Good idea: Tour of Zeeland – Zeeland Flanders
Have you already read about our favorite addresses in the Zeeland Middelburg? Surely so, right? But of course you haven't seen the province of Middelburg yet. Duh. There is more, much more, and we are already taking a piece of it: the best of Zeeland Flanders...
Bringing kids? Be sure to check out this list: Kids to go, the best thing in Zeeland with the kids.
Overlooking Vlissingen and the lighthouse, you can spend a few hours here sipping a glass of wine with a nice drink. When it gets colder outside, you can crawl inside by the fireplace for dinner (Nieuwesluisweg 50, Breskens)
Read more: Shed 10 Breskens
Only just opened (March 2022) and already one of the nicest addresses in the hood. For so many reasons: the love for the guests of Brouwerslokaal in Groede and for gastronomy shines through the wooden frames. It is a beer bar plus, with numerous (original) beers and very good snacks. And a hell of a terrace, too.
It looks like Ibiza on the North Sea: Strandhotel Cadzand-Bad, the hotel shrouded in 50 shades of sand plus no fewer than five different food and drink establishments *is* a destination in itself. We would love nothing more than to join the Pine House breakfast buffet every day (so you don't have to stay at the hotel for that!), and we can't be dragged away from the terrace of ARASHI Foodbar – and we don't have to, because afterwards we just roll right over to ARASHI Restaurant with love, lots of love. Unless we have already made a reservation at the pop-up restaurant Dining Forty Nine in the hotel bar.
It's a long story, the ups and downs surrounding the delightful Strandhotel in Cadzand-Bad, which is why we are devoting a separate article to it: Beach hotel Cadzand Bad
A bit of city tripping in the Netherlands does not necessarily have to happen in the Randstad. Secondly, the bank doesn't have to bail out. Just go to Middelburg, a surprisingly nice city where you can check in at the Bruno hotel for an apple and an egg – sort of speaking of course. There are six small, quirky rooms, all of which are smartly and colorfully decorated. Ten points. There is no reception, no breakfast, no television and there are no spacious bathrooms. You can see the six rooms on the website, so you know exactly what you are booking. What you can't see is that Bruno is in one of the nicest places in the city - you'll have to take our word for it. What you cannot immediately see is that Hotel Bruno is run by the people behind Bar Herberg. That's not an inn (unfortunately), but it is a bar (fortunately) and highly recommended for anyone with an appetite.
Expresszo Middelburg: Can't wake up without a cup of coffee? On to espresso bar and bed & breakfast Expresszo, located together in a monumental corner building near the main market of Middelburg.
Zeeland Ministry of Chocolate & Culinary Affairs: A feast for chocolate connoisseurs. You can join us, pick up a high tea or get a (chocolate) ice cream for the road
Children's cafe Lokaaltje Middelburg: At the end of the cozy Sint Janstraat is the cute Lokaaltje, a children's café with plenty to play, more than enough for shopping and a sunny patio.
House of Flowers Middelburg: The surprise of Middelburg must be the beautiful House of Flowers. In a large mansion opposite the church, a bit hidden for those who don't know the city well, you will find exactly what the title promises: a house full of flowers.
Read more about Store Performer here: the best of and around beautiful Middelburg
Do you have some time for a nice walk through Middelburg? We'll keep it short but we can't choose. So here we go: go to Damplein for the tastiest cake and sweet cookies from The teacher and for Fromagerie Forianne, one of the most beautiful cheese shops we know. Although that could also be due to the nice courtyard. RØST is a good answer to the question of where to have lunch in Middelburg. The business works with local suppliers and has a changing menu with fresh, seasonal dishes. Work by local artists hangs on the wall. If you stay in Sint Janstraat, don't miss number 40. It's been there for years Café Sint John. The former coffee and tea shop - which now also serves beer and wine, as well as famous frozen yogurt, toasted sandwiches and a 'kopstootje' - is a household name in the city. Restaurant Basalt is also down the street, for fresh fish dishes. Looking chic? On to the restaurant De Gesplit Arent or to Restaurant Scherp. Chef Mart and his wife Dhani Scherp will provide a special evening out, we promise. Al is café-restaurant Friendship perhaps the biggest favorite; delicious food in which vegetables from the own roof garden often play a leading role. On Sundays you can also join us for breakfast (do it!). Even more? Kaffee 't Hof is the place for quirky performances, original music, good food and beautiful audiences. Last one: Luuks, for bread and ultra-fresh pastries.
