Auberge de Smockelaer Map, Address, Transportation & Nearest Stations and Airport

Just completed our yearly science and technology conference and as always had a wonderful time staying at the Van der Valk hotel. The food was as always very good, but what really made this trip exceptional was the staff. To name a few Iris and Stephan, where both were impressive in taking care of our needs. With a special thank you to Stephan for his exceptional professionalism and amazing technical skills.

For a friend, Macheng is the only hotel without diamonds. It seems to be a hotel with a historical building. I like this recommendation of tone and historical sense. But the friend said that it was not as good as the crown by the river looked at the atmosphere, mainly because the room was remodeled from the interior of the building, and the room was not as good as the international hotel.

This hotel is located in an excellent location, directly on the Maas, right next to the footbridge, which connects the Wyck district with the old town and center. So you are really in the middle. The hotel sprays an acidified 80er-Jahre-Charme, everything is something old, everything is a little tired. We found check-in and check-out very difficult. When check-out, only one person was there, although you had to know that many guests would leave the hotel by 12:00. A cravater was long wrong without appreciating the very long serpent even one look. Finally, he fell down to help check out. The hotel has a restaurant and a bar, but the latter closes early, the slum drink must be removed from your leg. The minibar in our room was empty. All costs extra (parking, powerful WiFi, etc.) All in all is conditional to recommend.

After years of visiting this wellness, I made a booking for the hotel for Jan 1st to 2nd to start the year in full relax mode. It was a disappoin**ent at best. First impressions are everlasting impressions in any business. Especially in the hospitality business. When anyone walks through the doors of a hotel, those first 2 minutes determines the entire perspective on their stay. My initial experience walking into this place unfortunately set a nasty outlook. We showed up an hour earlier then our booking foreseed, and thus, basically got told to ”take a hike”. Allow me to elaborate… During the booking, I was asked to put an “estimated time of arrival”, however, as an internationally travelling guest, it is obviously impossible to input an exact time of arrival. Little did we know that this was going to be such an issue. We got told that, because I had input 12:00 in the system as my ESTIMATED arrival time, we were not allowed to check in or access the spa. We were even told that the wellness spa was closed, and would only open at 12:00 since it was Jan 1st (Regardless if we paid 2 full days of access). I couldn't help but wonder, if this is the case, why even offer 2 days of access for those specific days? It’s basically selling something that will never be delivered… in my business that’s called theft. Now, when I asked what could be done to accommodate us, they told us basically to take a hike.... Yep, ”Ga wandelen” is what she said, to be exact. As pissed off as I was, I couldn't help but notice loads of people inside, some getting stuff out of rooms, going to drop stuff in their cars, and going to the wellness.... yet, for us, nothing could be done to accommodate us! Nothing at all..... so, 340 € for a one-night stay just can't seem to offer any flexibility in this hotel. Not even access to sit at a restaurant, nothing, nada, ziltch! So we went for amazing jetlagged hike across the village and came back an hour later! By the time we returned, there was a huge line up at the check-in desk. We waited in line. The gentleman at the check-in apologized and offered us a complimentary bottle of wine in remediation for the inconveniences caused earlier. He also told us that we could enter the first room that had been cleaned, which was immediately available. He escorted us to our room and offered some information about the hotel facilities. I got the impression that this young staff member understood what happened, and really wanted to make our stay enjoyable - (our complimentary to him, good hospitality!!) The hotel was modern and well kept, some renovations and upgrades had been made. Our room was clean and accommodating, good size and well furnished. Coffee in the room was great! The bathroom had a full-size bath and was very functional. However, very little soap was available. Thankfully, previous experiences dictate me to bring my own. We started our experience at the wellness spa – I will review the spa separately.

It was an amazing weekend! We celebrated our anniversary with my husband and had very romantic time in this hotel. Service was excellent, we received congratulations and upgraded room. We spent time in the spa and enjoyed the dinner in the restaurant. The breakfast was outstanding!

Conveniently located close to the station (and 1 minute walk to nice lunch spots), this hotel makes you smile throughout your stay. The staff is helpfull and funny texts are everywhere (loved the doorhangers!). The room was rather 'no frills' than luxurious or comfy, but nevertheless value for money. Great place to stay and would definitely recommend it.