First Look: Efteling Grand Hotel Review & Everything You Need to Know
“And so it happened! Everyone in the castle fell asleep... ”
Have you ever dreamed of staying right inside a fairytale? When Efteling first announced plans for its Grand Hotel, it felt like the start of a new chapter for the park. For decades, this magical destination had hotels and holiday villages nearby, but never anything quite like this, right at the heart of the park itself.
The idea was to create something special: a flagship hotel that would match the magic of Efteling’s rides and stories, while offering the comfort and style of a modern luxury stay. After years of construction updates and teaser images, the opening date was finally revealed earlier this year — August 1st, 2025.
The moment that email landed in my inbox, I booked a room. And I got to experience it on the very first night the Efteling Grand Hotel opened its doors to visitors. If you’re curious about what it’s really like inside—how the rooms feel, what the service is like, and whether it lives up to its name — I’m sharing my first impressions to help you decide if a stay at the new Efteling Grand Hotel is worth it.
Here we go! Let’s determine if staying here is worth it while we cover all aspects, from the rooms to the location and the restaurants:
The Location
Getting to the Efteling Grand Hotel is easier than you might think, but here’s a little insider tip from my own experience: don’t just drive straight to the main park entrance like I did at first. There aren’t any road signs yet to guide you directly to the hotel, so just trust Google Maps. It leads you past the Wonder Hotel and around behind it, bringing you right up to the Grand Hotel’s front doors, where valet parking is ready to take care of your car.
One of the best parts? The hotel is literally right next to the park entrance: you just step outside, walk through one gate, and you’re inside the park. No long walks, no shuttles, just instant access to the magic. From some of the rooms and the restaurants, you get a front-row seat to the Aquanura water show, happening right next to the Fata Morgana ride.
A quick note about check-in: the hotel uses an app for almost everything during your stay, so make sure to download it before you arrive. You’ll check in through the app, and while the reception staff will walk you through your booking details in person, your room key will actually be on your phone.
This app key gives you access to your room, all hotel floors, and even the park entrance. It’s super convenient and way more sustainable than plastic keys, but it means you really need to have your phone with you and charged at all times.
I’ll be honest: 99% of the time, it works perfectly. But there was one moment in the elevator when my phone wouldn’t scan the key, and I got stuck waiting for other guests to get on so I could exit the spa area. It’s a minor hiccup, but something I foresee that can cause some challenges in the future.
For more details on getting around and what to expect at the park, see my full Efteling travel guide.
The Rooms
We stayed in Tower Room 241, and I have to admit — I was thrilled before I even arrived. About a week before our stay, I got a call saying we’d been upgraded, which meant a much larger room and, best of all, a view. I had initially booked one of the smaller rooms since it was just the two of us, but this upgrade gave us space for up to five people: a queen bed for two, two bunk beds, and a foldout bed. The room rate for two was €620, which included everything: from breakfast to park entrance.
This particular room was also wheelchair accessible, so the bathroom was designed with extra space and features to accommodate that. It came stocked with thoughtful touches like robes, slippers, and a Nespresso machine, plus complimentary still and sparkling water. Room service is ordered directly through the app (just like almost everything else here, including calling reception), so again, having your phone charged is essential throughout your stay.
The bed itself was very comfortable, and the blackout curtains, automatic at the push of a button, made it easy to darken the room. There are two sockets beside the bed, which is handy, but worth noting: they’re standard European plugs only, with no USB or USB-C options like you sometimes see in newer hotels. If you need to charge anything other than a device with a European plug, you’ll want to bring your own adapter.
From this tower room, we had a front-row view of the Aquanura fountain show, which was an incredible way to end the evening. The windows don’t open fully (they tilt instead), but they’re soundproof, so once they’re closed, you hardly hear a thing from outside.
If I had to mention one downside, it would be the bathroom storage, or lack of it. There wasn’t a cabinet or shelf to put toiletries, and the sink itself was small and automatic. A couple of times, my toiletry bag slipped into the sink, which turned on and soaked everything. It’s not a dealbreaker, and it might just be because this was an accessible room, but a small shelf or cabinet would make a big difference.
The Restaurant: Mystique
Inside the Grand Hotel, Restaurant Mystique sets itself apart as Efteling’s high-end dining option, and the prices reflect that. We opted for the three-course dinner with wine pairing: €65 per person for the meal and €40 for the wine pairing, which included three glasses matched to each course. We also started with a glass of champagne, bringing the total for two to around €260.
The experience begins with a playful twist: when you sit down, you’re given a set of colorful stones and asked to place them on a board to choose your appetizers for the table. After that, the staff comes by to walk you through your selections and confirm everything. It’s definitely unique, and maybe fun for kids, but if I’m honest, it felt a little overcomplicated just for the sake of being different.
After the appetizers, there’s another first course followed by a main course, where you choose between meat, fish, or vegetarian. The meat option was steak, while the fish was a type of white fish. Dessert works similarly to the starters: you choose from five different options using the stones again.
The food itself is nice, and the restaurant has a warm atmosphere, especially when the Aquanura fountain show is happening just outside. You can step onto the balcony with a glass of wine and watch the lights and water dance across the lake, which really adds to the experience.
That said, it’s worth keeping expectations realistic: this is high-end for a theme park, and the pricing feels steep for what you actually get on the plate. It makes sense given the location and the unique setting, but it’s something to keep in mind. Overall, though, it’s a fun splurge and a memorable way to end a day of exploring the park.
