Leiden

I chose Boutique Hotel Steenhof Suites for my upcoming stay. The reviews on Booking.com looked good, and the location is near what I want to see during my short stay there before flying back home. It has a 9.7 rating for solo travelers.

Great tip! Thank you!

I've stayed at Steenhof Suites - very nice hotel.

The Best Western is not as nice, but it's not bad!
It's in a handy location and is a good value, solid breakfast.

No vacancy for my arrival 6/6 at Steenhof, Ibis, or Golden Tulip. Apparently, Best Western is permanently close. This might be a challenge!

I just got back from a trip and stayed in Leiden at the City Hotel Rembrandt. Great location, very secure. I was travelling as a solo female too.

Good luck!

Mary

Wow! You aren't kidding. There is nothing.

Even in the outlying bigger towns from which one could get to Leiden easily by train, basically nothing.

I'd get something suboptimal that you can cancel until pretty late on the books. And then keep checking back to see if something opens up right in Leiden.

Or go somewhere else. Lots of great towns in the Netherlands.....

Thanks, Mary, but no vacancy here either. And Hank just assured me that I'm wasting my time searching. Unfortunately,
I'm not going to Leiden for a holiday. I'm on a medical mission, so no choice on the destination. I'll keep you posted!

The Best Western in Woerden has availability. It's a coincidence that it's a Best Western, I'm not on their payroll 🙂

$331 for three nights on your dates, cancel up to the afternoon before.

Woerden is a very nice upscale safe town right on the river that's built on the star fort model. It has a direct, frequent short enough train to Leiden, and the hotel is close enough to both the city center and the train station.

You could do worse

The VVV Leiden (tourist office) has a number of suggestions. You could also call them (watch the time, it is quarter past 6 there at the moment) and explain your situation and ask for help.

https://www.visitleiden.nl/en/plan-your-visit/overnight-stay

by the way, the main station in Leiden is very close to the main hospital

As you’ve found out now, you left things rather late I’m afraid. Instead of Woerden you can also look into staying in The Hague or Delft. Or on the seaside in Noordwijk or Katwijk. Of course, your choice of location to stay should also depend on how many times during your 3 night stay you have to actually be in Leiden.

Because of the nature of the medical mission, advance scheduling is never an option. And unfortunately, I can't book until this Wednesday. I'll keep Best Western Woerden on my list and hopefully, there'll still be a vacancy on Wednesday.

Thank you everyone!

OP I somehow skimmed over the part about the medical mission and you needing to be in Leiden.

The train trip from Woerden is 31 minutes. Best Western is 300 meters from the station.

The train trip from The Hague is about 20 minutes. Likely a bit more frequent as well. I'm seeing one hotel for 775 dollars for the stay. 1 km walk to the station.

I had previously looked at Delft. Also appears no rooms.

I avoided suggesting other towns that don't have a rail connection. But of course buses from these places are efficient enough. If you wanted to stay out by the sea, the bus would be your option.

Hank,
The only day I actually need to be in Leiden is 6/8 which is when the stem cell pickup is scheduled. I'm supposed to stay within 30 minutes from the hospital, but it looks like an exception will need to be made. I work with a travel agency who books the reservation upon my recommendation, but won't be talking to them until tomorrow. I'll share all the info everyone has given me and at this point, let them figure it out.
Thank you everyone!

Thank you, everyone, for your research and knowledge, and for providing all the info. I truly appreciate it! Unfortunately, the trip has been cancelled. Sad for me, but sadder for the recipient. I'm hoping it's just postponed and will be rescheduled. If so, I'm guessing lodging will still be a challenge, but all your suggestions will help me. Have a great summer! Lgpoodle