The Credentials:
Located in the verdant Strijthagerbeek valley in the Southeast of the Netherlands, close to the German border, WinserlerHof (the name comes from the German word ‘winzer’ meaning wine grower) is a 16th century country farmstead – think vaulted ceilings and half-timbered walls surrounding a pretty inner courtyard.
Restored, refurbished and converted into a hotel and restaurant in the mid ‘80s, it hasn’t since rested on its laurels. It now boasts six hectares of grounds – a vineyard was planted in its gardens last year (the region is similar to Burgundy 100 years ago) – and its 49 four-star rooms are in the process of being upgraded (two at a time to avoid inconveniencing guests).
A member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World, the hotel has also been recognized for its sustainable approach, having attained the Golden Green Key (the highest level available) certificate.
Dine:
Designed by Henk Vos (who also designed Kruisheren Hotel, Maastricht), Italian Ristorante Pirandello is a show-stopper with its huge windows to make the most of the views (the young vineyard is beautifully lit at night), large linen-covered tables, marble floors, chairs by Barcelona Design and just-right level lighting and music.
What’s more, French restaurant guide Gault Millau rated Pirandello the best Italian restaurant in the Netherlands. Chef Raol Gooverts and his team’s simple Italian dishes are given a twist and live up to the eye-catching surrounds. Everything – from the pasta to the cookies – is made from scratch while herbs and fruit come from the gardens. Our three-course dinner (€37) was washed down with surprisingly good local wine (made from the Müller-Thurgau grape, I learnt).
Luigi’s Bar, an informal trattoria (where the wedding party feasted), can be found in the old vaulted wine cellar while the simple buffet breakfast – with champagne – is served in Pirandello.
Sleep:
Featuring ancient wood beams and exposed brick walls, our split-level room included a romantic lounge area with a skylight in the roof. Decorated and generously furnished in a homely country cottage style, except for the new white-tile-and-grey-slate bathroom with built-in radio (and stocked with their own basil-scented toiletries), the room was spacious and we were welcomed with a personal note, a pot of homemade plum jam and a generous fruit bowl. Bottles of water, tea-making facilities and free wi-fi had also been included.
Who Goes There?
With its close proximity to Maastricht (the Netherlands), Aachen (Germany) and Liège (Belgium) cities, the hotel attracts a lot of business visitors. However, there were Dutch couples, German families with their dogs and a German wedding party during our weekend stay.
Out & About:
If you’re only going to visit one city within this Euroregion then Maastricht, with its French and Belgian influences in architecture and food, is a must. We also spent an afternoon at outlet shopping village Maasmechelen (sister of Bicester) in Belgium but alternatively Designer Outlet Roermond is equidistant to the hotel.
Family Mondo Verde world park, Europe’s biggest indoor ski resort SnowWorld and modern GaiaPark Kerkrade Zoo are within walking distance of the hotel.
It’s also worth checking out a local vineyard (such as Wijngaard De Apostelhoeve, Hoeve Nekum, Domaine Backerbosch and Wijngoed Thorn) – initially planted in Roman times. Or ask the hotel staff for a map of the walk in Brunsummerheide nature reserve.
The Worst Thing:
There were a few niggles – we had twin beds pushed together, the bath towels were on the small side, the iron was non-steam and the mini bar was empty. But these were easy to overlook given the generous personal approach of the hotel and its staff, plus it’s fabulously affordable.
The Best Thing:
It is rare to find a restaurant as good as Pirandello in the Netherlands.
