*The Living Fairy Tale* When you stay at the Efteling Hotel you stay in a real fairytale castle. Feel like a prince or princess with unlimited access to the Efteling Theme Park. This means you can have special early access, free parking and seats at the Raveleijn show where, in ...

*Cool, cool water where I rest my head* The peaceful waterways of the Netherlands have long been a popular holiday destination. There is something about calm, fresh water, trees and far-distant grasslands that relaxes the soul. Trouble is, you always have to leave the water and return back to reality ...

“Rotterdam is anywhere alone” sang The Beautiful South in the 1990s. God knows what they were on about. But one place in Rotterdam that certainly isn’t just anywhere is the Mainport Hotel. The black glass and metal exterior makes a statement from the outset. Your room has some of the ...

This grand building was built in 1886 as a women’s hospital. It was administered by a charity who cared for the poor and vulnerable women in society because there was no welfare state in those days. During the Second World War, the property was occupied and later used to house ...

Guaranteed to confuse any alcoholic, in this hotel you are supposed to sleep in the wine barrels. The hotel is located in the harbor town of Stavoren which is one of the oldest towns in the Netherlands. It used to be a wealthy seaport where legend has it, a proud ...

I have never had a bad time in a yurt. There’s something lovely about the gas lamps, woodburning stove to keep your group warm on the rug-strewn wooden floor. These things aid relaxation in a way that doesn’t require expensive treatments or over-enthusiastic massages. The structure is circular with the ...

In Northern Netherlands people don’t drive so much. They cycle the flatlands breathing fresh air or they take a boat along a network of clean waterways. The area is full of historic attractions and European charm. To make the most of your stay, the Werf Ijlst hotel offers its guests ...

Controversy is a delightful piece of insanity courtesy of a Dutch couple who love converting obsolete public transport into luxury accommodation. Their farm is a museum to reclaimed vehicles; everything from a 1958 Cadillac to a modern day MIG fighter jet. You can catch the MIG humorously placed on top ...

Blue Head, the Spider and Long William are not sexual euphemisms but are actually nicknames for this old harbor crane which holds a special place in many people’s hearts. Apparently, it took a team of ‘history fanatics’ two years to restore it to former glory and open it as a ...

Not just the location for awesome Australian children’s program, Round the Twist lighthouses are also hotels. And they save lives too. Let’s hear it for lighthouses! This tower was active for over 75 years with parts of it dating back over 200 years when a huge flame was used to ...

Unusually for a decommissioned lifeboat hotel (wow, I’ve talked about so many unique hotels that this phrase doesn’t even seem strange) this one is still functioning. You can hire a captain to take you, your partner and your whole hotel out into the open sea. Now that sounds fun! This ...

A veteran hotelier’s wife gives birth to a child on a starry night. And when the proud father looks past the waving arms and feet into that child’s eyes, he was forever changed. Which is roughly what happened to make Dutch duo, Marco and Sam open a hotel aiming to ...

When you arrive at Citizen M, the unusual check-in is the first thing you notice. Rather like online check-in for flights, you just enter your details into a computer terminal and you are then issued with your room key. The ‘M’ stands for ‘Mobile Citizen of the World’ – it ...

I love Amsterdam. With street names like PC Hoofdstraat and the Vondelpark, I can imagine only the Von Trapps and Clogs - happy times. This hotel is one for all you philosophy lovers. So, get your heads out of the clouds you dreamers! Unless, of course, you are staying in ...

F.A.S.T (Free Architecture Surf Terrain) is an alternative surfing community that has a hostel, an all-summer beach party, and a number of ‘survival capsules’. These originally came from an off-shore oil rig and are now available to stay in. There are a few pods you can choose from, each with ...