I am considering booking 5 nights here in June to use as my base for cycling and for a couple of day trips to Amsterdam. But I am hesitant to book (and pay now) for a non-refundable stay based on b.c reviews alone.
Does anyone have feedback on this hotel? (Solo traveler). Thanks
I stayed there in Oct. 2023. Here is what I had to say about it at the time:
I stayed at the Hotel Lion d’Or. This hotel was not great. The RS book describes it as having “pleasingly posh décor” and that may have been the case 20 years ago, but it just felt dated to me. I wondered how long the decorative green blanket at the end of the bed had been there. And the carpet had seen better days. I picked it for the location near the train station because I would be taking day trips. My room faced the train station and it was very loud, even with the window closed. Loud from people, not the trains. This was a train station that people liked to hang out in front of and there were often police officers there dealing with people. I think trying to get them to move on.
It’s current rating on Booking.com is 8.5. So, not terrible.
I probably wouldn't stay there again. But it was clean and the staff was friendly. It was convenient to the train station for my day trips. If you have other options, i would look elsewhere. If your options are limited, it wasn't a terrible hotel, just not one of my favorites.
Thank you, this is very helpful and realistic. …. And a bit discouraging. My options are somewhat limited because I am booking or short notice. Another possibility is the IHG nui Dairy which is not as well rated :-(
Hey MJ,
My husband and I stayed there in 2024 and we had a wonderful experience. It’s not a huge hotel, we had a room facing the side driveway, just fine. The hotel had a decent small bar and nice menu options. We enjoyed sitting outside and watching the bicycle traffic and people watching, when we weren’t touring.
Haarlem is a small city, there will be noise outside at times, so you may hear it inside your hotel room. It didn’t bother us.
Our RS Best of Europe tour began there, so several solo travelers stayed extra days in advance of the tour, as we did. It is very convenient to the train station, and walking distance to all the sights Haarlem has to offer. We went to a few museums there and enjoyed the bakeries and other amenities. We would definitely stay again. The hotel staff helped us store our bags in a locked room when we arrived too early to check in, and they resolved a billing issue with professional courtesy. We got good tips about restaurants and sights from the front desk staff who spoke English very well. If you stay in Haarlem, hope you have time to explore, it’s fascinating. We visited the windmill and Frans Hals Museum and Corrie Ten Boom house. All great experiences. Don’t miss the frites if you are a fan. There are several good references in the RS Amsterdam guidebook in the Haarlem section.
Thank you — again very helpful! That the RS tours start from there is an encouraging sign.
Haarlem hotels that have been suggested in the forums – Ambassador City, Citi, Amadeus, Carilllon — are not nearly as well rated on booking, which tells me a lot. And then there are ones, but they are out of my price range.
Time to read more reviews on booking, cross reference on TA and google ….
Chiming in here:
My wife and I stayed here in 2019. It was an affordable and comfortable stay. Right next to the train station, and within walking distance of the city center. We enjoyed our stay and would return without hesitation.
My $.02
-- Mike Beebe
Just had a wonderful trip in that area……stayed in Leiden if that is any help…….WONDERFUL HOTEL there about a half mile walk to the train station and then to anywhere you want. Loved Corrie Ten Boom house and Haarlem.
Decision made, driven in large part by my budget* and by availability: Lion d’Or for four nights with a possibility of adding a fifth.
it’s always a gamble, isn’t it? Thanks for all the info!
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* < US$ 150/ night, but more realistically $175…
You’ll be fine there. Our budgets don’t always allow for the Ritz. :-)
Have a great trip! The Netherlands is one country I am itching to get back to.
I've too have read mixed reviews of hotel Lion d'Or, but you are staying in charming Haarlem, so it's a win!
We stayed at the Hotel Boutique Staats in Haarlem, a four-minute walk to the train station, but on the quiet side. If you exit the train station, go left, into a quiet residential neighborhood. When you exit the train station going right, you'll find the Hotel Lion d'Or. That side is much more commercial and has a busier street.
In any case, have a great trip.
