Explore the Best of the Netherlands: Haarlam, Rotterdam and Leiden during April 2026 - Best of the Tulip Lands
The Netherlands | Apr 10 - Apr 20, 2026

M
Maria and Gene S.
Atlanta, GA | Reviewed on Apr 26, 2026

1- Yental, the food tour guide was excellent and even cleaned bird crap from Maria's hair.
2- The Malt's Hotel in Harlem was beautiful. Henk and Annemarie were amazing owners, very friendly, knowledgeable and accommodating hosts. Very clean and excellent breakfasts . The stairs would be an issue if we were older or had knee or back issues. Thank God we are not there yet. We give them an A+
3 - The James Hotel was excellent, sleek and modern, but room 410 was too dark and would benefit from an additional standing light or brighter and dimmable ceiling lights. The $15 vouchers each per person, per day, were perfect for a delicious, hearty breakfast, plus evening snacks and drinks were great. The hotel staff and cafe personnel were professional, super friendly and helpful! A+
4 - The Huys van Leyden Boutique Hotel was so beautiful. The amazing breakfast buffet, plus made to order omelets and pancakes were sooo delicious. Our room #12 was clean and beautiful, also was our favorite hotel room on the trip. However, the stairs to our room and then the 2nd floor stairs to the bathroom would be an issue for some one older with mobility issues but we loved it! The outside rooftop patio was a special treat, but needed to be swept. We would suggest a total of 4 chairs outside, since we were traveling with another couple, and we had a lovely Happy Hour there. Love the green parrots and magpies flying around! The bed pillows were too soft and fluffy. Suggest the addition of 2 firm pillows per room. The staff there were excellent, friendly and most accommodating. A+
5. All of the museums, the canal tour, the Anne Frank House, the bike reservations, Keukenhof Flower Show and Parade, the trip to Gouda with the wine and cheese tasting were all excellent. It was extremely helpful to have all the ticket reservations made in advance, along with the train, bus and tram passes too! It was the trip of a lifetime in a magical country!

Hotel Reviews
Hotel Malts B&B
Haarlem

see previous comments

Authenticity & Character
Authentic cultural experience
Location
Quiet and lovely
Staff
Superb!
Cleanliness & Comfort
Everything was immaculate!
The James Hotel Rotterdam
Rotterdam

see previous comments

Authenticity & Character
Authentic modern cultural experience
Location
Modern and sleek.
Staff
Amazingly professional and helpful staff!
Cleanliness & Comfort
Modern and clean
Huys van Leiden
Leiden

see previous comments

Authenticity & Character
Authentic cultural hotel with a gorgeuous antique vibe!
Location
Close to everything we were seeing !
Staff
Amazing professional, patient, friendly and accommodating staff.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Very clean and comfortable. Suggest 2 firmer pillows per room.
Activity Reviews
Haarlem - Self-guided cycling route to the Keukenhof & through the tulip fields
Haarlem - Self-guided cycling route to the Keukenhof & through the tulip fields
The Netherlands
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Haarlem -- Frans Hals Museum
Haarlem -- Frans Hals Museum
The Netherlands
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Haarlem - Half-day trip to Zaanse Schans by public transport
Haarlem - Half-day trip to Zaanse Schans by public transport
The Netherlands
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Haarlem - Windmill de Adriaan
Haarlem - Windmill de Adriaan
The Netherlands
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Amsterdam -  Grand Dutch Food & History Tour in a small group
Amsterdam - Grand Dutch Food & History Tour in a small group
The Netherlands
Quality of Experience
Food and beverages were perfect and delicious!
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Yental , our guide, was excellent!
Transport
Haarlem - Day trip to Amsterdam by public transport
Haarlem - Day trip to Amsterdam by public transport
Haarlem
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Public transport pass Netherlands (OV chip card)
Public transport pass Netherlands (OV chip card)
The Netherlands

The OV chip card did not allow us to use the public toilets!!!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Very clean public transporation!
Amsterdam - Van Gogh Museum
Amsterdam - Van Gogh Museum
The Netherlands
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Amsterdam - Canal cruise (join in)
Amsterdam - Canal cruise (join in)
The Netherlands

Booking was a problem. They did NOT have our KimKim reservation, but were able to rebook us later that same day.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Amsterdam - Rijksmuseum
Amsterdam - Rijksmuseum
The Netherlands
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Delft - Vermeer Center
Delft - Vermeer Center
The Netherlands
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Rotterdam - Day trip to Gouda
Rotterdam - Day trip to Gouda
Rotterdam
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Amsterdam - Anne Frank House
Amsterdam - Anne Frank House
The Netherlands

The only problem was the location of the headset activation numbers in each room! We had to walk in front of others already in the room. It was annoying to the visitors already there listening to the Anne Frank stories and to us. The activation numbers need to be relocated directly as you enter the room, on each side of the room entry, for better flow of visitors.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Rotterdam - FENIX
Rotterdam - FENIX
The Netherlands
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
The Hague - Mauritshuis Museum
The Hague - Mauritshuis Museum
The Netherlands
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Delft - Delft blue pottery
Delft - Delft blue pottery
The Netherlands
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Gouda - Cheese Experience
Gouda - Cheese Experience
The Netherlands
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Keukenhof Flower Parade 2026
Keukenhof Flower Parade 2026
The Netherlands

Amazing flower parade ! A MUST DO!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
We biked
Transport
By bike was amazing
Leiden - Lakenhal Museum
Leiden - Lakenhal Museum
The Netherlands
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Gouda - Stroopwafel workshop
Gouda - Stroopwafel workshop
The Netherlands

The owner and tour person was excellent!!!!! Best Stroopwafels in all of the the Netherlands!!!!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Leiden - Hortus Botanicus
Leiden - Hortus Botanicus
The Netherlands

Most plants were not blooming and the displays looked old and shabby. Really needs a clean up and up to date makeover.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Fleur Tuinte