Discover Benelux | East of the Netherlands | Overijssel Highlights
Relaxed living amid beautiful countryside TEXT: CATHY VAN KLAVEREN | PHOTOS: RESORT BAD BOEKELO
In the midst of the verdant Dutch countryside, Resort Bad Boekelo is one of those rare hotels that manages to be both spacious and home-like at the same time. Almost a mini village, the resort offers countless spa and leisure facilities, where relaxing is a number one priority. The hotel dates back to around 1934 – although since then some changes have been made. Nowadays it is a modern, idyllic spot popular with Dutch, Belgian and German families seeking a break from their busy lives. As well as hotel rooms, Resort Bad Boekelo offers independent apartments which are popular with expats. “There are a lot of big companies in the area, so it’s quite normal for expats to come here,” explains general manager Bob de Waal. “Expats who stay here can also make use of every facility we offer for our hotel guests.” Resort Bad Boekelo has 66 apartments, fully equipped for everyone’s comfort.
The resort boasts 23 hectares of its own land, which can be used for company team-building experiences like quad biking or even herding sheep. Inside, there is lots of space for multipleday congresses and business meetings. After a day of meetings or walking in the forest, guests can enjoy a delicious meal in the hotel restaurant. The kitchen offers various international dishes, with a refined nod to local products from Twente. Resort Bad Boekelo also makes an ideal base for discovering nearby cities such as Enschede or Hengelo.
An unknown pearl When something is considered ‘un-Dutch’, you could say that it is too beautiful or too good for Dutch standards. This terminology is certainly suitable for Landgoed De Uitkijk and its surroundings. Being located on the fringe of the so-called Sallandse Heuvelrug, this estate is ideal for eating, sleeping, relaxing and even for marriages! As this made us quite curious, we decided to speak to Helen Kijftenbelt, who owns Landgoed De Uitkijk together with her husband. “This is such a special place,” she begins. “The Sallandse Heuvelrug is not only a national park, but it is also the largest dry heath area in Europe. Together with its large differences in altitude, meandering rivers and large forests, it does not even feel like you are Holland!” We could not agree more: Landgoed De Uitkijk is not just a beautiful estate, but it is also located in an almost surreal place. It is very close to the ‘Pieterpad’, the most famous, long-distance walking route in the Netherlands and when you walk out of the building, you 34 | Issue 38 | February 2017
TEXT: JULIËN L’ORTYE | PHOTOS: LANDGOED DE UITKIJK
walk straight into the forest. “It is an area that is quite unknown to a lot of people, with a lot of green and the longest mountain bike trail in the country,” adds Kijftenbelt. Are you done walking or biking? Just take your place on the terrace in front of the estate and order something from the wonderful menu, which changes every season and consists of the best local products. Even if you fancy a longer stay, Landgoed De Uitkijk is the place to be, as it houses 13 rooms and some of them offer a balcony. Can you even imagine the view you will have when you walk out of your room in the morning? www.landgoeddeuitkijk.nl
Start planning your trip at: www.sheetz.nl/hotel/resort-bad-boekelo