When visiting Groningen, the last thing you should worry about is having a dreary day. Its vast amount of students, which is about 25% of its population, has made the city’s atmosphere fun and buoyant. This lively city is always bursting with energy and has so many spots to visit. Be it the historic monuments, great shopping districts, top-rated restaurants, or the wonderful museums, everything in this city will make your visit worthwhile. That said, what better way to top your amazing visit other than some astounding hotels in Groningen, Netherlands? Book the best room you got and enjoy Groningen to the fullest!
Where to Stay in Groningen
Groningen is a city in the northern Netherlands. Although it’s a very old city, it has a mass concentration of young residents. Because it’s not as big as other cities in the country, people rarely use cars. Instead, you’ll find most locals ride bikes to the point where it’s called the number one cycling city in Europe. Since it’s relatively small, you don’t need to be afraid that you’ll end up somewhere no one knows. However, that doesn’t mean that there are no top things to do in Groningen to be found. Depending on where you choose your accommodation, there’s always something to look forward to.
Most of the popular spots in Groningen are all located in the city center. As you guess, it’s where all the fun nightlife and vibrant activities happen. Locals also call the city center as Binnenstad, and it’s where mainstream shops can be found in Grote Markt and modern arts fill the Groninger Museum. Outside of the center but still within walking distance is Oosterparkwijk. It has a large park in the area called Oosterpark and you can easily find many restaurants around.
You can choose some hotels in the Binnenstad-Noord area too. A lot of students live there and you can find the Simplon Music Venue as well as Le petite theatre there for some entertainment. Speaking of which, Groningen is the home to one of the 12 Of The Most Amazing Cinemas Around The World, the Infoversum Theater. If you’re a football fan wanting to watch a match live, stay in Oosterpoortwijk district as it’s home to Hitachi Capital Mobility Stadion. Know what you want to do and choose the right hotel wisely. Then, have fun counting down to D-day!
Best Western Plus Hotel Groningen Plaza
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Let’s start the list with somewhere outside the packed city center. Best Western Plus Hotel Groningen Plaza is set in Corpus Den Hoorn-Zuid district. With the major attractions located in the downtown area, there’s not much going on around the hotel. However, you can still enjoy the view of the Hoornsemeer lake which is less than 1mi (1.6km) away. The hotel’s surrounding area is a perfect place for you to have some light exercises, as there are multiple walking and cycling trails available.
Thankfully, the hotel offers free shuttle service to the heart of Groningen every weekend. The bus stop is so near you’ll arrive in less than 3 minutes on foot. After a short 15-minutes ride, you’ll alight at the center. Feel free to explore every corner of the city!
Like any other hotels in Groningen, Netherlands, this hotel boasts a flat-screen TV, a working desk, as well as tea and coffee maker in the room. Both the bedroom and the bathroom are spacious and clean. When the sun is out, go to the heated indoor swimming pool and spend one or two hours there. Hungry? Visit Meerworld, the hotel’s restaurant. It serves elegant gourmet cuisine in a beautiful open surrounding.
Apollo Hotel Groningen
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Sited 1.3mi (2.2km) outside of the city center is Apollo Hotel Groningen. It’s set in the Corpus Den Hoorn-Noord district, right below Laanhuizen. The area is mostly dominated by offices and schools. This accommodation is close to MartiniPlaza, Graphic Museum Groningen, and Groninger Museum.
Just like other standard hotels in Groningen, Netherlands, the room offers an air conditioner, free WiFi, a desk, as well as a flat-screen TV. We like the private bathroom as it’s clean and the water heater is working well. In addition to all of those, the hotel makes a safety deposit box available in each room. There are also concierge services in case you need a helping hand on making restaurant reservations or arranging a tour.
Every morning you can expect a continental breakfast served to you. Aside from Dutch and French cuisine, vegetarian and Kosher options are available at the on-site restaurant too. After completing your yummy meal, take a few moments of rest, and have some exercises. You can do it in the fitness center, or you can rent a bike and cycle around the hotel area.
Bastion Hotel Groningen
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Among the hotels in Groningen, Netherlands, we’ve found the perfect one for football fans that don’t prioritize luxurious rooms. Situated in Oosterpoortwijk district, Bastion Hotel Groningen is 0.8mi (1.4km) away from the Euroborg. Also called Hitachi Capital Mobility Stadion, it’s the home of football club FC Groningen with over 22,000 seats. By staying at this 3-star hotel, you’ll never have to miss the kick-off ever again.
Like other accommodations, free Wi-Fi is available in the entire hotel. The hotel room is ample. It features a standard bed, desk, as well as air-conditioning. While the bathroom isn’t the biggest in town, it does have complete toiletries. Need anything else? Don’t be shy to call the 24-hour front office.