Warm and modern are the two most important words you think of when you describe the Cityhotel Wood in Middelburg. In the hotel restaurant, The GreenroomVegetables play the leading role, but for the enthusiast there is also a piece of meat or fish. As many unprocessed, pure products as possible here and yes, that is very tasty. Raw and fresh, these are the starting points of The Green Room restaurant. Everything homemade and where possible organic. Long story short: very contemporary, very tasty.
They have nice family rooms and they also have nice beds for your Keffer. Dogs are allowed to sleep over and even get their own box spring for that. Conviviality at its best.
The Sluis Mill, Sluis: In the Middle Ages, Sluis had about ten mills, of which only three remained in 1920. This mill is one of them. In the brasserie you can have a delicious lunch or a drink on the terrace in the courtyard (Nieuwstraat 26, Sluis)
The Eetboutique, Sluis: Anyone who has ever eaten at Oud Sluis restaurant will recognize the address: De Eetboetiek is now located in the same location. You can eat there, and how, but don't go outside without visiting the food shop (Beestenmarkt 2, Sluis)
Yes, we are often enthusiastic... But rarely are we as enthusiastic as about Jesse and Eelke who are pursuing their big dream in Sluis from Amsterdam. The 6 Linden That dream is called it, and it is a catering farm near the Zeeland beach.
Read more: The 6 Linden
Oh how we love our own Zeeland. Nothing better than making the 2,5 hour drive on a cold winter day (okay, from Amsterdam that is) to this wonderful part of the Netherlands. Or on a beautiful summer day. Or actually, autumn is also perfect! Or spring? You get the point: we want to be in Zeeland, rain or shine. For a good start, go straight to Groede where Fonteyn is located, one of the nicest and tastiest places in the province.
Read more: Fonteyn, Groede
Zierikzee may not be big, but it looks like an oyster, so many pearls are hidden there. De Zeeland Hemel is also one of them. It started out as a small shop and it still is, but it is now also a restaurant including a lovely sunny garden and you can also stay there. So at home in all markets and that's how we prefer to see them. Let's start at the store: it is full of jars and tins filled with delicious things to take home, or you can put together your own picnic basket to eat elsewhere. Then the restaurant, where the dishes on the menu are slightly different than usual, you feel like royalty in the courtyard (okay, provided the sun shines) and the service smiles at you. Finally, you also have to sleep, which can be done in one of the three rooms, each with its own view. You don't have to walk far, the guesthouse is next to the restaurant and the shop. You can choose from the Harbor Room, Checkers Room and a Garden Room – guess which view you have where. The quiet rooms are cozy and warm, with beamed ceilings and wooden floors. There is one room for two people, the other two can accommodate four people. The Dam room falls into the second category, including its own play attic for the kids. And it is certainly not that we want to tar all of Zeeland with the same brush, but Goes is only 20 minutes away by car and a really nice city for a few hours of holiday fun. And suppose you ask us where you can lie on one ear, we'll say probably Hotel Cotton.
In this colorful, girly but cool tea house on the water you've come to the right place for a tea, or a real chocolate tea (all your bread, fruit and vegetable sticks dipped in chocolate). You can also order a 'Picnic to go', perfect for those who want to rent a boat on the other side. The business has a large terrace on a floating pontoon. HoneyPie
When in Zeeland there is of course also some shopping to be done. You can read the nicest addresses below
Bianca Bonte Kookwinkel, Oostburg If you stay with Iske (Lief Huisje Zeeland), you will immediately receive the very best tips in the area. Like this one: Every cooking enthusiast can indulge themselves at the bulging and always pleasant Bianca Bonte. They even won the title of 'Best Cooking Store in the World' in 2014. A success. Owner Bianca has recently also focused on the bedroom. That means: she sells beautiful things for the bedroom. Bedding and the like (Brouwerijstraat 4, Oostburg).
