Farm lodges & landscape rooms at Droste’s Twente
Spread over the most beautiful places in Twente, between an eclectic mix of fascinating landscapes, you can find Droste’s. These various farm lodges turned small-scale holiday accommodations are based on the unique concept developed by hotel owner Harald Droste.
It all started in 1928 with a small café and grocery shop. Over the years, it transformed into an exemplary, but quirky hotel and restaurant in Tubbergen: Droste’s Herberg. Nowadays, the inn has 20 nice rooms, a modern café, a winter garden and an excellent restaurant that’s been awarded a Bib Gourmand by Michelin.
Expansion
The owner decided not to expand the hotel with another building. Instead, he came up with a whole new, unique concept. More and more barns, stables, and parts of farms became vacant on old farmyards in the province. Together with the farmers, he developed surprising architectural studios on these existing locations. In this way, the company can still grow, but he can remain a nice innkeeper himself. Something that seems to suit him better than hotel director!
Farm lodges
On these farm lodges, the farmers are actually just hosts in their own yard. All lodges have a double bed for the adults and a box bed for the children, and some even have a hot tub and sauna!
For example, there is a typical Twente, de Bölte, in Nutter, a hamlet in the undulating landscape around Ootmarsum. Two identical farm lodges have been created here in the old barn, and there is also a farm room on the first floor. The latter is slightly different from the lodges because it comes without a kitchen and box bed. You will also find a farm spa at this location, run by the farmer’s wife Marinka!
After this concept, the primal farm was also created, with the intention of creating a place without too many frills so that people can get back to the basics. The Droste’s original farm is located in a magical place near De Lutte and is suitable for larger groups because it has 8 double rooms and 6 single rooms. Perfect for a getaway with friends and family or for business retreats.
Erve Heerman
Jazzie, Nina (our wonderful intern), and I chose to stay at Erve Heerman. This former Twente farm is located in the middle of farms that still exist in Beuningen, near the town of Denekamp. The Lutterzand nature reserve, where the Dinkel meanders, is also nearby. Three wooden lodges have been created in a special way in the former cowshed. We slept in one of these lodges on the first floor. What a pleasant surprise it was when we arrived.
Our visit
Although the outside already looked promising, the ‘entrance’ with exposed wooden beams was quite impressive. The studio itself is elongated, from left to right: the bedroom (with a nice double bed and box bed), the bathroom (with bath, shower, washbasins, and sauna), the toilet, living room, and the kitchen (fully equipped). It really is a full house within a studio! And it doesn’t feel cramped at all, everything was very spacious. So lovely!
The three of us were able to completely relax during our stay – although that may not be apparent from the photos. 😉 We cooked delicious food, drank a glass of wine (there was a bottle waiting for us), took a bath, tried the sauna, and slept divinely!
Landscape room
Harald’s latest project is the landscape room, arguably their most unique accommodation at the moment. And I was lucky to have stayed here once before for a midweek break.
his detached hotel room is located on farm property and is the perfect location to completely unwind and go back to basics. Wake up from the sunlight with a view over Overijssel’s breathtakingly beautiful landscape, drink wine by the fireplace on the veranda, walk through the Springendal national forest or go on an excursion to the charming town of Ootmarsum. And bonus points: this tiny house is completely energy neutral!
Get offline and enjoy!
What is perhaps the most important thing to mention is you cannot cook here. There is, however, coffee and tea facilities along with a small fridge. Luckily, it’s only a short drive to the Inn, so you can grab a bite to eat there. You are also completely offline here because there is no WI-FI and no TV!
Whichever accommodation you choose, there is plenty to do in the area. All locations are perfect if you are looking to experience the wonderful rhythm of the countryside!
→ This article was written in collaboration with Droste’s. We were allowed to stay here for a night for free, in exchange for content. Of course you can read our own opinion here!
