The hotel is beautifully situated at the river bank. Good accessibility (over narrow roads), characteristic building. Friendly, helpful reception, where English, German and French is spoken, and basic Dutch is understood. Non-smoking restaurant, but smoking is permitted in the salon as well as in at least some of the rooms.

Rooms are tastefully furnished, although on a budget. We had a room with a view on the river and a balcony. Good cleanliness, small TV, minibar, and a very good bed with oldfashioned sheets-and-blankets. No coffee maker in the room (but my wife was smart enough to suggest we take the Senseo machine).

Facilities are excellent, and some of them are gleefully patently bonkers. There is a spa/wellness centre that is literally built into the rocks - you have to see it to grasp it. And on the terrace, there is a larger-than-life chess board with larger-than-life chess pieces.

Breakfast buffet is 'adequate' to Continental tastes - don't expect anything like a Full English (sad to say that the coffee served at breakfast reminded me of England). The restaurant was a mixed experience for us - I wouldn't have handpicked these steaks, but it was masterfully cooked, though - it looked like the chef had pulled all stops to make a decent steak of this lump of meat, and for the most part, he succeeded (I would've thrown the towel myself). Given the right stuff, he would've had a stellar result. It may have been an incidental mistake on the part of the butcher. The sauce bearnaise was great, and so were the other dishes.

Service all around was excellent - typical for a family-ran hotel. Friendly and cheerful and unobtrusive at the same time, and helpful without being overly humble.

The surroundings definitely help. The ruins of Bourscheid Castle are right around the corners, and if you like the Ardennes region, you'll feel right at home here. Bring a nippy car that is not afraid of taking tight turns.

All in all, considering the price, a very pleasant surprise.