I give this hotel a very good because it has good facilities and the room was great. It was easily the biggest "standard"room I have ever seen. I guess you must be able to play football in the Suites. Moreover it only cost 75 Euro at the last minute rate. We had a good dinner, both having (large) dover sole with a bottle of reasonably priced Puilly Fume to go with it.

So now the niggles. Service was pleasant, but patchy. Check in at the reception was slow and our meal took a long time to order. The hotel is large and new, but feels bleak. Eating in the dining room was like sitting in a well furnished aircraft hanger. The breakfast buffet was disappointing: at first sight it looked larger and inviting but the selection was quite limited. For example there were 7 hots dishes available, but five of these involved eggs. Do you really need to have boiled eggs (hard), boiled eggs (soft), fried eggs, omlettes and pancakes.

I travel to Almere regularly for business (lucky me) and wouldnt stay any other place but the Van Der Valk. For business its ideal and has everything you need. It is a relatively new hotel so it does lack a bit of character and charm but to be honest for business purposes I'm not bothered by this. Meals are good and service I have experienced to be pretty good. (Though the ladies at the front desk... SMILE MORE!..it wont hurt you!). Rooms are well equipped and spacious and the shower is excellent! The hotel also has a good gym and heated pool which is great to unwind after a day in the office.
All round good hotel for business.
For pleasure / leisure or access to Amsterdam I wouldn't stay here. Quite far out and is located in Almere which isnt the best of places to position yourself when on holiday!

> location is in middle of nowhere. Car, taxi or bike is necessary...

If you are on business in the Almere area then look no further than Van der Valk's Hotel Almere. Great rooms, all well appointed and spacious all with free wifi, flat screen TV's, tea/coffee, fridge, safe - some with balconies. Bathrooms are also capacious - all featuring huge baths and separate walk in showers. I have stayed a number of times, and would recommend splashing out on one of the feature suites if travelling with your significant other; these feature surround sound, sauna, steam room and spa baths. There is a relaxing indoor pool and gymnasium equipped with enough to keep you fit for a short visit if you really need to burn the calories. Speaking of which the restaurant is a hugely popular venue with the locals - expect great food. The service may be a little unhurried at times due to the size of the operation, but I have yet to have a bad meal. If the main restaurant is too busy for you, then you can have the same menu offered in the Bar area. There is an outside balcony both at the bar and restaurant - when the sun shines it is popular. Bikes are available to rent, I would recommend a cycle around the lake or to Almere Haven if you are stuck for things to do.
Thanks to Robert, Sigrid, Nick, Stefan and all the staff at the Front Desk and Restaurant/Bar.