I really enjoyed my stay at this hotel. It is very centrally located, in an old building with lots of character and an imposing staircase, along a beautiful canal, in a good neighborhood, with plenty to do around about it.

I stayed for two nights, with a friend who was sufficiently enamored by the place to speak of opening a trip advisor account to review it. I have beaten him to it.

The hotel itself is fairly basic, and the age of the building makes it likely that rooms are variable in size. We had no complaints. We were given a large twin room, with two equally large windows. The room was on the first floor, overlooking a court yard, allowing plenty of natural light to enter. The furnishings were in character with the building, and the room was clean and functional.

A particular draw for us was the receptionist. She was friendly, and exceptionally helpful.

My previous visit to Leiden was some years earlier. On that occasion, I stayed in a very small room at the Minerva, which I thought was also a nice hotel. Things may well have changed during the passage of time, but I thought de Doelen compared favourably with that stay. The Minerva perhaps has the more attractive foyer; but the room I stayed in at de Doelen was far superior.

Hotel de Doelen is a basic yet charming place to stay...it's like staying at an old canal house. Our room was clean and comfortable with a view of the canal. Hotel de Doelen is a great place to use as a center for a trip to Amsterdam & the city of Leiden. The hotel is a 10 min walk (max) from the train station, and around the corner from everything in Leiden. We did not eat at the hotel, there are plenty of places to get all of your meals within a 2 min walk.

If our travels bring us back to the beautiful city of Leiden, we will be staying at the Hotel de Doelen.

This is a basic two star hotel. It is very conveniently located, a short walk from the train station and near restaurants and sights. It is clean. Breakfast was excellent but had to pay extra for it.

Two problems. First, no wifi available. The desk attendant let me use one of the hotels computers so it wasn't too great an inconvenience. Second problem was that the door to the bathroom was an accordion style that was VERY noisy so when one of us got up during the night, opening and closing the door woke the other. Leaving the door parly open was not an option either. Leaving it completely open and the light shown directly on the sleeping partner partner also waking them.

Perhaps not all roomwshad that kind of door but Id sure check before I stayed there again..

The hotel is located in a very attractive street, beside a canal, and near the centre of Leiden, which is a lovely city. The hotel itself is very basic. There is no lift and my single room on the second floor involved a very steep climb up a lot of stairs. Not to be attempted with a heavy suitcase! The single room was small but reasonably equipped with a comfortable bed, desk, and chair. There is free scratchcard internet access. The TV was the smallest I've seen in a very long time, with limited choice of channels. The shower room was also very small but adequate. The shower was good and worked well, and there was plenty of hot water. There are no tea and coffee making facilities in the rooms. The breakfast was typically Dutch, but adequate for 7.50 euros. Checking in and out was very quick and easy.