Bilderberg Kasteel Vaalsbroek

We had a lovely time at this hotel. The setting is beautiful, there's a nice (secret) aroma in the hotel when you arrive, the decorations are unique and attractive, etc. You feel like you're in a special place. The room was spacious and nicely prepared. The bathroom was well appointed with Rituals products. We had nice bathrobes for the wellness center. There were separate devices for coffee and tea (tea-lovers understand). And we had a nice little patio where we would sit in the sun and relax with our dog. The location is in a really beautiful part of the Netherlands and directly out the front door, you have access to gorgeous walking trails and biking routes that take you to nice places. The grounds of the castle themselves are quite attractive too. And sitting on their terrace in the sun with a nice drink is a perfect way to close out the day. The breakfast buffet is well done and very much worth it, with lots of special local treats and plenty of fresh everything. But the Bistro and the Restaurant at the hotel were severely understaffed and this led to seriously BAD service. In fact, the service at the restaurant was so bad, it ruined our evening. (2 hours to get our entrees, and then they get the orders wrong; not asking for drinks a 2nd time; not completing requests for bread; etc. - really bad service) We would go back to the hotel (and probably will). It's great. We won't go back to their trying-to-be-swanky, traditionally-focused restaurant, cause they can't do it well enough.

What a disappointment! They claim to be dog friendly but that’s only a statement online - dogs are not welcome to restaurant or breakfast room. We booked a table at the restaurant but had to unbook it - not even possibly to sit on the terrace. On the terrace there was only a fast food menu… We had to go into town for dinner (witch was nice). When we expressed our disappointment to stag at the reception they were at best not concerned. Went to the terrace for a drink later in the evening but the service was beyond slow, after half an hour with no contact we left. We had a room on the first floor - it was very dark. In the room the ventilation was bad, we opened a window but then a stench from some flowers on the outside got in. No lid on the toiletseat.

Group of 18 - great location but food was way overcooked. At breakfast they would organise reservation for seatings for one group but not us - three nights in a row. Reception did not coordinate with breakfast people. Overall the location does not deserve the the way things are organised. Would not recommend.