Pillows Grand Hotel Ter Borch

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Hotelchain: Pillows hotels
Location: Zwolle – The Netherlands
Classification: 4 star hotel
Official websitepillowshotels.com/zwolle/nl

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After my stay at Pillows Brussels, I fell in love with Pillows hotels and I always wanted to explore Pillows Grand Hotel Ter Borch in Zwolle. I finally got to stay here when visiting this charming small city in the Netherlands. The location is perfect, the hotel is located in a residential area with not too much traffic. The building is just gorgeous and has been renovated in a very stylish way.

From the moment you arrive you know you have stepped into a classy stylish establishment with designer elements all over the place. We were swiftly checked in to our room & the service from all the hotel staff was impeccable from start to finish. Their warm welcome made it feel like coming home. No ordinary check in here (as usual at any Pillows hotel) – they use their tablet to check you in while you can enjoy a complimentary welcome drink while seated in one of the most comfortable couches. Always a good start!

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The deluxe room we had was both picturesquely beautiful and wonderfully cozy, with all the luxuries I’d expect from a fine hotel and a few more on top such as the Bluetooth streaming Tivoli speakers. The two comfortable chairs were excellent for reading a book. Everything was spotlessly clean and maintained to a very high standard. All linens were fresh, bright and clean. The bed was very comfortable. A bonus and rare for a four star hotel: turndown service! That is right, they will do anything to make sure you will have a great night.

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Bathroom had a good size and featured a walk-in shower, single sink and toilet. Pillows toiletries are provided (and I LOVE them: they smell amazing!). Bathrobes and slippers can be found in every room.

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After exploring the room, we explored the rest of the hotel and we found out that there’s a compact gym on the first floor. Although not too large, the equipment is up to date. I went jogging outside after spending some time at the gym. The location is perfect for an outdoor work-out! For ultimate relaxation, Pillows Grand Hotel Ter Borch has two infrared saunas which can be used at an additional charge (15 EUR / hour).

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We had dinner at the Coperto Restobar which is located in the new-build conservatory. It was a delightful occasion. The staff were attentive and good humored. The was food beautiful with generous servings, the wine list unbelievably diverse and excellent. I definitely enjoyed the ‘just fucking good wine’ which tasted absolutely amazing. Again, the overall quality of the food was outstanding! As a starter, I thoroughly enjoyed a steak tartare from Ijssel beef with some grape mustard, brittle wafer and cauliflower (I could eat this every day!). The smoked trout in combination with organic carrot, prawn crisps and herring roe was just delicious! And there’s always room for dessert: cheesecake with marinated pineapple and Bastogne caramel biscuits were to die for…The service was quick and efficient but there was no sense of being rushed during the dinner.

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Breakfast is something to look forward to at Pillows Grand Hotel Ter Borch! As usual, they serve breakfast at table and will make you will have a great start of the day. The homemade granola with Greek yoghurt was outstanding! The à la carte items – which are all included – are of a very good standard… on top of that, you can enjoy several cheeses, meet and fish… Again, all of a very good quality! The freshly baked bread from the local bakery was a bonus!

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The service at Pillows Grand Hotel Ter Borch is impeccable. It’s all in the details and the hotel is well aware of that. The rooms are well appointed and the staff are super friendly and helpful. Everything felt right here! Highly recommended!

Pillows Anna van den Vondel

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Hotelchain: Pillows hotels
Location: Amsterdam – The Netherlands
Classification: 4 star hotel
Official websitepillowshotels.com/amsterdam-vondel

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Pillows Anna van den Vondel is a fine boutique hotel near the Vondelpark, the largest city park in Amsterdam and one of the most famous parks in the Netherlands! The hotel is centrally placed south of the Leidseplein and near the Van Gogh Museum which is only a 12 minute walk away. Pillows Anna van den Vondel recently got a complete make over and is one of the best four star hotels I have stayed at in Amsterdam!

As every Pillows hotel, the central place to meet people is their Living Room. I just love their ‘feeling home’ concept and with only 31 rooms, this hotel definitely treats their guests in a very personal yet professional way. The decoration is beautiful and I spotted nice artwork all over the place. The welcome drink upon arrival is always a good start! The staff genuinely cared about us. Each time we went through the Lobby we were acknowledged with a smile or a welcome back or a few words on how our trip was going which is what sets a great hotel from an okay hotel. Whenever we came across the housekeeping staff in the corridors they always greeted us with a smile and a quick hello.

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All rooms at Pillows Anna van den Vondel are of a four star level. The room we stayed in was compact, but had all the amenities one could wish for. The bedding and lines were top notch! Our room was as you would expect, spotlessly clean and turndown service was provided. Some items I liked particularly were the Bluetooth streaming Tivoli audio system as well as the smart control system for lights, air conditioning and door locking.  Bathroom featured single sink, toilet and a walk-in shower. It was a great room to hang out and unwind!

