Latest hype: dining in a hotel

Nothing is more fun than searching for the trendiest hotel in a foreign city and enjoying a nice cocktail at the bar or having a bite at the hotel restaurant. Guaranteed you'll end up at the most trendy spots. But in my own country, I was less quick to choose a hotel restaurant: somehow I used to think of potato croquettes and applesauce with a cherry in the middle of that well-known chain. That turns out to be one big mistake. Even in the Netherlands, the best restaurants are increasingly establishing themselves in hotels, and this nice list is one to save in your notes.

• The most sought-after spot in Amsterdam at the moment is undoubtedly the Soho House. Certain areas are exclusively for members, but the hotel and restaurant are also accessible to us ordinary mortals. The Italian restaurant Cecconi’s will open in September, so just a little patience.
• If you're visiting Maastricht soon, the Kruisherenhotel is a must-visit. In the nave of the old church, you'll find the Kruisherenrestaurant with a regionally oriented cuisine. A recommendation!
• At the Nhow hotel in Rotterdam, you have a beautiful view of the city's skyline. But you don't have to stay overnight here to enjoy the view: in the BAR|KITCHEN, you can dine wonderfully, and if your date doesn't go well, you have a good excuse to stare breathlessly out the window for the rest of the evening.
• Jon and I are huge fans of hotel Central Park by Ron Blaauw in Voorburg. The namesake restaurant almost compels you to stay overnight, as Jon and I have never managed to leave the premises sober and before midnight.
• The Hague has a new boutique hotel: Hotel Indigo is located right across from Noordeinde Palace, so you can't have a better view. Brasserie Stocks and Bonds is the newest hotspot where you can enjoy a delicious cocktail or a lovely dinner in style.
• Do you have an early flight at Schiphol soon? Tip: stay overnight at the Sheraton at Schiphol, so you can roll straight from your bed to the gate. Plus: you can dine in the evening at restaurant Stripes, which is known for their delicious dishes from the charcoal grill. They more than deliver on that promise. Jon and I started our vacation off right here!