- Stats
For people looking for a hotel in Leiden, or to be close to Schiphol or Den Haag, the HGI Leiden is an attractive proposition. The hotel is new and at attractives rates (70 euros/night during weekend).
Check In
Checkin was efficient and went smoothly. I was given 2 bottles of water as Gold benefits and the key to my King Room.
Room
The room was adequate and spacious enough. The furniture is typical for a HGI and still feel new. The carpet on the other hand was quite stained already. Comfortable bed, bathroom with shower cabinet, standard HGI amenities, there was nothing to complain on that front.
Gym
There is a small gym located on the 7th floor. Positives are that there are windows with a view. Negatives are the small amount of space and lack of yoga mat. There are one multi function strengthening machine, 2 elliptical machine, 2 treadmills and 2 bycicles, plus a collection of weights and medicinal balls.
Service
The staff was friendly but lacks a bit of focus on the customer, specially the restaurant staff. I ate there the first evening due to a late arrival and the staff had a tendance to forgot I existed, thus it took me longer than planned to go through the dinner.
The front desk staff was helpful with public transport.
Dining
There is a restaurant with overpriced items and comfort food. I would not dine here except for if you really do not want to go to Leiden.
The breakfast buffet was a bit disappointing, though they have made to order waffles.
Location
The hotel is a bit out of the way, which is the price to pay for cheap fare I am afraid, Nevertheless it is actually not a problem for a solo traveller or couple.
The hotel is near the biology department of the university, on the opposite side of the highway. It is located 1,6 km from Leiden Centrum.
The nearest bus stop is a 8 minute walk away, it is called Transferiun. Lines 30/31/38 (Leiden Centraal <—> Katwijk) will stop there. There is a bus every 10 minutes or less during day, 15 minutes late evening or on Sunday). The fare is 2 euros.
To go to the hotel from the bus stop: go in the same direction as the bus and cross the road, then turn right on the bicycle lane following the canal. After the Avery Dennison building turn left then right, pass the parking building then right again and you are in front of the door. Note the bicycle lane is not illuminated at night.
The buidling beside the hotel is Corpus, a unique museum where the visitor is going through the inside of a human body over 4 or 5 storeys,
Overall
The HGI Leiden is a pleasant alternative to den Haag , located in a charming Dutch city.
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