Originally I had planned to stay in the Novotel in Hildesheim, but after reading the Trip Advisor reviews of Novotel and Van der Valk, I opted for the latter. Perhaps that is one reason why I was especially disappointed. Yes, indeed, the location is unbeatable. I had a view of the Marktplatz complete with noontime Glockenspiel and all that is charming. (The various bells did wake me up one weekend morning, though). Some other pro's: 1- Excellent modern shower (Grohe) 2- Cozy lobby and restaurant 3- Tasty tap water 4- Rather nice breakfast spread complete with a nifty fresh orange juice maker. BUT... Van der Valk Hildesheim had a number of flaws. 1- My room smelled very moldy/musty. I have never experienced such a thing in all of my years of business travel, and certainly not in a luxury hotel chain. Reception looked at me like I was from Mars when I informed them and after trying to figure out what I meant by "room spray," they finally produced a very sad, cheap one that did next to nothing. 2- They also gave me that no-comprehension/deer-in-headlights look when I asked about their turn-down service, until finally someone at reception understood what I meant and informed me that they have none. 3- The heat in my room didn't work the first night at all (finally at midnight they brought me a space heater). 5- The middle-aged breakfast chef was clearly disgruntled with life in general and barked at me while I was ordering my fried eggs auf Deutsch 6- Breakfast on Sunday closed at 10:30 AM...since when do luxury hotels have weekend breakfast ending so early? 7- Decor in room looked faded and really?... a Dutch hotel chain cannot afford real flowers and instead has dingy fake flowers in a tacky faux-gold vase? Conclusion: some elements four-star worthy, others, alas, three star. Fine for the tour bus groups who occupied the place, but for a business traveller such as myself, not up to standards and leaving much to be desired...
- Van Der Valk Hannover
