10 across various platforms. Guests frequently describe their stays as "absolutely wonderful" and "one of a kind". The general sentiment is highly positive, highlighting a blend of historical character and modern design.

2. Key Highlights

Guests consistently laud the hotel for several key aspects:

• Design & Atmosphere: The hotel, housed in a former school building, boasts "thought-through interiors," "quirky surprises around every corner," and a stylish mix of designer and vintage looks. Each of its 21 rooms is uniquely decorated.
• Service & Staff: The staff are frequently described as "very warm and welcoming," "friendly and accommodating," and "outstanding".
• Location: Its excellent location near Haarlem Central Station and within walking distance of the city center is a major draw.
• Amenities: Guests appreciate amenities like the inviting lounge with free coffee, tea, and sparkling water, a charming patio garden with chickens and rabbits, and a game room.

3. Room Quality

The rooms at Boutiquehotel Staats are celebrated for their uniqueness, spaciousness, and comfort.

• Design & Comfort: Each room is different, offering a "very real experience" with luxurious, distinctive, and whimsical touches. Guests frequently comment on the "incredibly high ceilings" and comfortable beds with premium bedding.
• Amenities: Rooms are well-equipped with air conditioning, private bathrooms, free toiletries, refrigerators, flat-screen TVs (some with Google Chromecast), and free WiFi. Many rooms offer garden or city views.
• Specifics: Some reviews mention spacious "Deluxe Rooms" with lovely rain showers. However, one recurring comment notes that the shower might not be in a separate, enclosed room, which some guests might find less private.

4. Dining Experience

The hotel's dining options receive high praise, particularly for breakfast.

• Breakfast: The breakfast is frequently described as "excellent," "delicious," "inspiring," and "exceptionally good with variety and uniqueness". It includes buffet, à la carte, or continental options, with highlights such as veggie omelets, pancakes, and excellent smoothies.
• Restaurant & Bar: The hotel features a family-friendly restaurant, Brasserie Staats, serving Dutch and international cuisines, including vegetarian and gluten-free options. The bar provides a relaxing atmosphere for evening drinks, and small plates are available for purchase in the lounge. Dinner in the brasserie is also available as part of packages.
• Lounge offerings: Free coffee, tea, and filtered water (sparkling or still) are available in the lounge throughout the day.

5. Service & Staff

The service at Boutiquehotel Staats is consistently highlighted as a strong point.

• Hospitality: Staff are praised for being "very warm and welcoming," "friendly," "professional," "courteous," and "very helpful".
• Availability: The front desk and front bar are staffed daily from 7 AM to at least 11 PM, with a staff member always on duty at night, ensuring 24/7 assistance.
• Personal Touches: Guests appreciate the staff making sure they have everything needed and offering services like reserving taxis or providing extra pillows. Some guests noted a desire for more personalized greetings for special occasions.

6. Location & Accessibility

The hotel's location is a significant advantage for exploring Haarlem and beyond.

• Central Location: Boutiquehotel Staats is situated on the edge of Haarlem's city center, allowing easy access to shops, city highlights, and museums like Teylers Museum.
• Proximity to Transport: It's conveniently located just a 5-minute walk from Haarlem Centraal Station. This offers excellent public transport connections: Amsterdam city center is reachable in 15 minutes, Schiphol Airport in 25 minutes (via bus 300), and Zandvoort in 10 minutes by train. During tulip season, a bus runs directly from Haarlem Station to Keukenhof.
• Parking: While street parking in the city center can be expensive (€6.25 per hour), a more affordable option is available at the Interparking Station Haarlem garage, a 3-minute walk away, costing around €15 per 24 hours if reserved in advance. Free parking can be found on the north side of town, about a 15-minute walk from the hotel.
• Cycling: The hotel offers bicycle rentals and secure parking, making it easy to explore Haarlem, Bloemendaal aan Zee, or Zuid Kennemerland National Park by bike.

7. Value & Pricing

Guests generally find Boutiquehotel Staats to offer good value for money, despite being a Michelin Key Selected property.

• Rating: Value for money is rated around 8.2-8.3 out of 10.
• Price Range: Prices can start from approximately US$142-147 per night for comfort or deluxe rooms. However, rates can vary significantly based on room type and booking season, with some bookings seen in the $170-$330+ range for different room types. Direct bookings can sometimes offer discounts on breakfast.

8. Common Complaints

While generally positive, some recurring issues and criticisms have been noted:

• Room Lighting: A few guests have found the room lighting to be "a bit odd," with all lights on a single switch, making it either "very bright" or "pitch black". Some also noted a lack of a tall mirror or adequate makeup lighting.
• Shower Design: The open-plan shower design, where the shower isn't in a separate enclosed room, has been mentioned as potentially bothersome for some guests.
• Stairs: As a historic building, the hotel has steep and narrow stairs, which might be a challenge for some, though it's noted as typical for Dutch buildings.
• WiFi Speed: Some older reviews noted slow in-room WiFi that was insufficient for streaming services like Netflix or YouTube.
• Dining Availability: The on-site restaurant can be fully booked, and guests sometimes wished for a reserved spot or prior notification.
• Minor Maintenance: Isolated issues like a leaky shower or noisy air conditioning have been reported, though these appear to be infrequent.
• No Airport Shuttle: The hotel does not provide an airport shuttle, though they can arrange taxis.

Sources

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