We had previously spent New Year in Germany and with Travelsphere so we already knew that there would be a lot of time spent traveling to the country of destination. This year we decided to go to Luxembourg. Our coach picked us up at 5am and as with the previous year was on time. We were driven to Dover where there were at least 20 coaches all on time. You disembark from your coach and go to the coach which will be yours for the remainder of the journey. All of this is explained several times.

Once on the correct coach, all coaches board the boat where you have to get off the coach and go up into the boat for the duration of the crossing. On our way there we sailed to Dunkirk and our return was from Calais. Neither of these ports were a problem and both were under 2 hours sailing time. Just before the boat docks, you return to your coach. As the seats are pre-allocated, there is no issue with where you will sit. My husband is over 6ft 6" tall and I had requested a seat on the coach with leg room because of such and that is exactly what we got.

The coach trip from the port to the destination can take quite a few hours depending on where you are travelling to. Our coach stopped twice on the journey, once for 20 minutes and once for 45 minutes where most of us took time to have a meal at this point.

Just before we arrived at the hotel, we were all asked to fill in our details on a sheet of paper which were handed in by the Travelsphere rep to the hotel. We were told that this saves time when checking in; however, I do have some concern over this as the details requested were Name, DOB and place of birth. The paper therefore would have been wonderful for anyone wishing to use it for identity fraud. I also thought it was rude to pass this around the coach so nothing was kept private. Not a good move on the part of Travelsphere and perhaps an individual paper per passenger which is handed back after check in would be a better practice.

There was no mess outside the hotel and I do wonder what others actually saw. Outside and inside the hotel were spotless.

There is only one lift but with a bit of patience this was no problem and there was time to get to your room and back down before the meal started. We were sat down by 8pm ready to eat.

The room itself was lovely. The hotel is not new but it is clean and we had clean towels every day. Our room had a big bathroom and a fridge which someone else had to point out to us! Thanks Mel!

The dining room is very large and separate from the public dining room. On the table was a list of all drinks prices so we knew how much our bill would be at the end of the stay. The cards to add drinks onto will be found in your room. Apparently the beer was very nice as was the Chardonnay (which we had plenty of). The only downside to this hotel in our opinion was the food. On the first night the menu was: - Parma ham followed by a veg soup followed by a pork steak followed by cold custard in a cup with a squirt of imitation cream on the top. The soup was like water with very little flavouring and the pork was served with polenta which people thought was potato and was awful. On our table of 8 people, no one ate the pork and no one ate the polenta. I did tell the staff that I do not eat pork so was presented with a steak which was lovely so do not be afraid to ask for a different main meal, however, there are no options for any other course other than eat it or go without. At no point during the 3 days there were real potatoes served which made a mockery of the speech given by the guide which states that people from Luxembourg do not think a meal is a meal unless there are potatoes. Night two was New Year’s Eve and a meal of smoked salmon, quail soup, sorbet, mullet on puff pastry, venison with 6 sprouts and frozen croquet potatoes followed by a big profiterole with ice cream inside. The soup was awful and again not eaten by people on the table, the venison was ok and the fish on pastry was awful. Night 3 was pea soup followed by a guinea fowl followed by a slice of a frozen cake. I feel that I can comment on the food in particular as I used to be in catering and I know how cheap it is to make a decent vegetable soup using fresh veg and how cheap it is to prepare a decent desert when catering for large groups. At no point were any veg placed on the table for people to select from so you will not get your '5 a day' at this hotel. At one point we asked for more bread and were told we could not have any. Bread is so cheap too. Our Travelsphere rep had said that the owner of the hotel was upset by the comments on here but sometimes constructive comments do help as the hotel now provide a drinks list which no doubt was because of the comments here. I only hope they improve on the food as if they did, this hotel would be top in the area.

The music on NYE was a Jazz band that were very good and most people got up to dance. We were lucky as we were sat with some people we had met the previous year and two others who all joined in the madness.

The two inclusive trips were ok and we knew that nothing much would be opened on New Year’s Day but enjoyed the walk. NYE trip was to Luxembourg City which was wonderful.

We knew what to expect with a NY trip with Travelsphere and with a couple of minor amendments to this one, it would be wonderful. Please remember that these reviews are opinions so do not let any of them put you off going anywhere in the world.