The Restaurant: Brasserie 7 & Breakfast
While I didn’t have lunch or dinner at Brasserie 7, this is where breakfast is served for hotel guests, and it’s a lovely way to start the day. The brasserie is located on the ground floor, and the moment you walk in, the space feels warm and inviting, with big windows and a relaxed atmosphere as guests get ready for a day in the park.
Breakfast is a mix of buffet and made-to-order options. The buffet covers all the classics: scrambled eggs, fresh fruit, cereals, pastries, and cold cuts. On top of that, there’s a small menu where you can order dishes like eggs Benedict, waffles, or French toast, all included in the breakfast price. Drinks are plentiful too, with juices, coffee, and even a glass of bubbles if you want a festive start to your morning
The Pool & Spa Facilities
The pool and spa area is located on the hotel’s -1 level. I have to say, the pool is a bit smaller than I expected, so it can feel a little busy, especially during peak times when there are lots of families with children. But if you head there in the morning or later in the evening around dinner time, it tends to calm down nicely, making it a perfect spot to unwind after a full day exploring the park.
The water is warm and inviting, making relaxing in the pool all the more enjoyable. There’s also a jacuzzi area to soak your muscles after being on your feet all day, and two small pools designed specifically for little kids. Beyond the pools, the spa offers a sauna, steam room, and even an ice shower.
If you’re looking for a moment of calm and some well-earned rest during your stay, I definitely recommend setting aside some time here.
The Gift Shop: Sens Hotel Boutique
Just off the lobby, the Sens Hotel Boutique is the hotel’s gift shop, open exclusively to guests. It’s a curated space rather than a typical souvenir shop, with items that feel more boutique than theme park: think shower and bath amenities, cosy pyjamas, glassware, homewear, children’s costumes, and even jewelry.
Most of what’s sold here is created in collaboration with existing designers, which gives the collection a unique feel compared to the usual park merchandise. The glassware, for example, is the same design you’ll find in Restaurant Mystique.
One thing I did notice, though, is that many of the collaborations are with Amsterdam designers (several items even mention “made in Amsterdam” on the label). Personally, I would have loved to see pieces from more local creators or even high-end jewelry inspired by Efteling’s own fairytales, which could make it feel even more special. That said, the pyjamas from the Snurk collaboration are definitely a standout.
The Gift Shop: Arcadeau
Separate from the boutique, the hotel also houses Arcadeau, a brand-new gift shop that’s open to all park guests, not just those staying overnight. This shop feels much more like the classic Efteling souvenir store, packed with fun keepsakes and themed gifts. Here you’ll find everything from the Efteling vinyl records to the park’s own version of Monopoly, along with toys, books, and other souvenirs that are perfect for remembering your trip.
The Extra Benefits
One of the big perks of staying at the Grand Hotel is that your experience doesn’t end at the room or restaurants — there are extra benefits that make a park visit even smoother:
Early Park Access: Hotel guests can enter the park 30 minutes earlier than regular visitors, which is perfect for getting on popular rides before the lines build up.
Private Entrance: The hotel has its own gate into the park, which opens with your room key, so you can skip the main crowds entirely.
Park Tickets Included (Both Days): Your stay includes entrance to Efteling on both your arrival and departure days, so you get the most out of your visit without buying extra tickets.
Valet Parking: Pull up right to the front doors, hand over your keys, and let the valet handle the rest.
The Verdict: Is the Efteling Grand Hotel Worth It?
From the moment I arrived, the warm welcome from the staff set the tone for a truly enjoyable stay. I’m not sure if it was because it was opening day, but everything felt incredibly well organized. The valet already had my information, knew I was coming, and took my bags straight to my room. When it was time to check in (at 3:00 PM), I could walk directly into my room since the key was activated on my phone right on time, and my bags were already waiting there.
The hotel itself is beautiful, and as someone who can easily get overstimulated, having a peaceful place to retreat, even if just for an hour, or to head to the spa to relax, made a big difference during my visit. The calming atmosphere was especially welcome on days when the weather didn’t cooperate; I was grateful to escape quickly when the rain started and wait it out comfortably before heading back to the park.
When it comes to Restaurant Mystique, I really enjoyed having a glass of wine on the balcony while watching the Aquanura show. From what I understand, you don’t need dinner reservations to do that, which makes it a lovely spot to soak in the atmosphere. The food was good and enjoyable, but for me, it was more of a fun experience to try once. While I’d absolutely stay at the hotel again, I’m not sure I’d return to Mystique for dinner, maybe just for a drink and to watch the show, if that’s possible.
Of course, this hotel is a splurge, but with park entrance included for both arrival and departure days, the price feels more manageable and justified.
All in all, if you’re considering booking, I’d say go for it. The ease of stepping back and forth between the hotel and the park, especially if you’re traveling with kids or tend to get overwhelmed, makes this hotel well worth the splurge for a magical and peaceful stay.
One small tip if you’re using valet: consider checking out a bit earlier than the official 11:00 AM or leaving your bags at the hotel while you enjoy the park. We experienced about a half-hour wait to get something out of the car when checking out right at 11:00, which likely happens because many guests leave at the same time. It's not a big deal at all, but it's just something to keep in mind.
I hope this was helpful. If you have any more questions, you can always reach out here or on Instagram, and I’m more than happy to answer any of your questions. Happy Travels!
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