This hotel is a gem.

Beautiful rooms, gigantic soft beds, terrific bathrooms, and the food is terrific too.

The staff are friendly and helpful and the setting is great.

I was here with work, more's the pity, but I will coming back with my wife as soon as I possibly can. It would be ideal for a romantic break.

The staff apologised to me for only having a 'standard' room (Room 9) - well, I tell you, my room would have been a 'Luxury' room in any other hotel I have ever stayed in.

One tiny, tiny issue: There is a farmhouse next door, and I was woken up by the cockerel crowing - the blessed thing didn't shut up for about half an hour, but I don't suppose I can blame the hotel for that!

Despite arriving at the hotel just after midnight the staff were extremely helpful and friendly and made a very tired traveller feel most welcome. It was a pleasure to stay in this hotel and I would certainly recommend it to anyone wanting to stay in the Venlo area. The attentions of the staff made the business trip a much more pleasant experience.

I happened upon this hotel/chateau by chance whilst surfing the net for available places to stay between Dusseldorf, Germany and Eindhoven in Holland.

The Chateau De Raay is an old nunnery converted to a fine boutique hotel and is situated on the Holland, German border near the town of Venlo. My am I pleased we found it. Standing in 9 hectares of park and woodland the Chateau boasts 50 rooms each unique in character. The deluxe rooms have king sized beds and huge bathrooms, many with double baths and so the Hotel makes for a fine romnantic destination.

Insider Tip for honeymooners and romantic weekenders - ask for rooms 30 or 31. You will not be disappointed. Unique artwork adorns all the rooms.

The hotel boasts a fine restaurant and an excellent buffet breakfast too. The staff are relaxed and attentive. The bar remains open all night for guests in the mood not to go back to the gigantic beds.

Around the [property is a lake with wildlife. We saw herons, peacocks and geese. There is also a very pleasant woodland walk that takes you past the tombstones of the 16 nuns.

A sensational place to relax and unwind.

We had one night here in between Christmas and New Year. Despite its proximity to a busy road, it was easy to feel that we were away from it all. The snow added to the cosy feel. We were in one of the deluxe rooms in the new wing and the comfortable beds, underfloor heating in the bathroom and spacious room all added to our sense of wellbeing. Food in the restaurant was superb and very reasonable, despite being a limited menu for Christmas week, which the waiter took great care in explaining to us. Wines with each course recommended by the sommelier were also excellent.