Grand Hotel Karel V

In the historic town centre of Utrecht the new, prestigious Grand Hotel Karel V has opened its doors from September 1999. The realisation is the result of a striking renovation of the former headquarters of the German Knights Order. This block of buildings, locally known as the German house, dates from the fourteenth century.

It is the hospitable tradition of the German Knights Order which, in a modern equivalent, is pursued in Grand Hotel Karel V. The order was founded in 1198 with the purpose of defending the faith and of nursing the sick and wounded.

Grand Restaurant Karel V is a place in the grand manner yet familiar. The ideal location in the heart of Utrecht for a business or private occassion.

Brasserie Goeie Louisa is situated in the Brasserie room and the Brasserie kitchen, which is one of the oldest kitchens of the Netherlands. From 1345 AD the priests of the German Knights Order have cooked their meals for the many guests who stayed in the German House.

In the cellars, situated in the medieval arched roofs, you will find the Hotelbar, as well as a bar for closing your meeting or conference, the apéritif for your dinner in Grand Restaurant Karel V or the beginning of a nice evening in Utrecht.
Grand Hotel Karel V has the availability of twelve conference rooms (total 900 sq.m). All halls have been restored to their ancient splendor and can be used for business as well as festive occasions. For example the Graaf van Leicester hall includes an auditory, equipped with the latest in audiovisual facilities.

Besides the listed facilities, all 91 rooms come with a direct phone line, free ADSL connection, and controllable air conditioning. All rooms have a lovely parquet floor.
As a hotel guest, you can make use of the hotel fitness, solarium and sauna. A number of rooms is reserved for non-smokers.

Napoleontic Wing
The building complex of Grand Hotel Karel V includes the 90 metres long infirmary building of the former National Military Hospital.Construction started in 1823 by orders of King William I. In a historically responsible manner, the hospital wards were transformed into 39 hotel rooms and 5 suites equipped will all modern comfort. All rooms have a view of our beautifully arranged gardens. Thanks to the romantic ambience, the rooms of the Napoleontic wing are quite suitable for celebrating your wedding night or for a weekend’s stay in Utrecht. Due to the building’s monumental character all of the rooms of this wing are different. On the fourth floor, the rooms come with the authentic beams in the ceilings. The bathrooms possess a bath, a shower, wash basin, shaving mirror, hair dryer, luxurious bathrobes and slippers. The beds are made up with comforters.

Garden Wing
The rooms in the Garden Wing come with a businesslike interior. Most of these rooms also have access to the balcony gallery. At your request we can also reserve a room with two separate beds.

The extremely spacious Executive Suites consist of a separate bedroom, sitting room and work area with a small meeting table. These rooms are extremely suitable to serve as an office or as a small meeting room.

In Grand Restaurant Karel V - awarded a Michelin star - a warm welcome will be extended by our Maître d'Hôtel, Johan Kragtwijk, and Executive Chef Jeroen Robberegt. He and his team aspire to serve you in this stylish room in a classic but informal manner. They will be happy to offer you advice on how to discover the most congenial combination of wine and food. Apart from the Grand Restaurant Karel V, the hotel comprises a cellar bar and Brasserie Goeie Louisa, with a terrace.

Utrecht, a versatile city

The city of Utrecht verges on the Utrecht Hills, de Utrechtse Heuvelrug, where beautiful estates, country manors and castles can be found.

The well preserved medieval inner city of Utrecht, with its numerous courts of almshouses, intimate squares and populated canals, offers the visitor a varied palette of culture, leisure and nature. The city has a wealth of historical monuments. Quite outstanding is the more than six century old Dom tower. It is the highest church steeple of the Netherlands and, during certain hours, open to guided tours.

The multiple churches and monasteries, built in greatly different styles, remind the visitor of the strongly religious character of the city. Moreover, Utrecht is a city of museums, including the internationally renowned Netherlands Railway Museum, the national museum "Het Catha­rijne­convent", the Central Museum and the National Museum of Music Boxes and Barrel Organs.

The Utrecht visitors' centre for cultural history quickly helps the interested visitor on its way. Shops are located on the busy Oude Gracht--with its cosy outdoor cafés on the wharves and the typical basements--, on Oud Kerkhof, Steenweg and Hoog Catharijne. They are known for their excellent taste offering a wide range of products. Musical Centre Vredenburg and the Municipal Theatre provide high quality cultural entertainment and art. Another remarkable facet of Utrecht are the architecturally interesting buildings on Nieuwe Gracht.

Cosy canals, wharves and quays.

To many, the most important and cosiest attraction of Utrecht are the restaurants, studios and (outdoor) cafés along the canals. These can be found on the quays and wharves which were formerly utilised for making easy deliveries to the basements under the buildings along the canals. Today, these quays provide a daily gathering place to many visitors.

A summer canal boat tour of the canals will provide an unforgettable impression of this remarkable city.

Via the A2 motorway to Utrecht

Take exit 8, marked ‘Centrum’
At the top of the exit, at the traffic lights, continue to ‘Centrum’
Go straight at the roundabout, continue to ‘Centrum’
You will pass the Jaarbeurs
Go under the railway overpass and take a right turn towards ‘Centrum’
The road passes under the shopping arcades of Hoog Catharijne. Take the first possible road on the left. After crossing the bridge, take a left into Geertebolwerk in (dead end street)
Grand Hotel Karel V is located at the end of Geertebolwerk on the right


Via the A28 motorway to Utrecht

Take exit marked ‘Centrum’ (A28)
At the end of the exit ramp, at the traffic lights, take a left turn
Take the first exit ‘Stadion’
Turn right at the end of the exit ramp at the traffic lights
Continue to next T junction and turn left, ‘Centrum West’
Follow the direction of the sign for ‘Doorgaand Verkeer’
Take a right turn at the traffic lights ‘Centrum West/Maarssen’, which takes you onto the Catharijnesingel
Turn right at the first traffic lights
After crossing the bridge, take a left into Geertebolwerk (dead end street)
Grand Hotel Karel V is located at the end of Geertebolwerk on the right

Via the A12 motorway to Utrecht

Follow directions to ‘Jaarbeurs Zuid’
Take exit 17 'Kanaleneiland'
At the end of the exit ramp, at the traffic lights, turn to ‘Kanaleneiland’
Follow 'Jaarbeurs'
Turn right, at the first roundabout, towards ‘Hoograven/Lunetten’
Just before the second bridge (yellow /blue railing) take a left turn onto the Jutfaseweg
Stay on this road and take a left at the second traffic lights.
Turn right under the railroad overpass towards ‘Centrum’
Take a left turn at the first traffic lights, which takes you onto the Catharijnesingel
Turn right at the first traffic lights
After crossing the bridge, take a left into Geertebolwerk (dead end street)
Grand Hotel Karel V is located at the end of Geertebolwerk on the right


From Central Railway Station Utrecht

In the main hall of the train station, please exit to shopping arcade ‘Hoog Catharijne’.
Turn right, next to the automatic cash dispensers of ABN Amro Bank, through exit Godebaldkwartier.
Turn left at the bottom of the escalators. Cross the road (two traffic lights) and turn right (cross yet another road).
Keep going straight. After ± 150 metres, the Grand Hotel Karel V will be on your left