Climb & Dine: A Foodie’s Day from Tower Breakfast to Michelin-Star Apicius
When you dream of a culinary escape that’s as memorable as it is delicious, Climb & Dine delivers. Picture this: breakfast arriving by pulley to your private suite 33 metres up in a historic water tower, an afternoon of seaside tastes and dune-kissed air, and dinner at the one-star Michelin restaurant Apicius a short distance away. This guide shows you how to savor every bite of a perfect foodie day at Watertower Duin & Bosch in Castricum.
Breakfast in the Clouds: Start 33 Metres Up
Wake to a 360-degree panorama and a suite designed for slow, decadent mornings. Your day begins with an included, complete breakfast prepared by Grand Café De Oude Keuken (DOK) and delivered to your door from 10:00.
How breakfast works
- Breakfast is delivered to the suite and can be hoisted up by pulley to your private floor.
- Prefer to sit down in the café? By prior arrangement you can enjoy breakfast at DOK directly behind the tower.
- The tower operates reception-less, so you’ll have detailed digital instructions and complete privacy while you dine.
Thoughtful, feel-good flavors
DOK focuses on regional, often organic produce and is partly staffed by people with a distance to the labour market—reflecting a commitment to social enterprise you can taste good about while you eat.
Coffee and tea on your terms
Your kitchenette includes a Quooker hot-water tap and a coffee machine with complimentary cups and a selection of tea, so a perfect cup is always within reach.
Midday Bites: From Casual Cafés to Refined Lunch
Castricum offers a spectrum of options for lunch and early afternoon grazing.
- Het Eethuijsje: intimate ambiance and a refined menu for food lovers.
- Brutaal: modern, seasonal dishes from a passionate kitchen.
- Guesthouse Het Ruiterhuys: country-style warmth and hearty dining.
- Aan het Bosch: a choice for traditional gourmets and fine dining enthusiasts.
If you’d rather keep it steps away, DOK is on your doorstep for coffee, lunch, and in-suite or take-away options such as high tea or high beer/wine ordered by phone while you’re staying.
Afternoon Appetite: Cycle the Dunes, Taste the Sea
Two bicycles are included free of charge, perfect for exploring the Noordhollands Duinreservaat and the coast.
- A digital dune access card is emailed to you in advance—no extra purchase needed.
- Printed cycling and walking route maps await on the downstairs cupboard to guide your ride.
- Pedal to Castricum aan Zee for beachside bites and cocktails at popular clubs: Club Zand, Deining, and Zeezicht, all directly on the sand and easily reachable by bike.
Visiting between April and October? You may use the sauna, gym, padel court, and tennis court at nearby Camping Bakkum free of charge with advance reservation via reception—a refreshing pre-dinner reset.
Golden Hour Back at the Tower
Return to your private suite as the light turns honey-gold over the dunes.
- Toast your day with the chilled bottle of prosecco waiting on arrival.
- Sink into the freestanding bathtub with a panoramic view or freshen up in the separate rain shower.
- Set the mood with the in-room sound system, then relax in the sitting area before dinner.
With fast Wi‑Fi, air-conditioning, heating, and a flatscreen TV, you control the tempo while the landscape keeps the magic.
Dinner Destination: Michelin-Star Apicius in Bakkum
End the day on a high note at Apicius, a one-star Michelin restaurant located a short distance from the tower in neighbouring Bakkum. Expect a polished fine-dining experience where the kitchen and cellar work in harmony for a memorable meal.
- Reservation tip: Michelin-starred dining is popular; booking ahead is recommended.
- Getting there: choose the transport that suits your evening (a gentle cycle, a drive from your private parking space next to the tower, or another option you prefer).
Nightcap Above the Treetops
After dinner, return to your sanctuary in the sky. From about 33 metres up in the former water reservoir, you’ll see coastline to the west, open farmland to the east, treetops north and south, and—after dusk—the twinkling city lights on the horizon. Retire to the kingsize bed on the floating mezzanine and let the silence of the dunes complete your Climb & Dine story.
Late check-out until 12:00 lets you linger the next morning—ideally with one last coffee and that sweeping 360-degree view.
Sample Climb & Dine Day Plan
| Moment | What to savor | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Morning (from 10:00) | Complete breakfast delivered and hoisted by pulley | Your private suite |
| Late morning | Coffee or lunch | Grand Café De Oude Keuken (DOK) |
| Afternoon | Scenic cycle and seaside bites/cocktails | Club Zand, Deining, or Zeezicht |
| Early evening | Prosecco and a soak with a view | Your suite |
| Dinner | One-star Michelin fine dining | Apicius (Bakkum) |
| Night | Starry skyline and 360° panorama | Your suite |
Practical Takeaways for Food-Lovers
- Breakfast is included and delivered from 10:00; you can opt to enjoy it at DOK by prior arrangement.
- Two bicycles are included free of charge; beach clubs are easily reachable by bike.
- A dune access card is emailed to you in advance; printed route maps are provided on-site.
- Apicius is a one-star Michelin restaurant a short distance away—reserve in advance.
- Private parking is next to the tower; reception-less check-in begins at 15:00 and late check-out is possible until 12:00.
- Consider a weekday stay—our Doordeweeks Weekend concept means quieter paths, easier restaurant reservations, and an even more peaceful escape.
Frequently Asked Questions (quick answers)
Is breakfast included and how is it served?
Yes. A complete breakfast prepared by Grand Café De Oude Keuken (DOK) is included. It’s delivered to your suite from 10:00 and can be hoisted up by pulley; by prior arrangement you can have it in the restaurant instead.
Is there coffee and tea in the suite?
Yes. The kitchenette has a coffee machine with complimentary cups and tea, plus a Quooker hot-water tap.
Are bikes available?
Yes. Two bicycles are included free of charge for exploring the dunes and coastline.
Do I need a dune access card?
A digital dune access card is emailed to you in advance of your stay.
Where can I fine-dine nearby?
Apicius, a one-star Michelin restaurant in neighbouring Bakkum, is a short distance from the tower.
What dining options are within walking or easy reach?
DOK sits directly behind the tower, and Castricum offers options like Het Eethuijsje, Brutaal, Guesthouse Het Ruiterhuys, and Aan het Bosch. At the beach, Club Zand, Deining, and Zeezicht are popular.
Is parking provided?
Yes. A private parking space is located directly next to the tower.
Is the suite accessible by elevator?
No. There is no elevator. Guests ascend a long historic spiral staircase and a short, steep Swedish staircase to reach the suite about 33 metres up.
How do I book and is there a current promotion?
Book directly via the official website’s booking engine. A temporary offer gives 50% off the second night.
Do you offer gift cards?
Yes. A luxury gift card arrives in an elegant video presentation box and can be personalised with your own video message—an ideal present for foodies, anniversaries, and corporate gifting.
Make Your Reservation (and Your Appetite) Count
From a pulley-lifted breakfast to Michelin-star refinement, Climb & Dine turns a single day into a story you’ll keep savoring. Reserve your private suite at Watertower Duin & Bosch, plan your culinary route with our Surroundings guide, and consider the Doordeweeks Weekend for extra peace. Gifting a gourmet escape? Choose our luxury Gift Card with a personal video message. Your table—and your tower—await.