Quirky Boutique Hotel Staat is full of vintage curios and has a room to fit all styles, making it a perfect Haarlem stay.
Our aubergine room on the first floor has high ceilings (5 metres) and looks out onto a small courtyard. A cute patterned mid-century formica table and blush pink velvet chairs sit on a level a step up from the bed (also purple) and next to the window. Across the room a pale blue ceramic panther prowls ready to pounce from the double wardrobe and behind him a pair of blue and black thick brocade curtains lined in orange open to the large and roomy bathroom behind.
Black tiles and a large chandelier offer up a stylish interior contrast to the rest of the purple hues in the bedroom. There’s a walk in shower and fluffy, hooded bathrobes ready to keep us warm. It’s delightfully fun, cool, quirky, comfy and just perfect for our 24 hours quick trip to Haarlem (although clearly we want to stay much longer).
Each room at the Boutique Hotel Staat, which opened in 2017, offers a cool combination of modern and luxury touches. The individual rooms are bold in colour and design with Michel Ruijgrok of design agency ESTIDA pulling out all the stops to make this hotel a special and unique living environment.
Breakfast is served in the front of the building at the hotel’s restaurant De Ripper. Cheeses, meats and cereals are served continental style with the gooiest brownies (perfect with a morning coffee) and the tastiest of freshly made green juice available.
The restaurant and bar are full of jewel colours; emerald green lacquered table tops, royal blue upholstered chairs and mismatch tiling are surrounded by large fauna. The restaurant is scattered with schooling influences (blackboard table tops and scribbled workings out on the carpet) which is quite apt as it also serves as a space where young people can learn culinary and hospitality skills through the open kitchen.
Large and lush plants fill the hotel’s communal areas, along the multi-coloured corridors. It isn’t difficult to feel at home here especially with oversized jars of sweets and lollies scattered along corridors and cosy chairs to lounge around in. Our only disappointment – we weren’t staying longer to fuel our curiosity as to what delights were behind the other bedroom doors.
The independent hotel is a perfect location for our first stay in Haarlem. Just a 15 minute ride from Amsterdam Centraal, the city in the northwest of the Netherlands, is full of medieval splendour. The cobblestone streets, gabled houses and truly laid-back Dutch hospitality makes it feel sleepy in comparison to bustling Amsterdam, although granted on the day we visit it is pouring with rain.
WHAT TO DO WHEN YOU ARE THERESHOPPING: Haarlem has been voted the Netherlands’ best shopping destination and it is easy to see why; there are plenty of great concept and lifestyle stores to spend your money as well as plenty of well-known quality brands.
BEER TASTING: There’s a beautiful church-turned-brewery in the centre of Haarlem where you can go beer tasting. De Jopenkerk brews directly from the church with an impressive 25 beers on tap (and plenty more by the bottle). From IPA’s and Blonde’s to Oatmeal Stouts and Porters the strength varies with their ‘Ex Girlfriend BA Port & Rum’ (a traditional Eisbock BA) served at a very strong 11.3%.
Drink with the locals at Proeflokaal In den
EATING: Try the Burgers at Thrill Grill. Everything at the restaurant is locally sourced with 100% dutch beef and plenty of great options for veggies and vegans.
Or enjoy a huge open sandwich at De Volkslust for lunch with the locals who seem to use the space as a remote office.
