Here for second stay at the Conferentiecentrum Woudschoten Hotel, this time for 4 nites. Consistent…read morewith its name, it is certainly in the woods. Grounds and local area feel like the Pacific Northwest with the trees and evergreens but without the mountain views. Nearby town of Utrecht with local canals feel like a mini-Amsterdam...only quieter. It's a modest, simple hotel that doubles as an active conference center. Pluses: * Helpful, friendly staff * Clean * Wi-Fi that works well and requires once and only one log-in during your stay. * Complimentary 24-hour automated café machine (2) with juice and water also. Excellent cafes. * Early check-in permitted once room was ready * Nearby bike and walking paths. * Simple but adequate buffet breakfast included with fresh fruit * Room windows open to fresh, cool air. * Quiet stay. Small Gripes: * Missing from the room are shampoo and only one A/C Outlet. Really * Not near downtown Zeist or Utrecht. Need a car or someone who drives. Tip I: Don't miss the (hidden--no signage) sports bar downstairs. It's open when quieter upstairs bar is closed. Small assortment of bar food too. Friendly service. Tip II: Weekdays every 30 mins trains to Zeist are fast and reliable way to travel to hotel from Schipol/Amsterdam Airport (AMS) airport. Travel is from inside the airport. Take train from Schipol station (airport) to nearby Driebergen-Zeist station. 46 mins. 10.40€. Note ticket machines accept MC/VS only with embedded credit card chip, or coins only. So I had to use the ticket window with cash (or can use non-chip American credit card).

After two visits to Woudschoten I would like to share that this is a very nice place for training…read moreor team purposes. The hosts are very service minded. They are friendly, flexible and punctual. They even have special parking spits for women. I thought for safety, but I learnt it is for open shoes and not having to walk on a path where you might get stones between you toes. It was freezing today, so had my boots on, but liked the special treatment anyway . Good self service coffee bars, fresh fruit available and a diverse lunch buffet with plenty of choices of salad, soup, sandwiched or warm snacks. Dinner is good quality and enough choice as well. Accompanying wine for each course made it complete. They even serve half glasses for who needs to drive home. Even though it is a large place, it provides plenty of different spaces. From more open to more intimate or a living room feeling. The rooms for training purposes are a bit dull, but good enough. And then the surroundings: beautiful nature, ideal for short walks, reflection or simply some fresh air, or a real encounter with deer, like I had today. A meditational experience.

Typical brown pub that makes an art out of delivering value for money... The daily specials are…read moredecent and very affordable, and offer enough in terms of variation to keep it interesting. The beer menu is quite broad and offers something for everyone, but does lack for depth a bit. One last note; the staff is very friendly and capable, and the atmosphere is very good. Looking forward to going there on a Thursday when there's live music at the venue.

Maybe now my favorite place in Amersfoort. Genuinely friendly staff, and they have a very…read morereasonably priced daily special. Overall a much better value than all the other overpriced mediocre restaurants in NL. 4 good meals here so far and I also like the music. Still have to check out the live music on Thursday nights.