HOSPITALITY AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL

At Het Arresthuis, you will experience hospitality at the highest level. And all of this in a very special location: in a former prison located in the center of Roermond in Limburg.

EVA VAN MEIJL
PHOTOGRAPHY: NOPOINT STUDIO'S

Van der Valk opened a second hotel in the cozy city of Roermond in 2011, called Het Arresthuis, located half a kilometer away from Van der Valk Theaterhotel De Oranjerie. Het Arresthuis is perhaps one of the most striking Van der Valk Hotels, situated in a building with an unusual story. This location was used as a prison from 1863 until 2007. Do not worry: the austere cells were transformed into charming hotel rooms. During the transformation, authentic details were preserved. Original cell doors are still in use, and you can see bars on the windows.

BUBBLES UPON ARRIVAL

The history is also reflected in the names of the hotel rooms. You can choose from Comfort and Deluxe Cachottes and suites with names such as De Cipier (The Jailer) and De Advocaat (The Lawyer). With forty hotel rooms, this is one of the smaller hotels within the Van der Valk chain, but it certainly stands out. Five years ago, Het Arresthuis was the first Van der Valk Hotel to receive a five-star rating. One of the reasons for this recognition is the exceptionally high level of service. Hotel manager Rianne Balkestein explains: "Because the hotel is not large, we can raise the level of service even higher. This starts at check-in. We have a cozy seating area where we welcome guests with a glass of bubbly. The reception team, led by front office manager Emmy Jacobs and her assistant Kim van Sebille, takes the time to go through all the facilities. Meanwhile, the luggage is taken to the hotel room. We then accompany the guests and tell them about the history of this special location. Everyone always finds that interesting to hear. After all, it is extraordinary that prisoners were held here. A personal card and a bag of homemade cookies are waiting in the rooms to give guests an extra welcome."

DRIVEN TEAM

Damianz, located in the former reception area of the prison, is not just any restaurant. Today, chef Jeroen van Gansewinkel is in charge here. He and his kitchen team will make you enjoy a four to seven-course fine dining experience.

They use local products and fresh, seasonal ingredients. Attention to the guest is also a priority at Damianz: from special dietary requirements to advice on matching wines. Rianne: 'Because the restaurant has a good reputation, with 16 Gault Millau points, we also receive many reservations from non-hotel guests. We have a close-knit, motivated team. Several colleagues have taken courses and training through Van der Valk Training. Many top performers have been working here for a long time, and you can see their development. For example, David Manders started with a part-time job in service and worked his way up to become our head sommelier. Attention to detail is also very important to all of us. Everything is arranged down to the last detail.'

INSIDER TIPS

Guests often choose to stay at Het Arresthuis when they have something to celebrate or for example for a marriage proposal. The team also arranges everything tailored to that. And if you want to go out and about, you will receive the best tips. Rianne: 'Walking in the historic city center, shopping at the Designer Outlet, cycling around De Maasplassen; there are many possibilities from here. Because this is a small hotel, you recognize guests when they come back. It's always nice when we hear that our tip was a success!'