Cannot wait to try Holland next year with the group from up north and the midlands.... Happy New Year from the southerners!

I traveled to this hotel with Travelsphere along with 3 other women, this is the seconed time with this company enjoyed my first trip to Germany and this one even more.
Before arriving at the hotel the tour lady Val gave us a form to fill in so the process of checking in was quicker. We were able to leave our cases downstairs and they would be brought to our rooms. Yes the lift is quite small but as we were the only coach party there was not to much of a problem. We were given our room key along with the white drinks card as i was sharing a room with my friend we decided to use just one and share the bill , the drinks are priced on lamanated sheets around the bar area. One tip for you and if your reading this Val it might be worth a mention if your a married couple you get one drink card if you are sharing with a friend then you get two it is ok to use only one as we did but they will still need to see the other card our other friends tore theirs up so as not to use it and had to salvage it from the bin.
Our room was on the third floor nothing special clean and tidy the bathroom was quite small but did the job we had a shower the water pressure was fine, i will say however its not very sound proof and made my friend and i laugh. we took a travel kettle and snacks.
We went down to the resturant as instructed and yes you will have to share if there is only 2 of you or you by yourself but as its a small dinning room it makes it friendly.
Food was fine not much in the way of choice in fact none . On the first night it was pate, chicken,ratatou and potatoes, on the seconed night fish, pork steak with mushroom and potatoes and tiramasu, third night soup beef stew green beans and potatoes and apple pie and cream. Not quite sure what they did for veggies dont think we were asked but as i did not like fish they gave my some parma ham it was all cooked very well and served swiftly and nice and hot. breakfast was the usual standard pastries, jams, bread, meats,cheese,boiled eggs,youghut and cereals all with tea,coffe and juice.
Went to the bar had a few drinks and was tired from the journey so had a good night sleep the bed was low but comfatable.
The next day got back on the coach for the city of luxemberg to visit the xmas market. Our guide Val was very informative and our driver brilliant.
That evening after dinner they put on a singer gave us all a sing a long and a dance.
Next day walked around the village it took all of about 30mins nice but very quite did not walk up to the castle.
That afternoon got back on the coach and went into germany trier a better larger xmas market again Val very informative with her daily jokes and poems and hats off to the driver.
That evening after dinner there is a couple of bowling lanes in the basement most of the coach joined in for a couple of euros each it was fun and we had a great laugh.
That evening before going to bed we paid our bar bill as were leaving in the morning, also worth a mention at dinner they gave us a list for a packed lunch ham ,cheese rolls and drinks at a price not too cheap but still cheaper than motorway services.
The following morning as we went to breakfast we left our cases outside our room and they were taken downstairs for us.
All in all we enjoyed our stay and the husband and wife team worked well sometimes you did feel a little rushed as it was all planned out for you. The other staff work well and hard but i must say when it came to paying our bar bill there was a little queue and just one worker who seemed to have the hump and was made worse when my friend had torn up her other white card.
Would i go again yes for the price we paid it was better than expected if people were to moan then why have they not paid more to stay somewhere else if you want the ritz than expect to pay for it

First of all, are these Brits below reviewing a travel agent or this hotel?? I have a great tip for you: DON´T TRAVEL ON ORGANIZED TOURS!

Anyway, Grand Hotel Vianden is a nice hotel, nothing fancy and a bit dated interior but it´s clean and comfy. Our room (one with bathtub) was pretty big and had a balcony.

We didn´t have dinner in the hotel (another tip, get your food from a local restaurant instead of eating in the hotel) but the breakfast was OK. Nice selection of bread, croissants, cold cuts, cheese, yoghurt, descent coffee machine.

All in all this is not a 5 star hotel but typically what I expect from a small tourist town like Vianden for the price you pay.

This 3 star hotel is run by a very efficient husband and wife team with very few other staff. It is situated just a short walk away from the pretty town centre and the spectacular castle. The weather was lovely for the time of year which enabled us to enjoy afternoon tea on the terrace. Our room had been recently refurbished. We were on an organised coach trip with Galloways who always use this hotel for their trips to Luxembourg.