Sephs Hotel Sittard

This is a new hotel, the rooms are even advertised as 'pre-opening', so I was expecting some issues in advance. The room I had was very good, but to summarize my experience: there is a clear disconnect between what the hotel promises when you make your booking, and what they actually manage to deliver. The issues start during booking already. This hotel (a former monastery) is connected to a youth sporting academy, and they state that 'a small fee included in your room rate' will be towards their support, this is called a 'talentfee'. Except that it actually becomes a surcharge which only shows up at the very last page of the booking - effectively making the room rate higher than advertised during the whole booking process. It's not a large fee, but it feels underhanded. Another issue is that, only after booking the room, you receive an email warning that they are still doing construction, information that is also not available during the booking process. At that point I had already made the non-refundable booking, and couldn't back out anymore. I had specifically booked a 'Star' room, as those have a nice king size bed. Upon arrival, I find out that they gave me the (cheaper by 20€) regular room. The receptionist first claims to not understand the issue, and then states that they "pro-actively put people in the regular rooms", because there have been complaints about the temperature gradient in the (two storey high) Star rooms. From a customer perspective, this whole thing made the checking process very time consuming. If your Star rooms are not suitable for a night stay, don't offer them. If you are 'pro-actively' putting customers in cheaper rooms, inform them at check-in and refund the difference, or give them a choice. But don't just give them a key to cheaper room and hope that they don't complain. Anyway, I insisted on staying in the room which I had booked, and it was a great room, so I fail to see what all of this was about? I had also ordered breakfast, and they promise quite a nice meal for the €15,50 fee. At check-in, I was informed that breakfast was open until 10:30, which I appreciated, being the day after Christmas. But when I showed up at 10:00am, almost everything was gone already. Instead of the promised platter with delicacies, there was just a self-serve buffet. There also was no staff (they were all in the kitchen) and I had to go find them and ask for some butter, and tea. At 10:15, the staff started removing the few remaining breakfast items (without even saying hi to the guests). I asked why they were already clearing the buffet, given that they should be open until 10:30am. The reply was that this 'had been a mis-communication by the receptionist', without offering any solutions or support. I won't contribute any of these issues to actual malice, but I'm not sure whether Hanlon's razor is a much better defense here.

What a wonderful and cozy place, with people who all do their work with so much love! I feel inspired and at home here. The food is delicious, and it’s surrounded by nature. Highly recommended, and I would love to come back again! Thank you so much, and see you next time! Wat een fijne en sfeervolle plek, met mensen die hun werk allemaal met liefde doen! Ik ben geïnspireerd en tot rust gekomen. Het eten is heerlijk en het is omgeven door natuur. Zeker een aanrader en ik kom graag een keer terug! Dank jullie wel en tot een volgende keer!

Staff are great: very friendly and helpful. Beautiful room, great beds. The restaurant is beautifully located and serves good food. My North-African stew was the best. The surroundings are superb. Very relaxing. Wonderfully located at the bottom of a lush hill in an old monastery. We will come back to this place. To do more cycling with the first class e-bikes we rented at the hotel.

The staff is really friendly, the rooms are great and breakfast was very nice. We really enjoyed our stay and we were amazed with the collection of biking jerseys. Defininately recommended. Nicely renovated monastry. Thank you for your hospitality.

Perfect place to stay for race weekends. Nice clean room with a view. Excellent bed and pillows, best sleep ever (except for home). Breakfast was OK, only from 8.30 in the weekends, could be a little bit more early during race weekends Nice safe spot to storage your bike.

Sephs Hotel is a former monastry in the South of the Netherlands that was build in 1750 as a hunting lodge by a family from Maastricht. In the late 19th century, the Franciscan Fathers bought the building and expanded it into a Gymnasium for young men. Called Saint Joseph College. In 2013 watersley Sports & Talentpark started the redevelopment of the area with the restoration of the former monastery as icing on the cake. Part of the features is the Sephs Hotel. There are 45 splendid rooms with at every room a specific handmade artwork. Every room has it's own characteristics and different views. A great accommodation for sporty guests. It is a real sporty environment in the near of the city centre but in the same time in the green surroundings. The 30Ha park has it's own MTB park and a magnificent Pumptrack