Villa Ruimzicht

Hotel Review: Villa Ruimzicht, Doetinchem, Netherlands (Michelin Key Selected Property)

Villa Ruimzicht in Doetinchem, a Michelin Key Selected property, offers guests a unique blend of historic charm and contemporary luxury, set within a beautiful monumental building and park. It is widely praised for its exceptional dining experiences, distinctive design, and tranquil location, though some minor points of contention occasionally arise.

1. Overall Rating & Sentiment

The general consensus for Villa Ruimzicht is overwhelmingly positive, with guests frequently describing it as an excellent and atmospheric hotel. It is often highlighted as a luxurious 4-star establishment that prioritizes service and comfort, providing an unforgettable experience for both leisure and business travelers. Review scores for staff, location, cleanliness, and comfort are generally high.

2. Key Highlights

Guests consistently praise several aspects of Villa Ruimzicht:

• Historic Ambiance & Design: The hotel is housed in a magnificent monumental building from 1853, formerly a boarding school, which has been transformed into a luxurious space that beautifully fuses its historical character with modern Dutch Design interiors. Artworks contribute to a charming ambiance.
• Culinary Excellence: The on-site Restaurant Lokaal, led by Chef Bjorn Massop, is a major draw, boasting a Green Michelin Star for its sustainable and farm-to-table approach, utilizing seasonal and local ingredients from the Achterhoek region. The restaurant also holds a Gault&Millau rating of 14.5/20.
• Beautiful Surroundings: The hotel is situated within a historic park (arboretum) featuring ancient trees, offering a serene and green environment.
• Service & Hospitality: The staff are frequently commended for being welcoming, friendly, and highly supportive.
• Free Amenities: Free Wi-Fi and ample free private parking are appreciated conveniences.

3. Room Quality

Villa Ruimzicht offers 42 spacious rooms with unique themes and styles, combining the historical atmosphere of the building with contemporary design. Guests have described rooms as luxurious, well-equipped, clean, and comfortable. Some specific room features mentioned include large spaces, comfortable beds (though one guest found a bed soft), good coffee makers, and comfortable, large bathrooms. Rooms also typically feature air conditioning, flat-screen TVs, and tea/coffee making facilities. While generally positive, some guests have noted that certain rooms or bathrooms can appear "a bit dated". The lighting system in some rooms has also been described as difficult to operate.

4. Dining Experience

The dining experience at Villa Ruimzicht is a significant highlight:

• Restaurant Lokaal: This restaurant is celebrated for its multi-course meals crafted with sustainable, seasonal, and locally sourced ingredients, reflecting a "farmer-to-plate" concept. Many guests have described the food as fantastic, excellent, varied, and remarkable, with high-quality flavors.
• Breakfast: The breakfast, often a live cooking buffet, receives consistent praise for being wonderful, exceptionally good, and offering plenty of choices.
• Bar & Bites: For more informal options, Bar & Bites offers a relaxed setting for lunch, cocktails, and snacks, also focusing on local ingredients.
• Criticisms: Despite the overall high quality, some guests have expressed concerns regarding the portion sizes at Restaurant Lokaal being too small, especially considering the price, leading to a perception of poor value for money in some instances. Some have also found the breakfast to be expensive when not included in a package.

5. Service & Staff

The staff at Villa Ruimzicht are frequently highlighted as a strong asset. Guests consistently report them as welcoming, friendly, highly supporting, and professional. The hospitality and attentiveness of the staff contribute significantly to a warm and cozy atmosphere. However, there have been isolated comments suggesting that some younger staff might appear less enthusiastic or proactive. One guest also reported that feedback on room issues was not adequately addressed.

6. Location & Accessibility

The hotel boasts an excellent location just outside the city center of Doetinchem, within a special city estate with monumental trees. It is within comfortable walking distance (5-15 minutes) of the city center, offering easy access to shops, restaurants, cinema, and theater. Doetinchem itself is noted for its charming center and is part of the Achterhoek region, known as a beautiful area for cycling and walking with forests, castles, and historic towns. The hotel is also easily accessible by car via the A18 and is a short walk from the train station. Free private parking is available on-site.

7. Value & Pricing

The value for money at Villa Ruimzicht is generally considered good, especially when considering the luxury and unique experience offered. The average room price is around $154, which is comparable to other hotels in Doetinchem. However, specific items like breakfast or restaurant portions can be perceived as pricey by some guests. Package deals that include dinner are often seen as good value.

8. Common Complaints

While overwhelmingly positive, recurring criticisms include:

• Slow Elevator: Several guests have mentioned the elevator being exceptionally slow, leading them to prefer the stairs.
• Key Card Issues: There have been instances of key cards not working correctly, causing inconvenience, particularly for access to rooms and the main entrance at night.
• Dated Aspects in Rooms: While generally well-designed, some guests have found certain room elements or bathrooms to be a bit dated.
• Noise: One guest reported a noisy room located above the kitchen.
• Restaurant Portion Sizes & Pricing: As mentioned, some diners found the portions at Restaurant Lokaal to be small for the price, impacting the perceived value.
• Minor Maintenance Issues: Loose baseboards were noted by one guest.
• Inconsistent Service: While generally excellent, some rare feedback indicated less enthusiastic or proactive service from certain staff members.

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