Located in Slenaken in the beautiful Dutch Hills of Southern Limburg, you will find the 4-star Spa & Wellness Hotel ‘Klein Zwitserland’ (Little Switzerland). With 36 luxury rooms, wellness facilities, a renowned high-quality restaurant and a beautiful environment with stunning views, this amazing hotel is a perfect and responsible place to stay when you plan a holiday in South Limburg, and more specific the Dutch Hills (Heuvelland).
South Limburg is well known because of the green hilly landscape, which is unique in contrast to the lesser relief in the rest of the Netherlands. South Limburg, including the town of Slenaken, offers beautiful walking areas, hiking trails and cycling paths to discover its beautiful green nature and landscapes. Apart from that South Limburg has a lot of other things to do and see, from various museums, exciting caves in Valkenburg, GaiaZOO in Kerkrade and Europe’s largest indoor ski arena Snowworld to the three-border region in Vaals, the historical city of Maastricht and the American Cemetery located in Margraten.
For more places to see around the Heuvelland read my things to do in Heerlen guide or wanna explore all the beautiful places to visit in The Netherlands Im sure I can help you too.
In this article I share 10 reasons why Hotel Klein Zwitserland is the perfect place to stay when you visit South Limburg and Slenaken, the pearl of the Dutch Hills and the Gulp valley.
1. Location: perfect base to discover the Dutch Hills plus Germany and Belgium
Hotel Klein Zwitserland is situated in Slenaken, which is part of the municipality of Gulpen-Wittem, located in Limburg, the most southern province of the Netherlands. Slenaken is part of the Dutch Hills, one of the most important touristic regions of Limburg. It’s located close to charming towns like Gulpen, Heijenrath, Beutenaken, Mechelen, Vijlen and Epen where you can find lots of restaurants and cosy bars, which are renowned for their amazing hospitality.
The stunning Wellness Hotel in the natural village of Slenaken is centrally located for daytrips to for example Valkenburg, Maastricht, Aachen (DE) or Liège (BE). These places are all a 30 to 40-minute drive and no further than 25 kilometres from the hotel. Therefore, Hotel Klein Zwitserland is the perfect base to explore the region of South Limburg including its main sights.
From the hotel you’ll have beautiful views of the natural green landscape. In the direct surroundings, you are able to enjoy its nature and hilly landscapes, a perfect area for a nice walk or cycling tour.
South Limburg offers several routes to explore its landscape; one of the most well-known routes is the ‘Mergellandroute’, which leads through the most beautiful landscapes and villages of South Limburg. Ask the reception for a map with walking trails and other routes to discover the best South Limburg has to offer.
Other highly recommended places to visit in the area near Slenaken are the American Cemetery in Margraten and the thee-border region (Drielandenpunt) in Vaals, where you can find the largest labyrinth of Europe.
2. Spa & Wellness facilities ‘Beauty La Perla’
Hotel Klein Switzerland offers wellness amenities, including an indoor swimming pool heated to 30 degrees Celsius, a whirlpool and sauna landscape with Bio sauna 56°C (132.8°F), Finnish sauna 90°C (194°F) and an aroma steam bath. Inside the sauna landscape, you will also find a relaxation area and different showers like an ice- and tropical shower. It also has an outdoor bare feet path.
From the heated indoor swimming pool, you’ll have great views of the surrounded landscape and you can rest at one of the comfortable (water)beds inside or outside on the balcony with a view. As a hotel guest, the entrance to the sauna landscape and swimming pool is free. The swimming pool is free from chlorine, which is better for our health and the environment.
Additionally, you can book a wellness treatment, like a full body massage, sport massage or a facial treatment. The salon, Beauty La Perla, is open from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., 6 days a week.
The above wellness facilities are one of the top reasons to stay in Hotel Klein Zwitserland. Imagine yourself relaxing in the sauna after a heavy hiking trail. A great way to treat your body for all the heavy work.
3. Renowned Restaurant ‘PUUR’
South Limburg is famous for its Burgundian lifestyle and great hospitality. The wonderful restaurant PUUR offers real gastronomic delights! Most of the products and ingredients are organic and originate from specialized regional suppliers. They serve a daily changing 4-5 course menu featuring two main dishes to choose from. An extensive wine list is presented, containing various wines, mostly originating from nearby wine estates.
Having diner in this high-quality Restaurant Puur was a tasteful experience and really made our evening. If you’re a lover of good food, this might be the number one reason to stay in Hotel Klein Zwitserland! The staff was very friendly and we were even offered an extra dish.
