The NetherlandsMay 7, 2025, by Romy Schouten

All together in nature: our favorite Dutch sleeping places in the middle of the greenery

By the sea, Outdoor, Nature, Accommodation, Beach

The Netherlands, May 7, 2025, by Romy Schouten

All together in nature: our favorite Dutch sleeping places in the middle of the greenery

A weekend away in the Netherlands once a year is a must for us. Why? Well, because the Netherlands is simply really beautiful. You are outside (something we sometimes forget) and therefore automatically a lot more active. Being outside is good for your body, your head, for basically everything and everyone. And such a trip is the moment to really connect again: with each other and, yes, with nature.

We see only one small obstacle: where to go? The offer is huge and very quickly filled. That's why we are fans of Dutchen: a wonderfully wide range, clearly arranged on one website that scrolls nicely, with parks spread across the country. Note: here too, things go fast.

By the way, no massive parks with hysterical animation team or roller coasters in your backyard, but stylish, small-scale holiday parks with luxury cottages (read: saunas and whirlpools) in beautiful, accessible places in nature. For all ages. Exactly what we at Barts Boekje are looking for and you probably are too.

Below are our favorite Dutch sleeping spots:

Before we start, we want to emphasize why we like Dutchen so much! It really is all in the details. The accommodations are just as well designed on the outside as they are on the inside. After a day in the dunes, the forest or on the beach, you don't have to disappear inside. No, many of the living spaces are open, so you sit half inside, half outside.

Lounging is done in the sun or shade (yes, under a roof or parasol), cooking is also possible outside, from BBQ to complete outdoor kitchen and you end the day at the campfire. And then as an ultimate bonus: in many places you will also find private wellness, from sauna to hot tub and an outdoor shower. Let's be honest: this is what you want, right? We do.

Suitelodges Gooilanden

When we think of nature in the Netherlands, most people say: the Veluwe. But there is so much more. Also closer to home. Because yes, not everyone has the time (read: desire) to drive more than an hour. So let's start in the Randstad. We present to you: Suitelodges Gooilanden yes, right in the Gooi. Between heath, forest and water, in the most wonderful lodges.

Some are located on the water, others have a jacuzzi, but they have one thing in common: lots of outdoor space, a sleek but natural design and no concrete blocks in sight. The Loosdrechtse Plassen are really around the corner and give you that nice, relaxed holiday feeling right away.

For the kiddos there is the wonderful OERRR play forest with fun treasure hunts, nice walking routes (tip: the Boscafé in Lage Vuursche!) and yes, even Hilversum is around the corner. But if you don't look for it, you won't notice it.

Our tip: skip the city, breathe in the fresh air and make beautiful memories outside. Because the city won't run away.

Heritage Park De Hoop

Then one a little further north in the Netherlands. For people from Amsterdam only a half hour drive, and for people from Rotterdam an hour, a piece of cake! This park is perfect for families with young children and larger groups. So: a weekend away with the whole family? Grandparents along? Or multiple families together? Mega fun.

Here you will find that wonderful traditional Dutch atmosphere with a touch of history: an old sawmill, an iconic mill and a typical West Frisian decor. And then you are also right on the Uitgeestermeer. Grab a SUP or canoe (available for free) and go out on the water. Or rent a bike, because in half an hour you are on the beach of Castricum aan Zee. For the kids there is truly endless entertainment, such as the nature playground and an extensive activity program. You can find it here.

The accommodations of Heritage Park De Hoop are just as nice: from glamping tents and stylish wooden cottages to luxury holiday homes suitable for groups of up to 16 people. Here again options with wellness (note when booking: this is not the case with all cottages). By the way, that communal barbecue is also a real hit!

Don't feel like cooking? Then UNDER the solution. You choose a menu, the chef (think: restaurant level) cooks it in his own kitchen and it is delivered to your Dutchen sleeping place. All you have to do is finishing touch to do with the chef's simple instructions. Et voila: restaurant quality at your own garden table. Holiday vibes to the max.

Park de Zeegser Duinen

Okay, now really out of the Randstad. Sometimes that's just what you need. In the north, a different wind really blows. Yes, on to the greenest province of our country: Drenthe! There lies Park de Zeegser Duinen, in the middle of the beautiful Drentsche Aa National Park.

Here you are truly one with nature. This is one of the most unspoilt nature reserves in the Netherlands. And you should make use of it. During the day you can romp around (with or without the kids), build dams in the streams, swim, paddle board – everyone is a child again. Back home you can jump under the outdoor shower, and in the evening the fire pit is lit. If you can hold out until the night: be sure to look up. The starry sky here is amazing. No idea what you are looking at? Download the Star walk-app.

And of course: here too, plenty of fine lodges plus luxury villas for 8 people, and wow, these are really spacious and unique. With a beautiful kitchen, including a cooking island (sometimes even a wine fridge). The place for kitchen princes and princesses! But also inside everything is tip-top, not only the kitchen, but the entire interior: chef's kiss. But then outside: gigantic gardens with outdoor wellness, outdoor kitchens (yes, you can also cook outside) and large, cozy fireplaces. So, stock up on marshmallows!

Park Duynvoet Schoorl

And then not to be missed a spot at the beach. Dutchen has several parks at the Schoorlse Duinen: Weideduyn, Mooi Schoorl, Buiten Bergen and Duynvoet. We zoom in on the latter.

Park Duynvoet Schoorl is wonderfully small-scale, with only 8 villas. As a result, it does not feel like a holiday park at all. The villas have charming thatched roofs and beautiful large glass facades and blend in beautifully with the landscape. Think of an outdoor patio, fire pit, nice outdoor lounge and some an outdoor kitchen, all to be as comfortable outside. The privacy is also wonderful thanks to the large, enclosed gardens. Some villas even have a trampoline in the garden. We can say: these are real luxury standouts.

Also around the corner: the Klimduin (always a hit with children), and the Buitencentrum Schoorlse Duinen with a forest playground and walking routes especially for young adventurers. Without kids? Even then you can enjoy yourself here. Hours of walking, cycling, swimming and then plopping down on your own terrace in the sun. What more could you want?

Experience Extraordinary

Come on, get out from behind that screen and into the fresh air! Easier said than done, for young and old and believe us, we get it. After all, we are an online platform ourselves... all very nice, but we can also do without it for a weekend, you know. Really!

Although Dutchen helps a lot with that. This year it's all about Experience Extraordinary. A campaign that you see in all kinds of fun ways in all the parks. For example, there is the clean-up bingo: a game with which you clean up nature in a playful way. But also classics such as lawn bowling and KUBB are ready for you to play outside. And then perhaps the best thing for the kids: the collaboration with Sprit (big fan here!). They make nature boxes full of activities with which kids learn about and especially in nature in a playful way.

Book your next holiday with Dutchen you do here.

All together in nature: our favorite Dutch sleeping places in the middle of the greenery