Special overnight stays in the Netherlands

Everyone goes on a weekend getaway in their own country from time to time. Do you usually choose a standard hotel? What a shame! There are actually plenty of fun and unique places to stay in the Netherlands. We’ve rounded up some of the most unique places for you to spend the night.

Bungalow Park Het Verscholen Dorp

Enjoy a wonderful vacation at Bungalow Park Het Verscholen Dorp in the Hanseatic city of Harderwijk. Tucked away in the countryside, on the edge of the Veluwe, you’ll find the perfect spot for a relaxing cycling or hiking vacation. Come with your family, partner, or friends to completely unwind amidst the beautiful forests and heathlands. Here, you’ll stay in a detached bungalow or a cozy chalet. Surrounded by nature, you’ll enjoy plenty of space and privacy here. Sounds wonderful, doesn’t it? Our vacation homes accommodate up to 6 people and are fully equipped with all modern conveniences. They feature 2 or 3 bedrooms, a cozy living room with a TV, an open kitchen, and a comfortable bathroom. Outside, you can relax in the spacious garden with a furnished patio. This is the perfect spot to enjoy the peace and quiet around you. Don’t want your four-legged friend to miss out on the vacation? In most of our accommodations, up to two dogs are more than welcome!

With the chickens roosting

In Vlaardingen, you’ll find the De Vreemde Vogel outdoor hotel. Here, for example, you can stay in a “Birdhouse” that sleeps up to 4 people. Or opt for the “Family Ostrich,” a caravan on stilts for two adults and two children. But how about sleeping in a real rocket! The “Spacemees” is suitable for families with three children. Always wanted to sleep in an airplane? You can in the “IJzeren Vogel.” Larger groups can stay in the “Afrikaanse Trekvogel,” which sleeps up to 8 people. Just the two of you looking for a cozy getaway? Then enjoy a romantic stay in the “Papegaai”—a cozy gypsy wagon. You can also enjoy delicious food and drinks there, and the surroundings are very green. You’ll really feel like you’ve escaped it all!

The SS Rotterdam

Have you always wanted to spend the night on a luxury ship? You can do just that in Rotterdam! The former steamship, the SS Rotterdam, has been completely renovated into a luxurious 4-star hotel equipped with every amenity. On board, you’ll find two restaurants, two bars, bike rentals, and an Escape Room. You can also take guided tours. For kids, there’s a special children’s tour, all kinds of fun activities, and even a Playmobil room! You can also book packages like the Blijdorp package. So if you’re looking for a unique place to stay in Rotterdam—and one that’s packed with luxury—this is definitely the place for you!

Sleeping in a Stack of Zaan-Style Houses

In Zaandam, you can enjoy a unique overnight stay in a real eye-catcher! Inntel Hotels Amsterdam Zaandam is unique because it features 70 colorful Zaan-style cottages stacked on top of one another. This 4-star hotel accommodates guests for stays of two or more people. In addition to a great restaurant, there’s also a wellness center, sauna, swimming pool, hammam, and fitness center. From the hotel, you can reach the heart of Amsterdam in just 12 minutes by public transportation. But there’s plenty to do in Zaandam as well, such as biking and hiking in the Jagersplas recreation area.

Sleeping in a yurt

Want to get away from it all? Then the Dutch Wadden Islands are always a wonderful place to go. On Texel, you’ll also find a unique place to stay! At Texel Yurts, you’ll spend the night in a round tent where you can truly unwind. At night, it’s pitch black, so you can see the stars clearly. The restrooms are just a short walk from your tent and are fully equipped. Truly a special place!

Sleeping under the stars

Have you always dreamed of sleeping under the open starry sky, but would rather avoid being eaten alive by mosquitoes and other pesky insects? Then the Star Cubes in Lattrop-Breklenkamp, Overijssel, are highly recommended! You’ll find them at Erfgoed Bossem. The Star Cubes are 9m² in size but have everything you need, even your own shower and toilet! And at night, you literally fall asleep under the stars. You can just stay the night, but for a small extra fee, you can also book breakfast. Because the food at Erfgoed Bossem is incredibly fresh and delicious!

Sleeping in a Lighthouse

It’s truly a dream of mine to one day sleep in a real lighthouse. And it’s actually possible! The Harlingen lighthouse served faithfully for years as a fully operational lighthouse and has now been converted into a unique overnight stay. The interior is more spacious than you’d expect, and it includes a shower and toilet. The lighthouse keeper manages the lighthouse and is happy to bring you a basket with a delicious breakfast in the morning to make your ultimate dream night complete!

Sleeping in a wine barrel

Wine lovers, take note! You can actually sleep in a real wine barrel in the Netherlands! This is possible at Hotel Vrouwe van Stavoren in Friesland. In addition to regular hotel rooms, there are 12 wine barrels on the grounds. You can choose between a 15,000-liter wine barrel or a more luxurious 23,000-liter wine barrel. There’s even a wellness wine barrel with a jacuzzi and an infrared steam bath. The extensive breakfast is also included, so what more could you ask for?

Sleeping Among the Alpacas

This might be the ultimate unique overnight experience—and perhaps a bit too much for some people. In Drenthe, you can literally sleep among the alpacas! I think they’re such funny animals, but since I’m extremely allergic myself, I’ll pass on this one for now. But maybe you’ll love it! You can actually sleep in an alpaca barn at Camping Zonneveld in Drenthe. You can also just camp on the grounds or stay in one of the two luxury vacation cottages.

Photos: Het verscholen Dorp, Opstapmetlisa, and www.canva.com