Small, nice, clean hotel in what seems to be formally a large home. It's not far from the central train station, but take a taxi. Very friendly, helpful staff. Room was clean, comfortable but not luxurious, but then that's not what van Walsum is. If you want a good value and you don't want to spend a lot, this is a good hotel. The breakfast was way above standard with a good assortment of cheeses, meats, breads, drink, fruit, cold cereal, etc. with a toaster on every table. And for you beer/drink lovers there's a small bar. The neighborhood is okay. I went out briefly at 11pm without any problems. There are two coffeeshops at the corner and some sex shops in the neighborhood, but that wasn't a problem either. I would highly recommend this hotel, and would stay there again if in rotterdam and don't want to spend an arm-and-a-leg.

Siamo appena tornati dall’Olanda la notte scorsa. Il nostro viaggio comprendeva tre notti al Van Walsum. Per quanto riguarda gli alberghi, questo è stato il pezzo grosso del viaggio. È un albergo a gestione familiare dove si viene trattati con attenzione. Parlano molte lingue. Quando ci è servito un taxi ce ne hanno fatto arrivare uno in pochi minuti. Quando ci sono servite informazioni ce le hanno date con precisione e un sorriso. Quando ci è servita la cena ci è stato proposto uno dei pasti più buoni che abbiamo mai fatto in Europa o Nord America. Sono stato sorpreso dalla qualità della cena. L’atmosfera è molto ospitale e ci si sente molto a proprio agio. Abbiamo incontrato un ricercatore di New York che ci ha detto di essere un cliente abituale di quell’albergo da 23 anni, e dal nostro soggiorni di tre notti posso certamente capire perché. Se volete qualcosa di grande e sontuoso è probabile che questo posto non faccia al caso vostro, ma se volete avere la certezza che sarete trattati bene e aiutati con ogni cosa, allora questo è il posto giusto. Io e mia moglie possiamo affermare con certezza che siamo stati trattati meglio qui che in ognuno degli altri tre viaggi che abbiamo fatto in Olanda. Aggiungerei che non siamo mai stati trattati così bene in tutti i viaggi che abbiamo fatto in tutto il mondo. Mentre leggeva questa recensione prima che la inviassi, mia moglie ha detto che “in effetti è vero: sarà difficile trovare un posto migliore di questo in futuro”.

We just returned from Holland last night . Our trip included 3 nights at the Van Walsum. As far as hotels go, that was the high point of our trip. Hotel Van Walsum is a family owned hotel and they take good care of you. They speak many languages with ease. When we needed a taxi we had a taxi called for us in minutes. When we needed information it was forthcoming with a smile and a very good explanation. When we needed supper it was provided in actually the finest meals we have ever had anywhere in our travels in both Europe and North America . I was amazed at the quality of the evening meals. It is a very friendly atmosphere and you feel while you are there that you belong. We met a medical researcher from New York who told us he has becoming there to stay while doing research in Rotterdam for 23 years. I can certainly understand why after our three night stay. If big and flashy is your thing than maybe this isnt you place but if you like to KNOW you will be well taken care of and you can get help when you need it and you like the feeling of belonging then this is the place. For me and my wife , we would say without question that of the four trips to Holland we have taken we were cared for better here than anywhere else. I would broaden that to of all our trips we have taken we were cared for here better than anywhere else we have ever stayed and there have been many. (As my wife read this before I submitted it, her comment was. "That is certainly true. It would be hard to top our stay there!" ) Don and Linda Dulmage Bellville Ontario Canada

I stayed at the hotel van Walsum in early February 2005 while traveling solo for work. The hotel desk staff and chef were helpful and very friendly. The room was like others I had stayed in western Europe: 2 twin beds, comfortable bedding, desk and TV, small bath and shower. There is a small dining room for breakfast (Dutch-style 'buffet' with coffee, tea, juices, cereals, bread, cheese, meats) and dinner (multi-course, delicious, I felt like I had a personal chef with something tasty to surprise me with every night: roast chicken, pork tenderloin, beefsteak, all with soup and salad and interesting local vegetables and a potato dish). The dining room closes at 20:00/8 pm. The cigarette smoke was sometimes overwhelming, but as a non-smoking Californian I know I have low tolerance and this is just a part of traveling in Europe! I will go back to Rotterdam for work next month, and I will most likely stay at the Van Walsum again. I've stayed at the Tulip Inn near the Erasmusbrug and the Van Walsum rooms are virtually the same, it's on a much quieter street and it's just a smaller more pleasant hotel (and the Van Walsum has wireless internet available!). The only minor drawback for me is it's location, a bus ride, transfer, and tram ride to the hospital where I work at--about an hour commute. The hotel staff suggested taking the bus to Centraal instead of Tram 5, it takes about 20-30 minutes in the morning (lots of school kids on the bus, lots of stops) and evening. Since I was working during the day and didn't have anyone to go out with at night I didn't get out around the hotel, but the staff said it's an easy walk to the Museumplein and there were pleasant parks and walkways around the nearest canals.

The Van Walsum is about 20 min walk from Central Station, or 5 mins on Tram 4. Its a friendly place, rooms are basic but clean with a good sized bathroom. Its worth upgrading to the deluxe double if you can - large rooms with balcony, fireplace, and beautiful ceilings. Good beer on tap and also an excellent buffet breakfast. There is also a comfy lounge with internet access and lots of magazines. The hotel chef will do you a great meal, downside is its a fixed price 3-course meal. Not to worry though there are plenty of good eateries nearby: Good Italian just a few doors down, The Wester Pavilion Grand Cafe that does good and cheap meals, Foodies, Eten and Luxor restaurants and best of all Dizzy Jazz pub for good food and jazz on Mondays/Tuesdays. The area is an interesting mix of record shops, designer furniture shops, cafes for eating and smoking and some dodgy looking go-go bars. This hotel is great value for money and highly recommended - and in Rotterdam there is not a lot of choice. I would also recommend this hotel for families, not something I'd say for most hotels at this price range in Rotterdam.