Grand Hotel Karel V

Utrecht

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Utrecht's only five-star hotel started life as a 14th-century monastery and hosted visiting knights and sovereigns, including Holy Roman Emperor Charles (Karel) V in 1543. It was rebuilt as a grand military hospital in 1823. Today, the high-quality hotel rooms, complete with canopy beds, are split between the Napoleon-classical main building ('Empire rooms') and the 2007 'Roman Wing'.

The wellness centre has a good sauna, tiny pool (too small for swimming) and a so-called 'Turkish Bath' that's actually more like a steamy shower-booth. There's an excellent, grandly formal restaurant and a large walled garden ideal for sipping a sundowner. Parking/bicycle hire costs €12/16 per day. Reception and vehicle entry is from the west side, but pedestrian access to the old city is via Springweg.

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