Travel & Hotspots

ON RENSKE'S HOTELRADAR

Parc Broekhuizen

Well, I have been somewhere, people, seriously. A hotel so stylish, cool, luxurious, and historic that it should be illegal. Fortunately, it was just not illegal, moehahaha. Otherwise, I would have been doing all sorts of illegal things this weekend!

Okay, sorry, silly. What I mean to say is: the most beautiful new hotel in the Netherlands is called – but that’s my humble opinion – hotel Parc Broekhuizen and… you have to go there. Because it is located in a real castle. Because it is insanely inspiring decorated by interior designer Judith van Mourik. Because it is royally beautiful yet very cool and modern. Because you feel like a Chanel bag when you are there. Or no, a Gucci bag, because of the original, eclectic appearance. Because there are fantastic velvet cocktail chairs in the cocktail bar. And because they make amazing cocktails for you there. But mainly because you can sleep incredibly well, shower with Aesop products, and of course: eat very well.

Because let’s talk about the restaurant, which operates independently under the name Voltaire and is run by Marco Westmaas (a top chef with incredible experience both domestically and internationally). The restaurant offers a modern world cuisine and the cooking is very refined, light, exciting, and above all just incredibly good. We had seven courses and every single dish was a celebration. A selection of what I devoured: an oyster with celery and parsley, langoustine with nashi pear, miso and passion fruit, king crab, turbot, beef with porcini mushrooms, carrot with mandarin and yogurt, and also chocolate with lemon and bergamot. Yes, yes, what a lot, right? And it all went down easily in Bassie's little belly, because they turned out to be deliciously light dishes.

Damn, reading it back, I should have just stayed living there. I could eat and drink so well every day (there was also a great glass of wine with every dish)! But yes, some things just can’t happen in real life. Some things only exist in Goede Tijden, Slechte Tijden. Bitch gotta pay the rent!

Back to the subject. Parc Broekhuizen is located in the castle of your dreams, complete with columns, stately curved stairs at the front, salons, dining rooms, ornaments, wallpaper paintings, fireplaces, Empire locks, and beautiful old statues in the garden. Which of course have real flower crowns on their heads. The castle is also situated on a large, green, romantic estate (Broekhuizen) in Leersum, which is topped off with a picturesque castle pond and a little arched bridge. Some rooms overlook the pond and trust me: these rooms are truly maximally cool. Think: cool modern decor combined with old-fashioned shutters and princess-like window sills, where you can sit while gazing Instagram-worthy over the castle pond. Oh, and in the middle, largest suite, there is a freestanding bath on a marble slab. Just saying.

Well, and then you can also walk romantically. You just have to bring your walking shoes. And don’t forget them, like I did. Because then you have to walk in (‘lowest’) evening shoes WITH SOCKS in them. And that’s just not a sight, check the photo. I’m saying: hopefully you can laugh about it. A little civilized laughter would be nice, otherwise I might cry.

Alright, laughed enough? Good. Then I’ll wrap up this post now. Want to play the (prince and the) princess too? You can book via the Parc Broekhuizen website, or just call or email. The real luxury lovers, in my opinion, should go for the large suite in the middle of the hotel at the back, with a wide view over the pond and the freestanding bath. But truly all the rooms are worth it: we had a fantastic room on the left side of the hotel, also with beautiful views over the pond, a lovely marble bathroom, and a divine bed. Oh, and if you’re a bit tight on cash but still want to get away: at the top of the hotel is a cool budget-ish area with roof beams and cozy round castle windows. Great spot there. I’m saying: something for everyone. What a top tip! No thanks, no thanks.

But wait a minute. What do my ears hear?

*** MOEHAHAHAHAAAA *** MOEHAHAHAHA ****

Aha. So you are still laughing at my shoes.

Too bad. Very unfortunate. I thoroughly tested that hotel and then you go and laugh at me.