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Hotels in the Randstad range from elegant canal houses to cross-country chains with anonymous décor. Most large towns have one or more deluxe hotels that exceed all expectations. Accommodation in Rotterdam and The Hague—big convention and business cities—is at a premium, so book well in advance, although the situation is usually not as tight as it is in Amsterdam. Finding somewhere to stay in other cities is generally less of a problem. The VVVs (tourist offices) in the region have extensive accommodation listings and can book your reservations. Unless otherwise noted, assume that all rooms have air-conditioning, TV, telephones, and private bath, and that all hotels operate on the EP meal plan (with no meals).
Contemporary-styled rooms that are tastefully decorated in blue, gray, and gold, with comfortable beds and chic modern bathrooms, have breathed life back into the Utrecht's former High Court building. Superior rooms are larger and quieter (they're at the back away from the street). An arch-roofed suite is tucked into the cellars next to a canal.
Built in 1601, the city's former arsenal also had an interim life as the Army Museum, until a lengthy renovation saw it transform into the city's newest luxury hotel, where the furniture is modern, but features such as exposed brickwork and oak beams pay tribute to its lengthy history. Outside rooms look onto the adjoining canals, while quieter inside rooms surround a spacious interior courtyard.
Rooms in this pretty 18th-century building near the railway station and within walking distance of major downtown sights are spacious, with good lighting and upscale modern furnishings; bathrooms all have tubs as well as showers. The restaurant and bar downstairs are pleasant and reasonably priced.
The attractive exterior of the 1870 building in the shadow of Sint Janskerk and opposite a leafy square has Art Nouveau leanings, while the interior is very 21st-century, with airy and stylishly understated guest rooms. In the center of town, the hotel is ideally situated within easy walking distance of the canals, as well as plenty of shopping and dining choices.
