The Best Hotels in Arnhem, the Netherlands

Wildlife fans, do you know what the Dutch ‘Big Five’ of species are? These animals — foxes, badgers, roe deer, wild boar and red deer — all live among the forests and lakes of Veluwe, where this beautiful hotel resides: an enchanting national park a short drive from Arnhem. It has everything that’s expected of its four-stars: swimming pool, sauna, hi-spec rooms and two excellent restaurants. A local draw is Julia’s Kitchen: with Franco-American cuisine, inspired by the famous cook Julia Child, that serves mainly seafood.

Hotel Beekhuizen is the perfect spot for those of us that want to be in the middle of nature, without giving up our creature comforts. This impressive hotel, with 21 junior suites and separate lodges, can be found within the 50sqkm (19sqmi) Veluwezoom National Park and a ten-minute drive from Arnhem. Design features such as its wood-panelled exterior help it blend in with its surroundings, while it’s luxury touches such as a great wine selection, will make you feel pampered on your stay.

Flower daubed meadows and vast forests wrap the circumference of this family-friendly hotel also located in the Veluwe. Escape real-life with ease by taking long, nurturing walks and bike rides in nature or zip over to see a surly cheetah at the nearby Burgers Zoo. There are 101 comfortable rooms, wellness facilities including an indoor swimming pool and a beautiful terrace to enjoy a drink before dinner at the in-house restaurant.

One for the cyclists among us, this hotel offers easy access to green, wildlife-rich landscape and offers an affordable bike rental and storage package, so you can glide alongside the blossom-lined river Linge, spotting windmills and wild donkeys as you navigate the pancake-flat country roads. The staff at the hotel are friendly and helpful, the breakfast Dutch and plentiful and the rooms modern and functional. Elst is the nearest town with quaint shops and eateries to stumble upon.

Who knew Arnhem was the fashion capital of the Netherlands? Hotel Modez, located in the design district, Modekwartier, is out to prove it is just that. It’s the vision of Studio Piet Paris who invited a troop of 30 local Dutch designers to craft each room in their own unique style. The results vary from subtle, naturally-dyed bedspreads and knitted lampshades to bright pink inflatable men. No matter what room you book however, you’ll be sleeping in luxury as Auping beds and rain showers run throughout.

The stainless windows, the original organ and plenty of pews — everything points to this hotel’s former life as a Lutheran church. But inside tradition ends. The space is decorated with street art and moorish touches while the food concept is inspired by Moroccan bazaars. Bedrooms are glass-fronted and ‘float’ on stilts over the dining room. One larger option is in a former sexton’s house; quirky doesn’t cut it, but this well thought out hotel definitely isn’t all style over substance.

A nod to the Hamptons in the Netherlands: this grand country pile, with distinct presidential vibes, is located on an estate of 750ha (1850 acres) and on the edge of the Veluwe National Park, but as if by magic, still only a five minute drive from Arnhem. The French restaurant La Belle Source really delivers on the finest of fine dining and head Chef Niek Bezuijen excels from amuse-bouche to dessert and uses ingredients from the estate, including honey from the beehives and herbs from the gardens.

A night in this art nouveau-style Victorian pile will have you feeling as though you’ve stepped back into a bygone era and misplaced your bonnet. Hotel Molendal has 16 beautifully decorated luxury rooms with lofty ceilings and wall-swallowing windows, and sits in the heart of Arnhem on the edge of Sonsbeek Park. Spend a day in the city centre hopping between the Historic Museum and the concert hall Musis Sacrum, home of the orchestra Het Gelders Orkest. Your hotel hosts will happily book you tickets to music and dance events in advance.

Guests at this hotel can expect to be well caffeinated, as the coffee bar downstairs pops out fresh tarts, sourdough and flat-whites daily. This hipster place would sit comfortably on a street in any trendy pocket of Amsterdam or Berlin and has just as much style as it does substance. The four super-stylish suites feature Coco Mat beds, a steam shower cabin or, if you’re lucky, a two-person whirlpool. Dinner here features seasonal dishes made with local ingredients, which can be delivered straight to your room if you don’t fancy venturing out the restaurant.