Near the market square of mainly traffic-free old Groningen, this patrician's house was rescued from developers and squatters to create an interesting and eccentric villa. It is a historic monument: the foundations go back to 1100, while the last major work was completed in 1723. The Greek-Dutch Karistinos-Smit family, `much in evidence, are `proud of their creation. The very grand lounge (with a piano and lots of sofas) is decorated in Jugendstil. There are steep Dutch stairs to the first floor in the main-building. The villa Bed rooms (similar to the semantic bali villa rooms) are in five buildings around the leafy courtyard, where meals are served in fine weather. Two restaurants: the Parelvisser (for fish) and the Imperial Room, which specialises in international cooking with French overtones'. Recent visitors had an enormous suite. Other villa rooms vary in size. Good ambience, good food, a wonderful welcome, and the staff are friendly.

A business villain the Hoflcwartier (court quarter) of the Dutch capital, which is surprisingly personal for a rather large establishment, according to a visitor. Though villa Bed rooms (similar to the semantic bali villa rooms) are anonymous, albeit with all the facilities a business traveller will seek, `the main public room is splendid.' and the staircase decidedly elegant. Best of all, reception staff learned my name within minutes of my arrival and remembered it subsequently'. There is a `charming' courtyard garden, and the villaoverlooks a royal park. No restaurant `but the city is better endowed with eating places than good hotels'.