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After a wonderful night, we were ready for breakfast! As usaual, breakfast at a Pillows hotel is something to look forward to! The combination of à la carte and buffet style is the perfect match for me. The homemade granola is a must try! Once again, the service was excellent and nothing was asked for too much!

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By the way, the Living Room is the perfect place to enjoy some light bites and drinks. From Monday – Thursday, the open ‘domestic kitchen’ is open and the chef will prepare a daily changing menu prepared with local ingredients. The Table d’Hotes concept is great and although I did not experience it myself, I’m sure the food here is delicious…

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Pillows Anna van den Vondel is a a top notch four star boutique hotel. Although I could stay in the hotel all day long, make sure to go out and explore the Vondelpark. It is a gorgeous park and is full of people who are enjoying a sunny day, dog-walking, jogging, listening to music and even some people watching (I just love doing that… 🙂 ). Do note that Pillows Anna van de Vondel has its own private garden. I can imagine that during summer, this is a very nice spot to enjoy the sun while reading a book!

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I loved my stay at Pillows Anna van den Vondel, incredible how they manage to make you feel at home from the very first minute. That’s what Pillows hotels is standing for, their service level is high and unseen at any four star hotel in Amsterdam. Highly recommended!

Pillows Grand Hotel Place Rouppe – Brussels

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Hotelchain: Pillows Hotels
Location: Brussels – Belgium
Classification: 4 star hotel
Official websitepillowshotels.com/brussels

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Pillows Grand Hotel Place Rouppe is one of the best four star boutique hotel I know in our beautiful capital of Brussels. This hotel recently had a complete make over and I loved loved loved my stay here! The location is excellent, the beautiful city center with the spectacular Grand Place is only a 10 minute walk away. On your way to the city center, you will pass the famous Manneken Pis.

With only 43 rooms, Pillows Grand Hotel Place Rouppe is a small hotel which is why they are able to treat their guests in a very personal way. Right upon arrival, we were welcomed with a smile and everything we needed to know about the hotel was told in a very kind way. Checking in while enjoying a welcome drink is always a nice start! I immediately noticed the most comfortable and trendy couches in the lobby area which they call the ‘Living’ – and I can easily see why… this is a perfect place to work, unwind or reading while meeting fellow travelers all over the world. I must highlight the beautiful art work and soft colors they used to decorate the hotel.

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After the wonderful check-in, we were ready to check out the rooms. The room we stayed in was very comfortable and featured one of the best beds I have slept in! They are wonderful! The room looked brand new and had a descent size. I enjoyed the French balcony with picture perfect views over Place Rouppe. Other things I appreciated was the Nespresso coffee machine and separate toilet. Bathroom had walk-in shower and single sink. The Pillows toiletries smelled amazing! Every night, turn down service is offered which is seldom at a four star hotel… another advantage of this great hotel!

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The hotel opened a couple of months ago and they are about to open a brand new spa area which will be opened in the first quarter of 2018. Guests will be able to use a brand new fitness facility, a sauna and steam room. Spa treatments will be offered as well. Do note that only a few hotels in Brussels offer wellness facilities, especially right in the center of Brussels!

What I liked most about our stay, was their restaurant The Living Room’s Domestic Kitchen which is headed by Chef Trung Hoang. He is an excellent chef and worked at The Dorchester in London (***), Va Doux Vent (*) in Uccle and La Durrée (**) in Izegem. The restaurant is beautifully decorated and the staff was very professional and knowledgeable about each dish. The whole dining experience took 2 hours and we thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it. This showed that this restaurant and the management is progressive and strived to make a better dining experience. As a starter we enjoyed an asparagus soup followed by salmon … An exceptional dish of autumn colors and flavors with the salmon dressed with radicchio. The duck – as a main course – was absolutely delicious and was the best duck I have ever eaten, hands down! The merengue which we had for dessert was yummie… I could eat this every single day J Make sure to book your table here, you won’t be disappointed!

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After a great night, we were ready for breakfast! After our dining experience of the previous evening, our expectations were high and I’m happy to point out they were met again! What a wonderful breakfast they serve at Pillows Grand Hotel Place. This definitely is not a standard breakfast… it is an à la carte breakfast in combination with a (small) buffet with high quality products. The Greek Yoghurt with granola and honey was to die for. Again, service was top notch!

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Pillows Grand Hotel Place Rouppe is a one of the best rated hotels in Brussels and I can easily see why. The location is very convenient, the rooms are wonderful, the food is delicious and the service is outstanding! I loved every minute of my stay here and can’t wait to return!