Photos courtesy of Landgoed Duin & Kruidberg
William III purchased the Kruidberg Estate in 1682 as a hunting retreat, which became known as the ’t Princenbosch, or Prince’s forest.
A little over two hundred years later, Jacob Theodore Cremer, bought the property. He was to become president of the Nederlandsche Handel Maatschappij, a Dutch trading company, often thought of as a successor to the Dutch East India Company and a forerunner to ABN AMRO. His desire was to build the largest residence in the Netherlands. His English-born wife, Annie, added the finishing touches including gardens and a lake to give it an English country manor look. Their extended family would enjoy their summers here.
The family sold the estate in 1961 to Nederlandsche Handel Maatschappij, who converted it into a corporate retreat. Modernization and building additions allowed this beautiful property to become a hotel for all to enjoy in 2002.
Pamela’s Perspective
Although the rooms in the new addition are comfortable and with everything you need, if you want something that’s more special and romantic, opt for a room in the original château.
Landgoed Duin & Kruidberg
A 17th-century grand estate
Contact
Duin en Kruidbergerweg 60
2071 LE Santpoort
Tel: ++31 (0)23 512 18 00
Fax: ++31 (0)23 512 18 88
Hotel website
Reserve with Booking.com
Fast facts
75 rooms and suites; 44 of the rooms are in an a wing adjoining to the main building.
Double rooms: 115–235 euros
Suites: from 265 euros
Open: all year
Getting there
Santpoort is just to the north of Haarlem. You can take a train from there to Santpoort-Nord. The castle is a ten-minute walk from the station. Parking at the hotel is free.
What to do
On site: gym; small sauna; game room
Nearby: golf; hiking; cycling; Zuid Kennemerland National Park
Weddings
Yes. Inquire hotel for details
In the woodland preserve of the Duin en Kruidberg national forest and not far from the beaches of the North Sea, this lovely estate is a step back to an era of aristocratic and gracious living. Although only half an hour by car to Amsterdam, its location is best suited for slow explorations of the surrounding area.
For the last fifty years or so, the estate has been a corporate retreat—as you can tell by its beautiful meeting rooms—with a hotel opening in 2002 .
Guest rooms are divided into two areas: the main house and the new wing. Rooms in the latter are decorated with rich fabrics (think Ralph Lauren) and are quite comfortable. They are a distance away from the reception and accessible through a labyrinth-like corridor with steps up and steps down. A sliding door opens up onto a common patio, but there are no views.
In the old house, the guest rooms have much more character, with views of the garden and lake. Each is unique; some are tucked under the eaves, while other might have a four-poster bed.
There is free Wi-Fi in the public areas.
You can dine in either the Brasserie, which serves locally grown food prepared in the open, or the De Vrienden van Jacob restaurant, situated in the closed verandah of the original house. The excellent reputation of its cuisine has made it a popular destination. Advance reservations are required.
Something special
The De Vrienden van Jacob restaurant has been awarded a Michelin star since 2005.