Tafelrond
Upmarket hotel in a grand medieval building on Leuven's Grote Markt, offering historic charm and a central location.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Pleasant weather for exploring
Tafelrond
Best Time
Pleasant weather for exploring
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Upmarket hotel in a grand medieval building on Leuven's Grote Markt, offering historic charm and a central location.
"Magnificent historic building with a gorgeous and very central location."
📸 Capture the Grote Markt Sunrise
Witness a stunning sunrise over the Grote Markt from your window or nearby.
🍽️ Check Your Restaurant Bill Carefully
Some diners reported errors on their bills. Double-check charges for accuracy.
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Historic Medieval Building
The entire hotel
Experience staying within a grand, historic medieval structure that exudes charm and character.
Grote Markt Location
Directly on the Grote Markt
Step right out onto the vibrant Grote Markt, perfect for enjoying the square at different times of day.
Understated Elegant Quarters
Guest rooms
Relax in rooms that are nicely appointed, offering a comfortable and satisfactory stay.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Book Ahead for Prime Stays
Restaurant Reservations Recommended
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
📸 Capture the Grote Markt Sunrise
Witness a stunning sunrise over the Grote Markt from your window or nearby.
🍽️ Check Your Restaurant Bill Carefully
Some diners reported errors on their bills. Double-check charges for accuracy.
🚶♀️ Explore Leuven's Charm
Tafelrond is a great base for exploring Leuven's student city vibe and beyond.
🛌 Room Maintenance Check
While rooms are satisfactory, some guests noted minor maintenance issues.
Tips
from all over the internet
📸 Capture the Grote Markt Sunrise
Witness a stunning sunrise over the Grote Markt from your window or nearby.
🍽️ Check Your Restaurant Bill Carefully
Some diners reported errors on their bills. Double-check charges for accuracy.
🚶♀️ Explore Leuven's Charm
Tafelrond is a great base for exploring Leuven's student city vibe and beyond.
🛌 Room Maintenance Check
While rooms are satisfactory, some guests noted minor maintenance issues.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Tafelrond boasts a magnificent historic building and an unbeatable central location on the Grote Markt, offering a charming stay. However, guests have reported disappointing experiences with restaurant service, food quality, and occasional maintenance issues in rooms, which detract from its potential.
"Had an excellent stay at this hotel. Gorgeous and very central location -- wonderful to walk directly out to Grote Markt which is lovely to see at different times of day. Breakfast was very nice (did not eat any other meals at the restaurant). Nicely appointed small lobby/bar area. The room itself was satisfactory, nothing particularly special."
Stephen Becker
"This hotel is in a magnificent historic building which gives great charm and could make it top notch place to stay. I used to come here often few years ago when it opened and really enjoyed it.
This time I have been very disappointed.
Rooms despite confortable bed are not well maintained.
The curtains were off their hooks when I checked in and the handle of the door is falling each time I open the door. I have been here for 3 nights already and notified the issue from the beginning and still it is not fixed.
Furthermore the housekeeping is very light basically they just make the bed and change the towels, coffee machine I have to clean myself, and the wine cooler that I used the first night is still hanging in the room….
Really could be better and does not match the standing of such hotel."
Anne-Sophie Motte
"Visited the restaurant for a business dinner. The experience started out bad and the turned into terrible. The 1st symptom that should have worried us was that they ran out of water!!! Yes, no bottled water. The service was very, very slow. The food was made to look very fancy but the taste was extremely poor. But the biggest surprise came at the end, when they tried to cheat us with the bill. We received a bill for more than we had consumed. The difference was almost double!!!! Avoid the place at all costs."
Wlochowianin 2019
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
Tafelrond is located in Leuven. You can easily reach Leuven from Brussels by train, with frequent services taking around 20-30 minutes. From Leuven station, it's a short taxi ride or a pleasant walk to the Grote Markt where Tafelrond is situated.
Parking can be challenging in the city center. There are public parking garages near the Grote Markt, but they come with a fee. Consider public transport or drop-off if possible.
