A Romantic Journey Along the German & Netherlands Border

I recently took the most romantic journey of my life along the German and Netherlands border – without my husband.

It isn’t as scandalous as it sounds.  My romantic journey was with Romantik Hotels & Restaurants, a collective of 200 independently owned hotels across Europe. Each hotel has its own unique style and design. But all the hotels are housed in historic buildings and share the same romantik vision:

Romantik is a perspective on life, a timeless pilosophy. It places feeling at the centre of attention, views people as deeply sensitive beings who perceive the world with their hearts.

This vision translates into slowing down, relaxing and an emphasis on personal service. At the Romantik Hotel Langoed de Holtwijde in Lattrop, owners Marcel and marlies Viek-Wijnbergen know many of their guests by name.  They also greet many of their guests and see them off personally.  They even knew the name of one of their guest’s dog! At the other hotels we visited we were greeted by one of the owners and at both the Romantik Parkhotel Wasserburg Anholt and the Romantik Hotel Hostellerie de Hamert we were greeted by a father/son team.  It’s this level of service that makes for a romantic journey.

My romantic journey started in Romantik Hotel Jadghaus Eiden in Bad Zwischenahn, Germany.

 Due to a delayed train I spent the least amount of time in this hotel, but loved the atmosphere.   It’s located directly on the shores of Lake Zwischenahner and offers guests a private beach only open to hotel guests. Its EidenSpa makes it a great place for a wellness break.

Romantic Journey Highlight of Romantik Hotel Jadghaus Eiden:  The sauna caravans with stunning views of Lake Zwischenahner.

Relaxed and pampered, our romantic journey in a VW Bulli to celebrate Romantik Hotels 40 year anniversary continues to Die Meyer Werft GmbH a shipyard that builds luxury cruise ships in Papenburg.

 While not exactly romantic in nature,  it is a popular tourist attraction with more than 300,000 visitors a year, and on the way to our next destination, so it’s worth a stop.  I liked how small I felt being next to the ships which are humongous.

The romantic journey continues on to Romantik Hotel Langoed de Holtwijde in Lattrop, Holland.

I felt immediately relaxed upon walking in and enjoyed an incredible meal in the relaxed dining room and a peaceful night’s sleep and started the next day off with a massage in the hotel spa.

Romantic journey highlight of Romantik Hotel Langoed de Holtwijde:  I had so many highlights here that I couldn’t list just one; having a drink in front of the fire in the lounge, enjoying my huge room and waking up to a view of a field with cows in the distance and having an early morning massage would top my list though.  Although perhaps best of all was the warm welcome I received from both Marcel and Marlies.  They made me feel so comfortable I felt like I had known them for years.

Also noteworthy is that they will arrange babysitting services with local teens from the community for €4/hour!  As noted by Marlies “We want our guests to enjoy themselves and have the option of having some time to themselves, away from their children if they choose to do so.”

Next up, it was back to Germany to the Romantik Hotel Hof zur Linde in Münster-Handorf.

I didn’t stay here, but I enjoyed an incredible lunch next to an open fireplace.  I also fell in love with the cottage directly on the river – the ultimate lovers hideaway.

Highlight of the Romantik Hotel Hof zur Linde:  The dessert.  I was served, not 1, not 2, but 3 creme brûlées   I ate them all, every last bit.

The journey continues, staying in Germany to the Romantik Parkhotel Wasserburg Anholt in Isselburg/Anholt.

My dream has finally come true, I’ve now slept in a castle!  Not just any castle, it’s also a moated castle!  My room had a view of Rose Island. Located on 42 hectars Romantik Parkhotel Wasserburg Anholt is also home to a museum, a large collection of Salm-Salm paintings, a golf course and a wildlife park. I could have happily spent hours walking through the grounds.

Highlight of Romantik Parkhotel Wasserburg Anholt:  Finally sleeping in  a castle and being treated like a queen.

The last stop on my romantic journey takes me back to The Netherlands to the Romantik Hotel Hostellerie de Hamert in Wellerloi.

I didn’t stay here but enjoyed an incredible lunch and had a tour of the area which is located near the De Maasduinen National Park.  I had planned to go cycling, but the weather didn’t cooperate.

Highlights of the Romantik Hotel Hostellerie de Hamert:  River views while dining and from many of the guest rooms and the excellent proximity to De Maasduinen National Park.

I did my romantic journey in a whirlwind 2 1/2 days, but I would highly recommend taking longer and staying at each hotel for a night or two to relax, unwind and take in the local sights. Perhaps next time I will even bring my husband for a journey that is both romantiC and romantiK.