Best Western City Hotel Leiden
by the TopOfHotel team
Best Western is the budget-friendly 3-star chain pick right in the old town centre.
Best Western is the budget-friendly 3-star chain pick right in the old town centre.
In-Depth Review
Rooms and decor
Best Western City Hotel Leiden delivers standard 3-star rooms — clean and functional, comfortable enough for two, with simple bathrooms and free Wi-Fi that reviewers say works well. The honest caveat is that some rooms feel old and due for a refresh, a point that comes up in guest reviews. Beds are comfortable enough rather than plush, and the overall fit-out is practical over stylish. If you're after boutique character or a recently renovated feel, this isn't the address — but for a no-surprises chain room in the old town, it does the job.
Food and amenities
Breakfast is a paid buffet rather than something baked into the rate, and reviewers describe the options as basic. Beyond that, the amenity list stays lean: free Wi-Fi, a front desk, and the reliability of the Best Western name behind it. There's no spa, no in-house fine dining — this is a place to sleep, shower and head out into the city, not to settle in for the day. That suits the budget brief, but set expectations accordingly.
Location and getting there
The strongest card here is the old town centre location. You can walk to the De Lakenhal museum, the main canal and local restaurants within a few minutes. Leiden Centraal station is a 10-12 minute walk, and from there Schiphol airport is about 15 minutes onward by train. In spring, the Keukenhof tulip fields are a 25-30 minute drive away. For a traveler arriving by rail and exploring on foot, the position is hard to fault.
Things to know before booking
Two honest points. First, the 7.1/10 score is the lowest in this roundup — perfectly acceptable for the price, but not a hotel that wows. Second, some rooms feel dated and need refreshing per reviews, so it's worth asking for a recently updated unit when you book. Third, breakfast is a paid add-on and described as basic, so build that into your budget or eat out. None of these are deal-breakers at this price — they're just the realities of a budget chain stay in a historic building.
Our take
This is the budget call for travelers who want to be inside the old town centre and are happy with predictable chain service over boutique charm. From around $114 a night, with the canals and museums on your doorstep and the station a short walk away, it earns its spot. If you want the highest quality at a similar price, look at Tulip Inn Leiden Centre or City Hotel Rembrandt instead.
Score Breakdown
Assessed by our editorial team from data and real guest reviews
The Honest Verdict — pros & what to know
- Old town centre location — you can walk to the De Lakenhal museum, the main canal and local restaurants in a few minutes.
- Rates start around $114 a night, which is good value for a spot this central in Leiden.
- Runs on Best Western chain standards, so the basic services you'd expect are all in place.
- Free Wi-Fi is included and reviewers say it works well throughout the rooms.
- Leiden Centraal is a 10-12 minute walk, putting Schiphol airport about 15 minutes onward by train.
- At 7.1/10 this is the lowest-scoring hotel in this roundup — fine for the price, but not a standout.
- Some rooms feel old and due for a refresh, according to guest reviews.
- Breakfast is a paid add-on buffet, and reviewers describe the spread as fairly basic rather than generous.
Who It’s For
Match Score by travel style
Amenities
Location & Nearby Spots
Things to do near Leiden
Day tours, attraction tickets and experiences around Leiden — book ahead on Klook with mobile e-tickets.
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Insider Tips
- Confirm whether breakfast is included before you book — it's a paid buffet here, and reviewers call it basic, so a bakery on the canal may be the better morning move.
- Ask for a recently updated room when you book, since reviews note some units feel older than others.
- Use the 10-12 minute walk to Leiden Centraal for a quick 15-minute train hop to Schiphol, or a 25-30 minute drive out to the Keukenhof tulip fields in spring.