The Best Hotels Motorways Europe
Countryside The Netherlands
Discover the best hotels and bed and breakfasts in the Dutch Countryside. Explore the beautiful green landscapes of Groningen and Drenthe, admire old sailing boats in Friesland or spot deer in the the Veluwe National Park. Cycle the hills of South Limburg or relax on the beach at the Wadden Islands. Whether you are looking for a simple farm stay or a luxury boutique hotel, here you’ll find the best accommodation to experience the real Netherlands.
Central Netherlands - Overijssel
Hanseatic Towns - IJssel valley - Giethoorn - Heather, Meadows and Forests in Twente - Ootmarsum
Giethoorn
This charming village attracts many visitors and is known as "little Venice" because its traditional farms sit on small islands surrounded by canals, linked by numerous wooden bridges.
The countryside around Giethoorn is part of the Weerribben-Wieden National Park, a swampy landscape of reeds, canals and lakes. You can enjoy biking, hiking, and birdwatching here. Renting a boat to explore this beautiful scenery is also a great option.
1,5 hour by train from Amsterdam to Steenwijk, then 20 minutes by bus to Giethoorn
B&B Tulden Farmhouse - Giethoorn
Beulakerweg 65, 8355 AC Giethoorn
A charming bed and breakfast set in a farm dating back to 1890, nestled peacefully in the countryside near Giethoorn. It offers cozy rooms and a fully equipped apartment, along with a generous breakfast and attentive hosts. Guests can enjoy a garden, a terrace, and the option to rent a whisper boat.
Hotel B&B d'Olde Smidse - Giethoorn
157 Beulakerweg, 8355 AG Giethoorn
This nice hotel overlooks the canal, providing views of boats passing by. It features comfortable rooms with private bathrooms, including a family room. Guests can relax on the terrace or in the garden and there is an on-site restaurant. Boat rentals are available nearby for exploring Giethoorn and the scenic Weerribben National Park, along with bike rentals and a bus stop connecting to the train station and surrounding villages.
Hanseatic Towns Zwolle - Hattem - Kampen - Deventer
In the 13th century, wealthy trading towns along the IJssel River in eastern Netherlands formed a trade alliance known as the Hanseatic League. Today, you can still see the rich history in these cities through their medieval gates, merchant homes, and canals. Notable Hanseatic cities worth visiting include Deventer, Hattem, Kampen, Zutphen, and Zwolle.
Zwolle
Zwolle is one of the larger Hanseatic cities and a great place to start your exploration. The city center features old streets, charming shops, art galleries, and the famous 14th-century Peperbus Tower. You can take a boat cruise through the city's canals, including the well-known star-shaped canal.
Just 6 km south of Zwolle is Hattem, another Hanseatic city with a historic center and merchant houses. Here, you can visit the Anton Pieck Museum, which showcases his drawings and fairy tale books, as well as his work on the Efteling theme park. The Dutch Bakery Museum offers insights into bread baking, and on Saturdays, there are workshops for kids.
Pillows Grand Boutique Hotel Ter Borch - Zwolle
Stationsweg 9, 8011 CZ Zwolle
A luxurious hotel housed in a 19th-century police station, just outside the historic city center. The bright, classically decorated rooms include suites, with additional accommodations in a newer annex. Guests can enjoy the garden, terrace, restaurant, and fitness facilities. The trainstation is only a 3 minutes walk, or if you arrive by car, there is a private parking at a surcharge.
De Pelsertoren - Zwolle
Pletterstraat 8 De Pelsertoren, 8011 VG Zwolle
This bed and breakfast is located along the canal in a medieval defense tower built in 1475, right in the city center. The four luxurious suites maintain the historic charm of the city wall, and the roof terrace offers stunning views of Zwolle.
B&B De Leeuw - Zwolle
Almelosekanaal 177, 8012 BX Zwolle
A spacious houseboat situated quietly, just a 15-minute walk from Zwolle's old center. It comes equipped with all necessary amenities for a comfortable stay, including a well-equipped kitchen and bathroom, along with a terrace and a delightful breakfast.
Kampen
This Hanseatic town is located to the west of Zwolle. It features a historic center filled with old landmarks, including city gates, the Church of St. Nicholas, and a replica of a medieval trading ship. At the Elephant Museum, visitors can learn about the cigar-making process and see the longest cigar in the world.
De Stadsboerderij - Kampen
Groenestraat 148, 8261 VL Kampen
This bed and breakfast is located in two historic buildings, with all the beautiful sights of Kampen just a short walk away. The rooms are spacious and decorated in a nostalgic style, and there are also apartments available that come with a kitchenette and a terrace. Guests can enjoy a sauna, and the owners are very friendly, serving a good breakfast.
Boetiek Hotel Kampen
IJsselkade 20-21, 8261 AB Kampen
Boutique Hotel situated by the IJssel River, housed in a historic building in the heart of Kampen. The hotel features bright, stylishly decorated spacious rooms, each with a private bathroom, offering views of either the IJssel or the city center. Additionally, there are four apartments located in a separate building at the back of the hotel. There is a shared lounge and a cozy breakfast room on the ground floor. When the weather is nice, breakfast can be enjoyed in the garden.
Mooirivier - Dalfsen
Oude Oever 10, 7722 VE Dalfsen
This hotel is beautifully situated along the Vecht River ( mooirivier means beautiful river), nestled between the towns of Dalfsen and Ommen. The area is great for cycling and walking, as well as boating or canoeing on the river. The rooms are modern, ranging from comfortable double accommodations to luxurious suites that overlook the Vecht. Guests can enjoy a bar and restaurant, along with a terrace that provides stunning views of the landscape. Additionally, there is a wellness area featuring various saunas and a fitness room. The historic city of Zwolle is just a short distance away, only 15 kilometers from the hotel.
Deventer
The Hanseatic city of Deventer is one of the oldest cities in the Netherlands and lies along the IJssel river. At the heart of the old town, the Brink, stands the Waag, which is the oldest weighing house in the Netherlands. The imposant St. Lebuinus church has a tower with panoramic views of Deventer and the IJssel River.
Other attractions include the Toy Museum, with the largest toy collection of the country and The Bolwerks Mill, an old sawmill and now a museum. In the beautiful Deventer Cake Shop, also a tearoom, you can try this local delicacy. It is just 1 hour and 10 minutes by train from Amsterdam Central Station.