Meanwhile, the on-site restaurant offers an extensive choice of food from the à la carte menu. Whenever you need a drink, you can go to the hotel bar and lounge. It features an LCD TV and air conditioning, making it the cozy spot for you to spend your night at. Before we forget, you can play billiards for free too.
City Hotel Groningen
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With its prime location, City Hotel Groningen has easily become one of our favorites. This accommodation is located right in Binnenstad, the heart of the city. It’s only a 5-minute walk from some of the top landmarks, including the Martini Tower and the Groninger Museum. Meanwhile, sightseeing will be much easier as the hotel provides a bike rental service.
As you enter the hotel, you’ll find an iPad station with a free internet connection as well as a cozy lounge area with a fireplace. The room features the usual amenities like an air conditioner, a flat-screen TV, as well as a soft linen bed. You can make your own cup of morning coffee with the coffee machine too. If you want to try some delectable food at the restaurants nearby, just ask the staff for some recommendations at the 24-hour front desk.
After a tiring day of exploring the city, reserve yourself a complimentary sauna as well as the Turkish steam bath. If you’re planning to start your day with some productiveness, hit the fitness center and burn some calories before eating the delicious dishes along the street outside.
Mercure Hotel Groningen Martiniplaza
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Mercure Hotel Groningen is nestled in the Laanhuizen area outside the city center. For easy access to downtown, you can take a bus ride that’s just one song away from the hotel. If you prefer to go by train, Groningen station is less than 1.2mi (2km) away. The hotel is also next to MartiniPlaza. It’s a versatile indoor arena that can be used as an exhibition complex, a theatre, or even a sports arena.
Same as other hotels in Groningen, Netherlands, the hotel offers a well-decorated room that features a flat-screen TV and free WiFi for you to binge your favorite series. In addition to that, some rooms also boast a minibar. The modern bathroom is spotless, complete with bathrobes and towels.
While you’re there, why don’t you take a look at the Groninger Museum? It’s a stunning art museum that exhibits modern arts from local, national, and worldwide artists. Whether you’re an art lover or not, we can guarantee you’ll enjoy your visit, because there are so many different things to see with helpful explanations.
Best Western Hotel Groningen Centre
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Can’t choose between staying in the city center or Oosterpoort? We present to you Best Western Hotel Groningen Centre, the hotel that gives you the best of both worlds. It’s located at the corner of the downtown area, where you’re within walking distance to your favorite bars and restaurants. That said, going to Oosterpoort super easy. You just need to cross the Trompbrug bridge, and voila, you’re suddenly in another district.
Each lovely room in this hotel is tidily carpeted and has free WiFi, a flat-screen TV, a working desk, and a luxury bed. It’s big enough to also features a seating area. If you opt for a bigger room, choose the apartment unit. There are 6 in total, each with a private kitchen. Feeling too lazy to make breakfast? Go to the on-site Grand Café and enjoy some freshly baked bread. Other accessible amenities include a meeting room, private garage, a library, as well as a fitness center. We appreciate the tea and coffee facilities in the lobby, where you can sit and play board games with your friends.
To make your triip more memorable, try a private tour with a local. Through this tour, you’ll be able to explore Groningen from the local’s perspective and make some friends along the way. Don’t worry, it won’t be boring because the friendly guide will tell you many tips and tricks, as well as some of the city’s best-kept secrets.
NH Groningen Hotel
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Wonderful is how we would describe NH Groningen Hotel. At a walking distance from the downtown, this property is located at Oosterparkwijk. By staying here, you won’t ever run out of activities because shopping streets, snug cafés, and well-rated restaurants are all neighboring. There’s a large park for you to jog around too.
As you expect from hotels in Groningen, Netherlands, this hotel offers spacious rooms with free WiFi. The design is simple and clean, with some splash of green. The room boasts bedside tables on both sides, a flat-screen TV right in front of the bed, as well as a large desk. A coffee and tea maker is available too. The toilet is spotless and features a comfortable bathtub. We love our shower there, and the toiletries complete with a hairdryer and a set of body care products.
Even though there are no spa facilities, you still can visit the small gym on the rooftop and lift some weights. If you feel hungry afterward, you can enjoy some regional food and pastries in the hotel’s restaurant. Visiting the bar is a must as well, as it’s a great place to relax while pampering yourself with a glass of wine. You don’t drink? Don’t worry because you can order a refreshing juice instead.
Hotel Miss Blanche
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Hotel Miss Blanche is one of the hotels in Groningen, Netherlands that effortlessly mixes historic and contemporary designs well. The boutique hotel is situated in eight adjoining monumental buildings from the 19th to the 21st century. It boasts 46 private rooms that suit any kind of budget, ranging from standard rooms to executive suites.
