European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - May 14, 1992, Darmstadt, Hesse                                There a More to Leiden than its Holiday inn by Rosemary Sawyer Brussels Bureau when in Leiden Don t miss Leiden. While it sounds hard to do Many americans who stay in the dutch town do just that. On any Given weekend one is Likely to see More cars with . Plates parked in the lot of the City s Holiday inn than at some base chapels on sunday. Americans flock to the 200-room Complex for its reduced rates for military id card holders its activities for children and its proximity to the Beach Maduro am Amsterdam and Rotterdam. Hardly anyone comes to the hotel with the big Green sign to see Leiden. Holiday inn spokeswoman Jeannette spits reports that about 6,000 american families stayed at the hotel last year. Many she said spend most of their stay at the hotel. Those among them who have made the Effort to experience the sights and sounds of Leiden say they re glad they did. Quot it s really wonderful to get out and walk around Quot says Jean Brown of the City she describes As a clean miniature Amsterdam. Brown and her husband Graig and their two Small sons made the Holiday inn their base of operations for a recent weekend excursion. Quot i love Amsterdam but Leiden s really Nice and i think a lot of people miss that Quot she says. Quot it really gives people who Don t get a Chance to get up to Amsterdam a feel for this part of  in Leiden Well worn bicycles Jumble the sidewalks along narrow Brick streets. Swans and ducks adorn the canals like Flowers on a wedding cake. Lush Parks Swallow nearby traffic sounds. University students soak in the Sun s rays from cafe tables lining the streets and overlooking the canals. Elderly residents Grace bicycles As easily As lace curtains the City s windows. Leiden University founded in 1575, is Holland s oldest and its Library is one of the country s largest. Add to that the Many Fine museums scattered around the City and it is easy to see Why Leiden is considered one of Holland s cultural centers. The University also boasts one of Europe s oldest botanical gardens. The Entrance is located on the Papenburg canal a Lovely waterway dividing rows of Beautiful patrician mansions. Not far from the Papenburg is St. Peter s Church which americans should find especially interesting because it is the burial site for several pilgrims who fled England because of religious persecution in 1609. Many of the pilgrims resided in Leiden for More than 10 years before travelling to America aboard the Mayflower and her successor ships. Every year the Church hosts americans for a special thanksgiving Day service. During the summer visitors can take afternoon or evening cruises on the City s canals. Rowboats also can be rented at the Rembrandt Bridge for about 5 guilders about $2.80 an hour. Holiday inn guests army sgt. Murray and Mickie Romine of Aschaffenbur Germany say they drove around Leiden to see its two windmills but did t know if they d have a Chance to return. Quot the kids just want to stay Here to be honest with you Quot said the he co 4th brigade Soldier. Fortunately the family took in the sights at Amsterdam and Keuken Hof before 7-year-old Molly and 11 year old Matt began wanting to Homestead at the hotel. It s easy to see Why youngsters and parents alike enjoy the facility which features a 2,000-Square-meter indoor recreation Center called the Horidome. The Horidome offers a children s playground billiards miniature Golf table Tennis a giant chess Board Tennis and Squash courts 10 Bowling lanes an indoor Pool Whirlpool Sauna solarium and Beauty Salon. All rooms contain a mini bar video movies and Cable to along with the usual amenities. A Nanny helps entertain children in the Horidome during the weekend Buffet dinner hours from 4 to 8 . Guests can also arrange to hire a baby Sitter through the hotel for 10 guilders an hour about $5.50. Quot it just really seems to be set up for kids Quot says air Force maj. Graig Brown. The military rate during april May and june for weekends which include Friday saturday and sunday nights is 195 guilders per room about $108 the Holiday inn s Interior courtyard holds a restaurant and playground beneath skylights. Two rowers and their passengers Glide through a cant in the heart of  6 stripes Magazine May 14, 1992