4. Comfortable and Spacious (Wellness) Suites
Hotel Klein Zwitserland offers various luxury guest rooms, 36 in total. Most of them have a private terrace with beautiful views over the hills, farmlands and Gulp Valley of Slenaken. The rooms are well designed and exude elegance and comfort, especially the wellness suites and rooms, located in the renewed modern wing. Some suites can also be used as family rooms.
We were offered a luxury and spacious Wellness Superior Room, that contains a very comfortable king-sized bed, a lounge area, a huge flat-screen TV, a bathroom with whirlpool and walk-in shower with rain shower, free use of bath robes and slippers, a terrace with a beautiful view and last but not least a Nespresso coffee machine. Nothing beats an espresso while settling in your room.
5. Free gym
For everyone who is trying to stay fit while traveling, Hotel Klein Zwitserland offers a small gym at the upper floor with a recumbent bicycle, cross-trainer and stationary bike. Apart from these fitness devices, you can enjoy the functionality of the Technogym Kinesis training station, ideal for circuit training.
There are also some yoga facilities available like a fitness mat and gym ball. During your workout, you’re treated with a beautiful view of the surrounding nature. No excuse to miss your workout!
6. In the middle of a walking and cycling area + bike rental
Slenaken is known as one of the best walking areas in the south of the Netherlands, located at the touristic ‘Mergelland route’ through the local hills. Upon arrival, you will receive a map of Slenaken and surroundings, including free walking and biking routes. If you prefer cycling over walking, you have the possibility to hire a (e)bike or scooter. Hotel Klein Switzerland arranges everything for you with their trusted bike rental partner and they deliver the bike of your choice right at the doorstep of the hotel.
I would definitely recommend to explore the surrounded nature, known as the ‘garden of Maastricht’ which is rich in woodlands and meadows. Enjoy panoramic views, surrounding authentic villages with churches, castles and farms and the little Gulp River. You will absolutely appreciate everything this area has to offer.
7. Free parking
Parking your car at Hotel Klein Zwitserland is very easy. They have their own private parking area just around the corner of the hotel, and a few parking spots in front of the hotel. Both parking lots are free and there’s plenty of space.
8. Good & Free WIFI connection
Nowadays, travelers consider a free and fast internet connection as one of the most important amenities a hotel can offer. Hotel Klein Zwitserland offers a secure, fast and reliable WIFI access. I didn’t have any problems or delays while using the WIFI connection during my two-day stay.
9. High-quality local products to support local entrepreneurs
Hotel Klein Zwitserland has been attaching great importance to regional, fresh and homemade products.
One of their specialties is the Dutch cheese platter which is a perfect choice as a dessert, accompanied with delicious wines from local wine estates, for example wine estate Steenberg. The hotel only offers a selection of (local) Dutch cheeses, as the Netherlands is famous for its cheese.
At the delicious breakfast, they also serve different local products, from homemade jams and local cheeses to the authentic Blanche Dael coffee that is originated in Maastricht. Breakfast is served in buffet style – including eggs of your choice, from 08.00 – 10.00.
I’m delighted Hotel Klein Zwitserland supports their local entrepreneurs by using local products and ingredients.
10. Hotel Klein Zwitserland has a Green Key-certificate
The Green Key certificate is one of the leading international ecolabels in tourism for sustainable companies in the hospitality industry and aims to contribute to the prevention of climate change by awarding and advocating facilities with positive environmental initiatives. Hotel Klein Zwitserland is a proud member of the Green Key certificate. This label is recognized by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council and represent a commitment of high environmental standards.
I’m pleased that Hotel Klein Zwitserland participates in making a difference on an environmental and sustainability level. Examples are keeping CO2 emissions low, the non-chlorine swimming pool and using pure and honest products. If you want to make a responsible travel choice, book your stay with Hotel Klein Zwitserland.
Interested in staying in Hotel Klein Zwitserland, Slenaken?
With the above 10 reasons to stay in Hotel Klein Zwitserland I would choose this hotel again in the future. Threat yourself on a luxury wellness experience in the beautiful natural surroundings of South Limburg. You won’t regret it. The hotel is also suitable for business people, as it offers various meeting packages.
Check the Hotel Klein Zwitserland rates below!
This article is written bytravel photographer Kim Paffen, part of the Traveltomtom team. She also wrote amazing Africa articles about Uganda, Madagascar and South Africa. Explore more of Kim’s photography on her Instragram @ourplanetinmylens.
