The Hotel De Kroon is small and friendly. It's well signposted and easy to find.

The ladies who run the hotel were very welcoming, the reception / bar area is pleasant, the bar has an extensive selection of drinks and the seating is comfortable. The decor is different but is gradually being updated.

The rooms are all on the first floor, and there is no lift so travel light. We were told our room was the best in the hotel, the bed was very comfortable, there is a nice dressing table with large mirror and a nice little LCD tv with a few english channels which was good. The bathroom was adequate, shower sink and toilet, there wasn't a hairdryer. The bathroom clearly needs updating but we were told this will be done during the winter months, and it was perfectly adequate for us. There was a safe in the wardrobe which was handy. We had quite a large balcony off our room which was lovely, although I think this was the only room that did have a balcony. Granted the balcony does look over the road, but it was just really nice to be able to sit out in the air without having to go downstairs to do so. The room was generally dated, but it really was fine for us.

The restaurant is chaos, the hotel obviously caters well for families, the restaurant is almost split in half with a childrens play area in one half, and the seating area in the other half. When we were there there was a very large family also there, and they didn't try and quiten there children down during dinner which was annoying, but this had nothing to do with the hotel or the staff. If you want to dine at the hotel you need to let the staff know during the afternoon so they can check whether it's possible. Be aware that they serve a set menu, we dined once in the evening and the food was nice, but an unusual combination and it definately wouldn't have suited everyone. The prices were ok but could have been a little cheaper. The area was quiet and we slept really well when we stayed here.

The reason we stayed at this hotel was because it was so close to the theme park Efteling, it literally is about a 5 - 10 minute walk to the entrance of the theme park which is brilliant, and there is adequate free parking right outside the hotel. (The theme park is brilliant and I highly recommend a visit there).

Kaatsheuvel itself is nice, it's a very short walk to Lidl where you can stock up on bits and pieces, and there are a few bars and restaurants in the centre. The hotel staff kindly gave us a detailed map of the area and the restaurants are all listed on the map so it's worth asking for one.

Opposite the hotel there is a cafe called Happy Days, it's chaotic and although the prices are really good, the food is terrible, I definately do not recommend. Although it's fine if you just want a cold drink, and the milkshakes were nice.

Overall we had a pleasant stay, and would stay here again if we went back to Efteling. With the gradual updating of the hotel facilities and decor, I can only imagine it will get even better in time.

About 10 years overdue for a major revamp. We stayed in what was allegedly the 'best room in the hotel' which had stained, broken curtains, mouldy bathroom, wooden bed and arrestingly battered furniture. It had a balcony but you'd only use it if you wanted to do a traffic survey. What was described as a quiet town seemed be be being used as a drag strip for mopeds and the walls between rooms were paper thin so the sounds of next doors 'delightful' children added to the traffic noise.
The town seemed a bit desolate, the one saving grace is the proximity to the surreal efteling which is within walking distance.
The main advice is stay somewhere else!

Although its not fair to say that the hotel doesn't have other good points, the location was the reason we booked it... In addition to that the hotel has a friendly service, reasonable prices and a good breakfast (cereals, youghurts, salami, boiled egg). OK its quite simple and doesn't have a spa, great wine or gambling/casino (see the trip descriptions section in Trip Advisor) , but then if you're there for a one night stay to go to Efteling that shouldn't matter too much...

We planned a short trip to the Efteling Amusement Park and stayed at the Hotel de Kroon last August. It was a really relaxing trip, even with 4 children. Our journey via Eurostar was effortless and fairly quick. The Hotel was comfortable and welcoming and a VERY quick walk to the amusement park. We visited four of the local restaurants for dinner which were all reasonably pried and on the last day hired some bikes locally and rode through the nearby Loonse en Drunense Duinen National Park which was the highlight of our trip. Unlike London, bikes rule the road in Holland, so the children were very safe.