Hotel berhampiran Erlenbruchwald, Kranenburg

We are a family with 2 small children (babies) staying at the Elaya for a long weekend. After checking in we went to our room which we thought was rather small for a suite and immediately noticed someone had gone to town on the wall that my babies travel cot had been set up next to. There was/is a massive crack(s) on the wall where someone has clearly been punching it. Then looking further around the room noticed things hadn't been cleaned properly and overall was in need of TLC. We went downstairs where the receptionist was apologetic and changed our room. It's important to note we booked a suite but for some reason this room we were originally given was not one. We went upstairs to our suite thinking it was just bad luck, this room will be better and yes the walls are all in one piece and it's bigger but still unclean and incredibly shabby. You should never walk into a hotel room and feel It is so rundown that you question the cleanliness and not want to touch anything. Surely if they can't be bothered hanging curtains and there are random stains on things, where else, especially in the cleaning, have corners been cut. No washcloths in room, no mattress protector on bed, curtains broken or coming off (both easy/cheap fixes), questionable stains on furnishing, no thorough clean done recently (IMO) and again in desperate need of TLC. We stayed in 2022 and it was only marginally better. I don't know if the Elaya do not want to spend any money or simply do not care but we won't be staying here again. The hallways and balconies are also in the same state of disrepair. Location is good and receptionist was friendly and swift to act on the issue with the first room. Photos of some of the problems.

I spent a Sunday and Monday night there; paid by my host (the university). Great choice on their part. The room was well appointed except for the somewhat small safe which would not accommodate my laptop. That said, the place is quite safe (access to the guest rooms via elevator that requires guest access card), so I just left it in the open. There's a coffee machine in the room and you can get extra capsules from the front-desk if need be. Toilet and shower are separate but, yes, as JapanGirl has mentioned, if you are not alone, you need to feel quite comfortable with your partner ... Wifi is stable and pretty fast, also on the ground floor/brekkie area, tv has some English language channels. Brekkie is fabulous and plenty. The ground floor is separated in about half a dozen areas and you can have brekkie in an ambiance of your choice. I had a colleague over for an hour to discuss one of her projects and ordered a cappuccino for her. When I wanted to pay for it, I was told that was fine. Everyone on the staff is super-nice and helpful. Good vibes. Really quite liked the place.

Just a short (thankfully downhill) walk from the railway station (extensive rail and bus services give easy access to almost anywhere in the Netherlands) the hotel is an even shorter walk from the north bank of the Nederrijn with its shady walks and numerous restaurants. Very handy as there is no restaurant at any IHG Express. As I arrived mid-morning the room was not ready but the staff (more about them later) were happy to store my case until I returned that afternoon (and again after checkout before leaving on an afternoon train). The room itself was a good size with a large comfortable bed, a functional desk and chair and a comfortable chair. Air conditioning kept the temperature stable and the lighting was good - not the ”fashionable” near darkness of some. Bathroom was good with a spacious shower. Everything was spotlessly clean. Coffee and tea available. Breakfast is the only meal offered and is a fairly basic standard european offering. Meats, eggs and cheeses were adequate, yoghurt good, fresh fruit salad very good indeed. Coffee was machine provided and good with a variety of offerings. No hot options (standard with the Express brand) and I did not try any of the other cold choices. Although fairly centrally located with easy access to shops and all the usual facilities and infrastructure the room was quiet and peaceful. An Albert Heijn mini-supermarket opposite attracted small groups in the evening but was not a bother - indeed very useful for an occasional small purchase. All standard and as expected for the brand so why mark it excellent? I will come back to the staff who were unfailingly excellent - helpful, cheery and friendly (though never less than professional) and recognised me by the end of day 1. A credit to the hotel and its management. This is now my first choice when next in the vicinity

What a surprise! Hotel Papendal is basically the accommodation wing of the Dutch Olympic Association’s headquarters and training facility. Situated in quiet woodland a short drive from Arnhem and Oosterbeek, the bedrooms are very basic but comfortable and spotlessly clean. There is a bar onsite that serves simple snacks and meals, or you can venture out to Arnhem. Breakfast is AMAZING - high quality, and lots of choice in very smart self service restaurant. Parking is free and easy. No aircon, however bedroom windows do open.