Most of the rooms are all equipped with a pantry and a huge working space. There’ll be more than enough space to put your just-bought snacks. A private underground garage is also available for more secure parking. Other amenities in the room include a spacious bed, a small TV, as well as a marble bathroom. The suite features a large living room where you and your precious ones can drink coffee together while planning your next trip.
Speaking of trips, you should pay a visit to Der Aa-Kerk. It’s so near that you won’t even break a sweat. There you can see the historic former parish church up close. Sometimes exhibitions are held there and you can visit the flower market is right next to it every Saturday.
The Student Hotel Groningen
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As we mentioned earlier, there are a lot of students in Groningen. Thus, you should expect some animated hotels in Groningen, Netherlands too. On that note, here comes The Student Hotel Groningen. It’s well set in Binnenstad-Noord, 0.4mi (0.7km) from the city center. Those who stay around the area are mostly students and young couples. The University of Groningen is just a blink away and other sought-after places like the Martini Tower, Groningen Markets, and Prinsentuin Garden are nearby.
The hotel room shows off one of the most interesting designs you can find. The accommodation is spotless and big, complete with some colorful decorations and paintings. Other room amenities you can expect are free WiFi, a flat-screen TV, and a private bathroom. If you happen to need anything else, just contact the 24-hour front desk. Truly made for youths and the young-hearted, the hotel also features table tennis and billiards at the communal space.
Besides all the praiseworthy facilities, one of the highlights of this hotel is it’s very near to the Simplon Music Venue. In case you have a concert to attend there, don’t hesitate and just book a room at this remarkable hotel. With everything it offers, we can proudly include this to our top 3 hotels in Groningen, Netherlands.
NH Groningen Hotel De Ville
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Situated in the street full of universities, guests that stay in the NH Hotel De Ville can discover the beauty of the city center with ease. Some sites like the Groninger Museum and Central Station are just a 15-minute walk away. There’s also Grote Markt, part of the city center where you can have a drink and that’s capable of giving you a taste of Groninger’s bustling vibe.
For the services, this hotel is not lacking anything. There’s a 24-hour front desk always ready to aid you with whatever problems you have. If you only bring a few sets of clothes with you, have them laundered and dry-cleaned in the hotel. Business facilities are present as well in the form of meeting rooms and a business center.
Meanwhile, the hotel room features an extra-long linen bed that’s equally cozy. Other amenities include WiFi, a terrace, an electric kettle, as well as a spotless bathroom with a spacious bathtub. If you’re the type who likes to just roll in the bed in the morning, we recommend having your pleasant breakfast in the bedroom. Prepare yourself to devour the fresh bread, spreads, and orange juice. There are gluten-free products for you to choose too. Staying here, there will never be a dull moment!
Prinsenhof
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Right in the heart of the city, Prinsenhof is easily considered as the top contender for the most deluxe hotels in Groningen, Netherlands. The hotel is a 15th-century building that offers many amenities. Among them are free WiFi, a breakfast buffet in the Grand Café, and the best one – the Prinsenhof Gardens. It’s a renaissance-style courtyard where you can take lots of picturesque photos of the herb garden.
Expect nothing but gorgeous rooms in this hotel. Depending on which room you choose, you can enjoy the views of the garden or Martini Tower from inside, while others have wooden-beamed ceilings. Just like other hotels in Groningen, the room features a seating area, a flat-screen TV, as well as a minibar. Making your experience even better, you can also find complimentary drinks, snacks, and a Nespresso machine in your room too.
Even though you can have a glimpse of the Martini Tower from your room, we still recommend visiting this highest church steeple in the city. Climbing the famous landmark does need extra stamina, but trust us, it’s so rewarding. Not only you’ll burn some calories, but you’ll also see the mesmerizing view from the top.
Recommended Restaurants / Bars in Groningen:
- Gustatio – The restaurant serves deliciously authentic Italian cuisine to the fore. Nothing too much, just a homemade pasta and strong flavors that will leave you wanting for more.
- Cho Fah eathai – Give this place a try when you’re longing for Asian cuisine, or Thai cuisine to be precise. The sweet and sour fish curry along with the pad thai is on the must-try list.
- De Betere Tijden – Have a sublime dining experience here. Tell the waiter what you like and dislike, sit back, and wait until the specially created menu is served to you according to your preference.
Recommended Activities In Groningen:
- De Kaaskop – A popular cheese shop in town. You’ll find a vast range of cheeses and you can taste the samples before buying.
- Art Gallery Erik Zwezerijnen – The art gallery of the renowned Dutch painter Erik Zwezerijnen. The colorful and energetic artworks will take your breath away.
- Shopping Centre Paddepoel – Your vacation won’t be complete without some shopping. Purchase whatever you want in this mall, which has over 80 stores and cafés on a single level.
