The Netherlands, TilburgAugust 7, 2025, by Maartje

Just opened (and we are smitten): the new Efteling Grand Hotel

The Netherlands, Tilburg, August 7, 2025, by Maartje

Just opened (and we are smitten): the new Efteling Grand Hotel

At the risk of getting a huge scolding from, well, everyone who's ever written for Bart's Boekje (we're writing here in the first person), I can't help but sing the praises of my personal love for Efteling (I was born and raised within cycling distance of Efteling, and we used to have a season ticket) once again, in honor of the incredibly beautiful, newly opened (July 2025) Efteling Grand Hotel right in the middle (IN!) of the park. And LOOK how stunning it has become (designed by Heinzel De Vries, beautifully captured by Chantal Arnts). Nostalgia meets mature love for a beautiful place (meets making memories (with our own kids). Anyway: the new Efteling Grand Hotel, can't wait to check in.

Efteling Grand Hotel

Anyway, we've walked past the enormous barrier a few times now during the construction of the new Efteling Grand Hotel, and just as often, we've dreamed fondly of the possibilities if we could actually spend the night there. IN the park, with a view of one of the most fun (that is, with kids) postcodes in Europe, if not the whole world (yes, we're fans). If only they'd make it beautiful, we mused...

And yes! It turned out beautiful! Gorgeous, even. Quite subdued (because it has to be a palette where kids will be running around), quite classic, a strong hint Wes Anderson's classic The Grand Budapest Hotel and certainly also that unmistakable Efteling look & feel. Beautiful. It is a luxury hotel (there is also always Wooded(These are some really nice houses right next to Efteling, which is still a recommendation, but for a truly luxurious experience, you have to go to the Grand Hotel.) It has 140 rooms, two restaurants, a coffee bar, shops, and a swimming pool. The latter is completely decked out in light blue, and we're fans.