When directed to a basement room (apparently all others booked), we were obviously disappointed but disappointment turned to despair when we opened the room door to a musty/mouldy/damp/clammy atmosphere. Needless to say, we spent only a minimal amount of time in the room that boasted a permanently locked window (probably the reason for the mustiness), a bathroom door that wouldn't close (probably swollen in the damp conditions) and a soft, saggy, worn out uncomfortable mattress that wasn't even improved upon our rotating it. Even our belongings stored in the room for the 3 days we stayed smelt stale. The person responsible for awarding the 3 star rating never stayed in the basement!
Our encounters with the staff were friendly - they were the best part of the hotel.They were helpful and obliging. Our room and common spaces were as clean as they could have been but with the worn fabric of the hotel, it was never going to look sparkling.
We didn't have the time to rent bicycles from the hotel, but they did offer a competitive hire service, making it more convenient option for a day hire than from establishments in the city.
Overall, the whole hotel had a tired, old-fashioned feel about it but with some care to detail (and ventilation in the basement), the Sander Hotel could be quite charming. It is certainly in a lovely, safe neighbourhood.