Tried & Tested

Hotel check: Park Plaza Utrecht

6 Dec 2012 by BusinessTraveller

WHAT’S IT LIKE? The Park Plaza Utrecht is a modern four-star hotel that is well set up for business travellers, many of whom are likely attending the nearby Jaarbeurs conference and exhibition centre. The seven-floor property has been under the Park Plaza banner since 1995, before which it was a Scandic Crown hotel. The lobby is bright, smart and functional, with a fire feature, glowing lamps and modern artworks.

Reception is immediately ahead, with the open-plan bar to the left and the guestroom lifts to the right. When I visited in late November, there were decorations up for Dutch festival Sinterklaas, which helped to create a homely feel. Staff are welcoming and efficient.

WHERE IS IT? On Westplein, a few minutes’ walk from both Utrecht Central station – the busiest intersection in the Netherlands thanks to its location in the centre of the country – and Jaarbeurs. It’s on the edge of the city’s historic centre, best accessed at the moment by walking through the station and adjoining Hoog Catharijne shopping centre as there is a lot of building work going on around the station. Amsterdam Schiphol airport is about a 40-minute drive, and there is an on-site car park (chargeable).

ROOM FACILITIES The 120 guestrooms are all 24 sqm and are split across two categories – 80 Superior rooms, which have a mixture of queen and twin beds, and 40 Executive rooms, which are all twins but can be set up as double rooms. The Executive rooms are more modern and stylish, while the Superior ones are a little older looking.

Facilities that come as standard include free wifi, a workdesk, a flatscreen TV, a Power TV keyboard to access the internet through the TV (there is a €17 daily charge for this), tea and coffee-making facilities, a fridge, air conditioning, a safe, and trouser press. Executive rooms – featuring a white, black and red colour scheme – also come with a Nespresso machine (though no kettle for tea), an iron and ironing board instead of a trouser press, a stocked minibar, robes and more toiletries. There are light switches either side of the bed and a UK as well as European plug socket by the workdesk. DVD players are available on request (a €100 deposit is required). Superior rooms have either a shower only or a bath with overhead shower, while Executive rooms are all shower only.

RESTAURANTS AND BARS Located off the lobby is Plein 50 restaurant, which is open 5pm-10pm for dinner and serves international cuisine. A buffet and à la carte breakfast is served 6.30am-10.30am (7am-11am Sat, 7am-12pm Sun), and food is also available all day in the bar. There is a private dining room seating 45 delegates. Room service is available 7am-11pm.

BUSINESS AND MEETING FACILITIES These are located on the seventh floor and comprise nine meeting rooms, the largest of which is divisible by three and holds 120 delegates theatre-style. All have daylight and there is a central foyer area with a coffee machine. There is a PC and printer in the lobby.

LEISURE FACILITIES There is a small gym (open 7am-11pm) and sauna (7am-10pm) on the seventh floor.

VERDICT A modern business hotel in a good location for the station, convention centre and city centre. It’s worth upgrading to an Executive room as they are smarter in design with more amenities.

PRICE Internet rates for a flexible midweek stay in January started from €166.50 for a Superior room.

CONTACT Park Plaza Utrecht, Westplein 50; tel +31 (0) 30 292 5200; parkplaza.com

Michelle Mannion

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