We stayed May 2-3, 2008 on the 8th floor. Nice business-class hotel with comfortable beds, a tub with curtain in the bathroom, large tv, workdesk and a full closet, minibar, and two chairs and a small cocktail table. We turned on the room air-conditioning in the evenings (the windows do not open). We did not buy the breakfast - instead we made instant coffee with the provided hot water kettle and ate some pastries we bought the prior day from the Bakerij Bart or similar bakery. We used the 10€/hr internet service by paying online with our credit card. (I also went to an internet shop called Wzzrd at Vismarkt 21, at canal level, to log in to print our boarding passes for 1.40€).

The hotel is about a 10-minute walk from the train station, through the large terminal and shops, and across the bus terminal parking lanes. Each time we left the hotel to go explore the 'old center', we crossed through this terminal mall, then the Hoog Catherine mall, then a street with more modern stores, and then finally the more charming older section. We took the canal cruise and did some exploring on foot, saw the Domtoren and Domkerk, several nice cafe terraces, and some visually pleasing streets beyond the Domtoren (around St Pieterskerk?). There was a large outdoor market on Saturday just as you exit the Hoog Catherine mall.

We saw the other NH Utrecht (Centre) hotel - I think we would have enjoyed the 'ambience' of Utrecht a bit more had we booked this location. The room rate was slightly higher and we would have taken a taxi to it from the train station, as it was a bit too far to pull luggage. I would have prefered walking out of this hotel into a more charming atmosphere than that of the terminal malls. Utrecht is a haven for those who would enjoy a lot of shopping! Other than this comment, there are no complaints about the NH Utrecht on Jaarbeursplein - it was very nice and comfortable. We booked several months in advance of our trip and our rate was about 10-15€ less than what I saw on the website over subsequent months.

We had originally reserved a double at the NH Centre, which, as the name suggests, is located smack in the middle of the old town. We had booked three months in advance (bookings.com) but when we arrived we were told that all the rooms were occupied. We were then offered an "upgrade" for the NH on Jaarbeursplein, which is a four star property.

The NH on Jaarbeursplein is located right next to the railroad station and the huge "Hoog Catherijne" shopping mall. It is about one kilometer from downtown Utrecht. If you walk through Hoog Catherijne (which connects to the station) you need at least not worry about getting wet or cold. So the location is relatively convenient, although not as convenient as the NH Centre would have been. Your room, if located on one of the upper floors, is guaranteed to command spectacular views of the shopping mall (a 70s monstrosity), the railroad station (a 70s monstrosity), or the metropolitan bus terminal (need I say more?). Staying at the NH, you will at least be spared a view of the hotel itself (if you stay indoors that is), which is a 70s monstrosity.

Rooms are clean and air conditioned, so that is a definite plus. We skipped breakfast because it was not included and overpriced. Service was so-so, there were some nice complimentary convenience bags (including shampoo, body milk, etc.) instead of the generic chocolates on the pillows. There is a "private" section for hotel guests in the parking garage just around the corner. Parking is NOT free. Nevertheless, I advise you to park your car for the duration of your stay, as driving around Utrecht is a real pain in the *****.

NH Utrecht is certainly not a bad hotel but it does lack inspiration and the little extra flair that one may expect from a four star hotel. Because we got the room for under EUR 90,- (we were "upgraded", remember?) it was ok, but I would never spend more than that on such a drab place.

Utrech itself is one of the most beautiful cities in the Netherlands, make sure you see the quaint little canals, wharves, and medieval buildings.

I have stayed at the NH Utrecht three times now, whilst visiting an exhibition regularly held in Utrecht. Now, I have to make an admission here - I am a railway fan, so the view from the top floor bar and the breakfast room of the station was ideal - but no more!

I also met friends with similar interests there, so I'd refrained from offering criticism up to now. But following the revamping of the NH chain by its Spanish owners, the NH Utrecht has dropped off the radar because they've closed the top floor bar!!

Since it's unlikely I shall want to stay there in future, I no longer feel constrained to respect my friends' enthusiasm and can offer criticism. But this isn't just sour grapes. There is a real problem with this hotel, and that is the fire precautions. (My qualification for commenting on this is my work as a staff side health & safety representative in the UK.)

The main fire escape staircase is, in my opinion, dangerous. The treads are too narrow and the risers too steep. I tried using the staircase once and found I had to go down it sideways. I would not like to try it in a hurry.

The floors I have stayed on only have water fire extinguishers and a hose reel. There is minimal signing of the escape route and no signing of the extinguishers at all. EU-standard fire signage requires extinguishers to be marked by a sign showing what type of extinguisher is provided and what fires they can and cannot be used on. This is not done in the NH Utrecht. And if anyone thinks this is just EU nanny-stateism, the reason is because you cannot use water extinguishers on electrical fires. Unfortunately, there are no CO2 extinguishers - which can be used on electrical fires - on the accommodation floors of the hotel. So if your television or kettle or light fittings catch fire in the hotel, get out of the room and out of the hotel because you will be risking death by electrocution if you try to tackle the fire with the equipment provided.

Also: the plan on the back of my room door about how to find the fire escape was of no use whatsoever, because it was in the wrong room!

I had wondered if the top floor bar had been closed because there was no disabled access (access was by stairs only). However, the replacement breakfast room was no better as that, too, is accessed by a short flight of stairs.

Other criticisms pale into insignificance against the fire precautions (or lack thereof). The overflow to my washbasin leaked, or at least wept slightly. My friends in an adjoining room had the same problem with their washbasin. On one occasion during my most recent stay, dirty coffee cups were not changed in my room. And the kitchen at breakfast seems to think that bacon should be cooked to a crisp.

There are good things about this hotel - the location, the attention of the staff (this year, I was there when summer time ended and the clocks were due to change; the hotel took measures to remind all guests of this and the staff were very keen to pass the message on); and if all you want is a business hotel for a conference or business meeting, then it is fine. (Though if your company insists on a risk assessment before booking accommodation, then I doubt you'll be using this hotel because it will fail!)

But I shall be very unlikely to stay at the NH in future and I would not recommend it to anyone visiting Utrecht for pleasure unless convenience to the railway station and exhibition halls was paramount.

On the other hand, I would recommend a visit to Utrecht to anyone - delightful city, many sights to see and great places to shop and eat!

I have stayed in the NH many times while on business and have to stay there is something thoroughly dismal about the place. The rooms are spacious and clean but very old fashioned and dark. The restaurants are pretty adequate but since Utrecht has some amazing restaurants in the city centre I would avoid the hotel food unless you were stuck.

Get up a few minutes early in the morning if you need to meet someone for breakfast etc since you will be waiting 10 mins for the lift:-) My colleague’s laptop was also stolen in the lobby bar on one trip so keep an eye on your luggage. The staff in this hotel can’t be faulted, they are always friendly and professional.