Grand Hotel Karel V, WorldHotels Luxury

Hotels
•
WorldHotels Luxury
8.9 (3155 reviews)
Geertebolwerk 1 , Utrecht , NL
+31 30 233 7555

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Paid
Children allowed

Facilities

Fitness facilities
WiFi available
Free WiFi
Parking
Non-smoking rooms
Air conditioning
Fitness center
Swimming pool
24-hour front desk
Restaurant
See all facilities

Review Highlights

Pros:
Very helpful and friendly staff across front desk, bar and grounds
Excellent central location (near station, shopping, historic centre)
Beautiful, historic hotel and well-appointed rooms (Empire executive, mezzanine)
Excellent breakfasts and a highly-regarded gastronomic restaurant
Quiet, pleasant garden and overall luxurious ambiance
On-site parking available
Cons:
Significant cleanliness incident reported (cockroaches)
Sauna out of service and gym closed for some guests
Pool small and crowded
Breakfasts can be expensive / extra cost
No free bottled water in rooms; some toilets lack bidet/cleaning water

Categories

Cleanliness
6.5
One review reported finding two cockroaches (shower and bedside), which strongly affected perceived cleanliness; other reviews did not mention major cleanliness problems.
Service
10
Repeated praise for very helpful, friendly and attentive staff (front desk, bar, grounds); manager handled a cancellation professionally and staff assisted with special requests.
Location
10
Consistently praised — central, very close to the train station, shopping and historic centre; praised garden and quiet central setting.
Room Quality
10
Many positive comments about beautiful, historic and well-decorated rooms (Empire executive, mezzanine, spacious rooms) and thoughtful in-room touches.
Amenities
7
Multiple complaints: sauna out of service, gym closed, small busy pool, no free bottled water; also at least one reviewer noted lack of bidet/cleaning water in toilets.
Value for Money
9.2
Mixed signals: several guests noted the hotel is not cheap and breakfast can be costly, but many described the stay as a worthwhile luxury experience and praised services and facilities overall.
Food and Beverage
9
Breakfasts were frequently described as excellent and plentiful; the gastronomic restaurant received strong praise, though some guests found breakfast pricing high.
Overall Experience
9.5
Overall very positive: guests called it a fantastic, historic and luxurious stay with strong location and service, tempered by isolated cleanliness and amenity issues.
* This sentiment is summarized by AI based on user reviews.
Updated at: 2026-11-05 14:22

Property Description

Luxurious Accommodations and Green Oases
Experience the tranquility of Grand Hotel Karel V's lush gardens and cozy terraces, offering a peaceful retreat in the heart of Utrecht.

Culinary Excellence at Restaurant Karel 5
Indulge in a gastronomic journey at Restaurant Karel 5, where Michelin-starred dishes are served in an elegant setting, promising an unforgettable dining experience.

Wellness and Spa Retreat
Relax and rejuvenate at our gym, wellness center, and spa, ensuring a harmonious blend of comfort and rejuvenation during your stay.

Immerse yourself in the charm of Grand Hotel Karel V and book your stay today to enjoy the perfect blend of luxury, relaxation, and culinary delights.

Important information:

Please note that extra beds are only possible in the Superior Double or Twin Room and in the Superior Suite.
A deposit may be required at the property.

Check-in and check-out hours:
Check-out: 11:00 AM
Airport code: AMS

Location

Guest Reviews

8.9
Based on 3155 reviews
Cleanliness: 6.5
Service: 10
Location: 10
Room Quality: 10
Amenities: 7
Value for Money: 9.2
Food and Beverage: 9
Overall Experience: 9.5
B
Benjamin • couple • be
10
2026-11-06 • via Nuitee
G
Georges • couple • be
7
2026-11-06 • via Nuitee
E
Ellen Charlotte • couple • de
10
Pros:

Wir haben das Karel V für unser Hochzeitswochenende in Utrecht ausgesucht und es war die beste Wahl die wir hätten treffen können.