From Leuven train station, you can take a local bus or a taxi directly to the Grote Markt. Alternatively, it's a walkable distance of about 15-20 minutes, allowing you to see more of the city.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
Tafelrond is a hotel, so you do not need tickets to enter the public areas like the lobby or bar. If you are staying as a guest, your room booking serves as your entry.
Standard check-in times are typically in the afternoon (e.g., 3 PM) and check-out is usually by late morning (e.g., 11 AM). It's always best to confirm the exact times with the hotel directly when booking.
As a historic building, accessibility might be limited in certain areas. It's recommended to contact the hotel in advance to inquire about specific accessibility features and any potential challenges.
🎫 🧭 Onsite Experience
Rooms at Tafelrond are described as nicely appointed and satisfactory, with comfortable beds. Some guests have noted minor maintenance issues, so it's worth checking if specific amenities like coffee machines are consistently well-maintained.
Yes, Tafelrond features a nicely appointed small lobby/bar area where guests can relax.
You are welcome to take photos of the public areas and your room during your stay. The historic architecture and central location offer great photo opportunities, especially of the Grote Markt.
🍽️ 🍽️ Food & Dining
The restaurant aims for a posh dining experience, with food presented fancy. However, reviews indicate that taste can be poor, service very slow, and there have been issues with running out of basic items like water.
Breakfast is available and described as very nice by guests. It's advisable to confirm if breakfast is included in your room rate when booking.
While specific options aren't detailed, one review mentioned a lactose-intolerant guest receiving limited dessert options. It's best to inform the restaurant of dietary restrictions well in advance when making a reservation.
Specific opening hours for the restaurant are not widely published. It's recommended to check with the hotel directly or make a reservation to confirm availability.
📸 📸 Photography
The Grote Markt itself is a prime photography location, especially for capturing the city hall and Tafelrond's facade. Sunrises and sunsets over the square are particularly stunning.
Yes, the location is ideal for timelapses. One creator successfully captured a sunrise timelapse between Tafelrond and the Leuven city hall.
Tafelrond is excellent for architectural photography due to its historic building and its prominent position on the Grote Markt. It's also great for capturing city life and street scenes.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
However, families should be aware that the rooms are described as 'understated' and some reviews mention maintenance issues. If you require extensive amenities or perfectly pristine conditions for young children, it might be worth inquiring about specific room features or considering alternatives. Dining at the hotel restaurant might also be a challenge due to slow service and mixed reviews on food quality, so having backup plans for meals could be wise.
💰 Budget Travelers
For travelers looking to experience the historic center of Leuven without the hotel's premium price tag, consider looking for accommodation slightly further from the Grote Markt or exploring guesthouses and B&Bs in the area. You can still enjoy Tafelrond's stunning exterior and the vibrant atmosphere of the square during the day and evening.
Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
The Historic Charm of Tafelrond
While the building's grandeur is undeniable, the interior experience can be a mixed bag. Guests appreciate the 'nicely appointed' rooms and the charm of the historic setting. However, some reviews point to a need for better maintenance, with minor issues like curtains off hooks or door handles falling off. This suggests that while the potential for a top-notch stay is immense, consistency in upkeep is key.
For travelers seeking an authentic historical experience combined with a central location, Tafelrond is a compelling choice. Just be aware that the 'posh' aspect might be more in the building's facade than consistently in the room upkeep or dining experience.
Dining Experiences at Tafelrond
However, the culinary experience has drawn significant criticism. Multiple reviews highlight issues with taste being 'extremely poor' and food not being well-cooked. Service is frequently described as 'very, very slow,' and there have been instances of running out of basic necessities like bottled water.
Furthermore, billing discrepancies have been a recurring problem, with guests reporting being overcharged. For those considering dining at Tafelrond, it's advisable to make reservations, be patient with service, and meticulously check your bill. Some guests have found the breakfast to be a more reliable and enjoyable meal.
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit