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Hotel ML Haarlem or Lion d'Or ???

We are planning a fall trip to The Netherlands and are torn between the ML and the Hotel Lion d'Or. We want a quiet hotel, with an elevator I(we're in our 70s and try to avoid winding stairs), a good bed and a room with drapes/curtains that allow for a good nights sleep (my husband wakes with the first light so room darkening g drapes are important to us).

What are your thoughts???

PS
If the ML -- which room type would you suggest? The "comfort"rooms appear to have twin beds stuck together but so do the "luxury"rooms (although the description mentions both doubles and queens, the website photo appears to be two twins). I'm perplexed!

Posted by
11577 posts

You do not mention where you want a hotel? Haarlem? Amsterdam? The Hague? Other places?

Posted by
11577 posts

Haarlem would not be my first or second choice as a base.
Look at Leiden for a much better experience.
Another good choice is The Hague.

Posted by
692 posts

crooney, we will be staying in ML for 3 nights in late April if you want to message me after that I can let you know how it was.

Posted by
264 posts

We were in Amsterdam last fall and enjoyed it but wanted a different experience this time - and Rick recommends it. . Wasn't really happy with any of the hotels but found (I hope) a lovely bed and breakfast (Guesthouse One). We'll only be there for 4 days and that should be fine - maybe even time for a day trip back to Amsterdam or to Leiden. Thinking positive thoughts!!

Posted by
1596 posts

If you want a different experience, why are you staying in the same area as your trip last year? Why not try another part of the Netherlands? Or at least somewhere a bit further away from Amsterdam? Utrecht would make an ideal base to explore other parts of the Netherlands, but it’s still only a 25 minute train ride away from Amsterdam.

Posted by
264 posts

We're heading to The Netherlands after several weeks in France, will spend two weeks there and then pick up a ship in Rotterdam for a Northern Europe cruise. We can fly to Amsterdam from Montpellier and will then do a circle -tentatively, Haarlem, Arnhem (for the battlefields), Delft - and then on the ship. We're history buffs, so Arnhem is a must - but I will research Utrecht. Thank you.

Posted by
264 posts

Claire, thank you so much for your offer to let us know how the ML fares but I think we've decided on a B&B. I read so many reviews of so many hotels - - too many stairs, away from the center, too noisy - the ML sounded like the best.

! It's amazing hjow quickly hotels are booking up for the fall - I felt the danger of not having a place creeping up on me and decided on a B&B.

I so hope that your trip goes well and that you enjoy the ML and everyplace else!!

Posted by
692 posts

Thanks crooney! We will have 2 weeks in the Netherlands staying in Haarlem, Rotterdam and Utrecht. Plus day trips to a few other towns. Looking forward to exploring outside of Amsterdam where we have visited twice.

Posted by
796 posts

Guesthouse One looks lovely! I will add this one to my list of possible options when we head to Haarlem.

Posted by
264 posts

I think that it will be wonderful - the owner has been very responsive and we are looking forward to meeting him. Notre that, for an added fee of 35E, he will pick you up from Schiphol Airport and take you to the B&B. Although this is more than the bus, we plan to take advantage of it - quicker, easier and few won't have to schlep luggage.