Antique Key, Groede This is also a pearl overflowing antique shop in the cozy village of Groede. You won't find them online, just drive to Groede with an empty car and return home filled (exact address unknown)
Ferini, Nieuwvliet. Is it a store? Is it a cycle? Is it a theater? Is it a gallery? Is it a village hall? Well, actually Ferini is a little bit of everything (Sint Bavodijk 31, Nieuwvliet).
After shopping and eating we are done and it is time to rest our legs. Fortunately, a tour of Zeeland can end in a Zeeland bed: this is where we prefer to sleep.
One of the most tasteful addresses in Zeeland must be the shop of stylist Annette. In her 'House of Roozes' she collects unique, antique finds that she refurbishes and sells.
Even better is that you can now also stay at Roozes: there is a cozy Gypsy caravan in the garden, of course photogenically styled by Annette
(Schroeweg 2, East Souburg)
7Houses by the Sea is part campsite, part landlord of holiday homes and lodges and is always located by the sea. In Zeeland to be precise, in Looperskapelle, a hamlet on the edge of Scharendijke, close to the beautiful North Sea beach, the Brouwersdam and the Grevelingenmeer. What more could a person want?
We know! An attractive house, a small-scale character, various accommodations that involve love and, especially fun for the little ones, an agricultural family business as a base. That's all check check double check at 7Huizen aan Zee. More than fun for young and old and simply the best of the Zeeland LAND and BEACH.
Zeeland scores high when it comes to beautiful and cozy places in nice and sweet villages. Bed & breakfast De Zilte Melis is one of those. We are a little in love with the village of Meliskerke and the beautiful houses. And the wallpaper in this b&b also makes our hearts jump.
Read more: B&B de Zilte Melis
It is more chic at Boutique Hotel Roosevelt. Rooms have warm colors, the suites are dressed in natural tones and modern design is cleverly mixed with antiques. High ceilings, wooden floors, sturdy beams and a luxurious bathroom with rain shower, everything in perfect order. This also applies to the location: the sheltered area and yet super central (Nieuwe Burg 42).
Want to sleep more in beautiful Middelburg? Read here
We made one a while back nice list of cute houses (usually in the woods) where you can retreat for some Netflix & other things slow living entertainment. If you think this list has satisfied our AirBnB hunger… Yes, if only for a while. Just for a moment. Because our fingers have found their way back to search terms such as 'retro house' or 'cozy house' and voilà, we came across this one and only retro house in Oostkapelle, Zeeland.
Read more: Zeeland Retro House
Even more wonderful holiday addresses on the Dutch coast, read
Nothing beats a good lodge, little beats our own coastline and we LOVE a pink bathroom. Let it all be in perfect order at this Zeeland pearl: George's Lodges Renesse. The Zeeland lodge is named after the Burgundian grandfather of the owners and that immediately indicates what the holiday accommodation with 2 bedrooms is intended for: for drinks, dining, lounging and carefree holidays. The kitchen is more than complete (because: Burgundian) and the outdoor area begs for a beautiful summer.
Yes, to be honest, we also thought that we were dealing with an address in South Africa, but no, although De Heerlijkheid van Noordwelle reminds us a lot of Blackheath Lodge in Cape Town (read more), it is really a delicious and quite unique place to stay in our own beautiful Zeeland. Swimming pool on fleek, a picture of a classic living room, a delicious breakfast and the beach within walking distance. Zeeland you say? But sure. Noordwelle to be precise, an attractive town close to the much more famous Renesse (summer club of a 16-year-old yours truly). There are 5 rooms, each with its own bathroom. Please be careful: children from the age of 5 are welcome, but not smaller ones: there are no safety facilities around the pool. Great rule, so if your offspring is still too small, they can simply be added to your wish list!
