The Netherlands is just a small country and it doesn’t have many 5 star hotels. So, when they open a brand new renovated 5 star hotel and you get invited to come and check it out, then that’s a straight yes!
Traveltomtom team member Ashley got to experience first hand this luxury hotel in Arnhem and wrote this review of Hotel Haarhuis.
About Hotel Haarhuis
Hotel Haarhuis was originally founded by the Haarhuis family in 1918. It wasn’t even a hotel when they started, it was a coffee house. This was a central place for people to gather and enjoy a freshly brewed cup of coffee. To this day, Hotel Haarhuis is a place where people come together.
Not just as a coffee house, but a full-service 5-star hotel with hotel rooms, various restaurants & bars, fitness and conference center.
Surely a very special place in Arnhem.
Location
In terms of accessibility, you simply can’t beat the location of this hotel. The hotel is located at Station Square, right opposite the central station of Arnhem and right in the city center. Travelling to Arnhem and Hotel Haarhuis is therefor best by public transport. Trains and buses arrive and depart right in front of the hotel, no hassle at all.
If you’re travelling by car you can park your car at their own carpark behind the hotel, based on availability. If this carpark is full you can park your car across the road in the parking garage, right under the railway station.
Signature Suite
The hotel features 127 comfortable rooms with Arnhem city views. For that little bit of extra luxury you can choose one of their Design Suites with a freestanding bath tub, the Superior Deluxe Rooms with sauna and Whirlpool or the split-level loft with separate living and sleeping areas.
We were given the Signature Suite. This room is located on the top floor of the hotel, quietly located at the rear of the hotel. The room is equipped with a comfortable king-size bed, a luxurious bath tub, a sitting area and a desk.
Besides the bath tub the room has a large bathroom with a walk-in rain shower and toilet. The room is equipped with a suitepad tablet. This tablet includes music, games and information about the city and surroundings. You can also enjoy you favorite programs on the 49-inch TV, which also includes a Chromecast.
The room is super comfy and luxurious. The bath tub in the middle of the room, in front of a large mirror is spot on. You can even watch television from the bath tub, so well thought out!
Views from our room included the St. Eusebius Church and the John Frost Bridge. This bridge was inaugurated after the end of World War II, and is named after Major-General John Dutton Frost. He commanded the British forces that reached and temporarily defended the pre-existing Rhine Bridge at the same location during the Battle of Arnhem in September 1944. This is also the bridge referenced in the film ‘A Bridge Too Far’.
Restaurant LOCALS
A luxury hotel needs a luxurious and high-end restaurant. It’s all in their name, LOCALS stands for local products and people. Here you can enjoy high-quality dishes in which local / Dutch cuisine play a leading role. With their very own Vertical Farm and locally produced products you can really taste the best of Dutch soil.
You really go on a culinary journey here and you will be surprised by special and beautiful dishes.
Of course we had to try dinner here while staying at the hotel. We choose the 4 course surprise dinner by the chef.
They take dietary requirements into account and surprise you with the most special, colorful and tastiest dishes. Definitely one of our most special culinary experiences.
Vertical Farm
I already briefly mentioned the Vertical Farm above, but I think it deserves a little more explanation. Restaurant LOCALS grows its own vegetables and herbs in a Vertical Farm. This greenhouse was created and realized in collaboration with Vegger on the first floor of the hotel.
Vertical farming is growing food in stacked cultivation layers, in a fully controlled environment. Energy, light and water are controlled to grow as efficiently and sustainably as possible, without external influences. The crops grow entirely on water, without the use of soil. In LOCALS greenhouse you can find vegetables and herbs such as different types of basil, lettuce varieties, coriander, oregano, endive and beet sprouts. Truly a unique way of growing vegetables and herbs in Arnhem. Hotel Haarhuis is the first hotel in the Netherlands with its own Vertical Farm.
BLOU Rooftop Bar
Rooftop Bars are super popular, trendy and happening these days. It’s one of the coolest things to do, on a sunny day to enjoy a delicious drink in the sun on a nice roof top terrace. Now is the best time to look take things to the next level, literally. BLOU Rooftop Bar is the hotspot in Arnhem.
BLOU Rooftop Bar is located on the fifth floor of Hotel Haarhuis. To fully enjoy the views, the rooftop bar is not covered. So, when the weather is bad, the bar could be closed.
They also have an upper deck, which is their VIP area. A whole new experience of drinks and dining at the highest point of the hotel. Due to the central location of the hotel, you truly have phenomenal views of the city from this rooftop bar.
We visited Arnhem during the first sunny and warm weekend of 2023, so when we discovered BLOU we were sold. We spend our full Friday afternoon here, until we had to go for dinner. A refreshing cocktail combined with Arnhem city views, enjoyment to the fullest.
The Roofdrop
This might be the craziest thing you’ve ever read in a travel blog. But the Roofdrop is something so special, it deserves attention and a place in this blog.
I have never seen something like this before. Are you ready for the ultimate toilet experience? Discover the coolest toilet in the Netherlands at BLOU Rooftop Bar. The toilet is located in a former elevator shaft, at a height of 18 meters with a glass floor.
Press the button for the ‘ultimate experience’ and let yourself be blown away by spectacular light effects. The Roofdrop toilet experience is the winner of the ‘Gouden Kraan Award’ (Golden Tap Award) for the most beautiful toilet in the Netherlands in 2020. At the Roofdrop they dare you to drop your sh*t!
HOEK – coffee and pastry
Knowing that Hotel Haarhuis once was a coffee house makes the presence of HOEK coffee and pastry very special. HOEK is that one special coffee house where they make the best coffees and the tastiest pastries. Their décor is inviting and cosy. You just want to enjoy a nice cup of coffee here.
We were surprised with a box of macarons from HOEK on arrival in our room. Simply delicious! I can only say one thing, visit HOEK Coffee and Pastry and enjoy all their delicious goodies.
The Storage
Everything about this hotel is beautiful, special and simply awesome. But I think The Storage might just be my favorite place. During our stay it was used as breakfast area, because their actual breakfast room was being renovated. But this room and lounge is truly special. I think the pictures speak for themselves.
The Storage is a cozy wine cellar and whiskey bar, located in the basement of the hotel. Here you can tap an exclusive wine from one of the many wine barrels or take a seat in a lounge chair in the Executive Lounge.
City Spa
A hotel without a spa and wellness, that’s a no-go nowadays. Hotel Haarhuis has got you covered with the City Spa. It’s time to relax! It’s a luxurious wellness with sauna facilities and options for a wellness treatment.
The City Spa is open daily.
The great thing about Hotel Haarhuis is that you can find various concepts under one roof. With all these different concepts, restaurant, spa, rooftop bar, coffee and pastry shop and a wine and whiskey cellar, they offer a wide and complete range of hospitality, luxury and relaxation. You really don’t need to leave the hotel to have a fantastic and divers weekend.
We totally recommend staying in Hotel Haarhuis in combination with an extended weekend or city trip to Arnhem. It’s the perfect luxury hotel if you have something to celebrate and are looking for that one special place. That one place that offers it all and is equipped with all comforts and luxury.
This blog was written by travel writer and Traveltomtom team member Ashley. She stayed at Hotel Haarhuis, on behalf of Traveltomtom, and wrote this hotel review blog about her experiences.
Enjoy your trip to Arnhem!