Das Zimmer war wunderbar und das Personal aufmerksam und zuvorkommend. Zudem wurden wir mit einer kleinen Aufmerksamkeit zu unserer Hochzeit überrascht.

Der Spa Bereich hat uns gut gefallen und wir würden jederzeit wiederkommen!
.

2026-11-06 • via Nuitee
P
Patrique • couple • nl
10
Pros:

Alsof je in wakker word in een droom. Als een koning geslapen en wakker geworden met uitzicht op een paleis tuin. en de bedden fantastisch ruim en super comfortabel

2026-11-05 • via Nuitee
G
Guido • solo_traveller • de
8
Gute Ausstattung in zentraler Lage
Pros:

Gute Lage, zentral und doch ruhig, Personal sehr freundlich und bemüht, Ausstattung und Sauberkeit gut, grds alles wie beschrieben.

Cons:

Sauna war gesperrt wegen Renovierung, Türen auf den Zimmern gehen sehr laut zu, leider hört man Gäste auf den Fluren. War im Nebengebäude, zum Frühstück müsste man über den Hof.

2026-11-02 • via Nuitee
S
Stuart • couple • gb
9
2026-11-02 • via Nuitee
F
Frederik • couple • nl
10
2026-11-02 • via Nuitee
M
Maarten • couple • nl
10
Pros:

Prachtige kamer geweldig rustig midden in Utrecht

Cons:

Het zwembad is keuterig, meer een bak water dan zwembad

2026-11-02 • via Nuitee
F
FELICIA • couple • gb
8
Nice stay for 2 nights, but it would have been excellent if we had a quieter room.
Pros:

Great location, comfortable rooms, beautiful grounds.

Cons:

Our room was quite noisy in the main atrium and ground floor of the Roman wing. There needs to be more soundproofing.

2026-11-02 • via Nuitee
C
Claus • couple • de
10
2026-11-01 • via Nuitee
M
Monique • couple • nl
10
Fantastische ervaring
Pros:

De zorgvuldigheid van het personeel en gebouw.

Cons:

Wel erg prijzig

2026-11-01 • via Nuitee
J
Jan • couple • nl
9
Pros:

Het ontvangst op de parkeerplaats begon al goed

Cons:

De ontbijtkamer is te klein voor een volgeboekt hotel, helaas moet je dan wachten in een zijkamer.
Maar het ontbijt en personeel maakt alles weer goed

2026-11-01 • via Nuitee
H
Helmut • solo_traveller • de
6
Okay, aber das Preis-Leistungs-Verhältnis stimmte nicht.
Pros:

Ein wunderschöner Bau von außen, klassizistisch, direkt am Rand der Fußgängerzone.

Cons:

Die Einrichtung ist in die Jahre gekommen, Badezimmer und Toilette sehen aus wie aus den Achtzigern. Dazu sehr hellhörig, man hört den Fahrstuhl so deutlich, als würde man darin sich befinden. Auch wenn alles gepflegt ist, müssen die Zimmer dringend renoviert werden, wenn sie ein Fünf Sterne Hotel sein wollen. Im Spabereich ist die Sauna ausgefallen.

2026-11-01 • via Nuitee
A
Alette • couple • nl
9
2026-11-01 • via Nuitee
A
Antonia • couple • de
9
2026-11-01 • via Nuitee
S
Sandra • solo_traveller • nl
10
Erg fijn
Pros:

Alles was zeer god georganiseerd, personeel heel behulpzaam, fijne plek

2026-10-31 • via Nuitee
Y
YaHui • couple • tw
9
2026-10-31 • via Nuitee
L
Louiza • couple • nl
10
Ik werd ziek en dat heeft de manger netjes opgelost om toch te anuleren dat was een uitmuntendw service op en top echtwa
Pros:

Alles was top alleen jammer ik werd ziek

2026-10-31 • via Nuitee
V
Valerie • couple • nl
10
2026-10-30 • via Nuitee
R
Richards • solo_traveller • us
10
Wonderful, historic stay, would stay here again!
Pros:

Beautiful scenery !

2026-10-30 • via Nuitee