Frequently Asked Questions

It is a private, high-end suite situated at the top of a converted water tower, giving guests exclusive use of an entire boutique hotel floor with a 360-degree panoramic view.

The address is Watertorenpad 2, 1901 ZX Castricum, the Netherlands, on the edge of the Noordhollands Duinreservaat near the North Sea.

The accommodation contains one kingsize bed on a floating mezzanine and is designed for a single couple seeking a romantic stay.

Reception-less check-in starts at 15:00, and late check-out is possible until 12:00; guests receive instructions for accessing the tower without a front desk.

Yes, a complete breakfast prepared by Grand Café De Oude Keuken (DOK) is included and delivered to the suite from 10:00, with the option to hoist it up by pulley or enjoy it in the restaurant by prior arrangement.

A chilled bottle of prosecco is waiting in the suite when guests arrive.

A kitchenette is equipped with a sink, basic inventory, a Quooker hot-water tap, and a coffee machine with complimentary cups and tea.

Guests can use fast Wi-Fi, a sound system, a flatscreen TV, air-conditioning, and heating.

The suite features a freestanding bathtub with a wide view, a rain shower, and a separate toilet on the lower level.

Yes, a private parking space is located directly next to the tower.

Two bikes are included free of charge so guests can explore the surrounding dunes and coastline.

From April through October, guests may use the sauna, gym, padel court, and tennis court at nearby Camping Bakkum free of charge, provided they reserve well in advance via reception.

The surrounding Noordhollands Duinreservaat offers extensive walking and cycling routes, beaches are close by, and the cities of Haarlem, Alkmaar, Amsterdam, and the villages of Castricum and Bakkum provide cultural, culinary, and shopping options.

Reservations are made directly through the official website’s booking engine, and a temporary offer gives 50 % off the second night.

Yes, a gift card packaged with a video of the tower can be purchased for occasions like anniversaries or weddings, and it can include a personalised video message.

Built in 1908 for the Duin & Bosch hospital complex, the structure once stored filtered dune water and is now a protected Rijksmonument after extensive restoration.

It is especially suited to couples seeking a romantic getaway, honeymoon, or private celebration in a unique setting.

The team can be reached at +31 (0)251 743 434 or info@watertorenduinenbosch.nl.

Breakfast receives extra festive touches for stays during Valentine’s Day, Easter, or Christmas.

Guests are encouraged to stay on weekdays to enjoy the panoramic suite and surrounding area in greater peace while the rest of the world is at work.

The private suite covers approximately 20 m² and is positioned about 33 metres high in the former water reservoir, giving guests a full 360-degree view.

Yes. Grand Café De Oude Keuken (DOK) behind the tower provides lunch, coffee, and various in-suite or take-away options like high tea or high beer/wine, which can be ordered by phone while you are staying.

Yes, the suite is furnished with a comfortable sitting area and a high dining table so guests can relax or enjoy in-room meals.

Yes, a one-star Michelin restaurant is located a short distance from the tower, providing guests with an exceptional dining option during their stay.

After entering the ground-floor hall, guests ascend a historic spiral staircase and then a short, steep Swedish staircase to arrive at the suite situated about 33 metres high.

The tower has no elevator; guests must climb a long historic spiral staircase followed by a steep Swedish staircase to reach the suite 33 metres up, so it is not suitable for wheelchair users or anyone who cannot manage stairs.

Yes. During the camping season (April–October), guests are welcome to visit events at nearby Camping Bakkum; contact reception in advance for details and reservations.

Yes. Each Watertoren Duin & Bosch gift card includes a short video of the tower and suite, and you may add your own personalised video message before it is packaged and sent.

The official website is offered in Dutch, German, and English, allowing guests to view details and book in any of these three languages.

No. The kitchenette provides a sink, basic inventory, a Quooker hot-water tap, and a coffee machine with complimentary cups and tea; it does not contain a stove or microwave.

During the camping season (April–October), guests should contact reception well in advance to book the free sauna, gym, padel court, tennis court, or to inquire about events at Camping Bakkum.

Perched about 33 metres high, the suite offers a full 360-degree panorama: the North Sea coastline lies to the west, open farmland stretches eastward, and the treetops of the Noordhollands Duinreservaat frame the north and south. After dusk, guests can also spot the distant twinkling city lights on the horizon.

Yes. Guests can walk to several nearby restaurants, including the on-site Grand Café De Oude Keuken directly behind the tower and a one-star Michelin restaurant located a short distance away.

Breakfast is prepared by Grand Café De Oude Keuken (DOK), a nearby café that uses mostly regional organic produce and is partly staffed by people who have a distance to the labour market, reflecting the tower’s commitment to social enterprise.

Yes. The restored water-tower suite was finished with sustainable materials combined with high-quality design products, creating a modern industrial look while minimising environmental impact.

The gift card arrives in an elegant presentation box containing a card that plays a short video of the tower and suite. Buyers may even add a personalised video message to be displayed on the card, making it a memorable keepsake.

Yes. The kitchenette contains a coffee machine with complimentary cups and a selection of tea, so guests can prepare hot drinks whenever they like.

The tower operates without a traditional front desk; guests receive detailed digital instructions for self check-in and can contact the team by phone or email if assistance is needed at any time.

Yes. Informational displays in the circular ground-floor hall present the rich history of the more than 100-year-old water tower and its restoration.

Yes. A digital dune access card is emailed to every guest in advance of their stay, so you can enter the reserve without purchasing one yourself.

Yes. Several printed cycling and walking route maps are placed on the cupboard downstairs, helping you plan outings in the dunes, Castricum, and the wider region.

While exploring the North Holland Dune Reserve you may see Scottish Highland cattle, Konik horses, Exmoor ponies, as well as local sheep and goats roaming freely along the paths.

Alkmaar and Haarlem are each less than a 30-minute drive from Watertoren Duin & Bosch, and both cities are also perfectly reachable by public transport from Castricum.

National Park Zuid-Kennemerland is situated close to the tower, giving guests another forest-and-dune landscape to explore during their stay.

Since 2021 the suite has been highlighted by newspapers and magazines such as RODI media, Noordhollands Dagblad, Hospitality Management, Entree Horeca, Nouveau, Columbus Travel and De Telegraaf, and it appeared on the RTL TV show “Eigen Huis & Tuin, Lekker Leven” as well as in the travel book “Hidden Cities Nederland.”

In Castricum you can choose from several quality venues: "Het Eethuijsje" offers an intimate atmosphere and a refined menu for food lovers; "Brutaal" serves modern, seasonal dishes from a passionate chef; country-style dining is available at guesthouse restaurant "Het Ruiterhuys"; and "Aan het Bosch" caters to fine-dining enthusiasts. For a special splurge, the one-star Michelin restaurant "Apicius" in neighbouring Bakkum is only a short distance away.

For a relaxed time on the coast the team recommends three trendy beach clubs: "Club Zand," "Deining," and "Zeezicht." All are located directly on the sand at Castricum aan Zee and are easily reachable by bike, offering cocktails, carefully prepared dishes, and great sunset views.

Yes. Watertower Duin & Bosch markets the accommodation as an exclusive bridal suite: high above the ground, couples enjoy complete privacy, a kingsize bed on a floating loft, a freestanding bathtub with panoramic views, a chilled bottle of prosecco on arrival and a freshly delivered breakfast—making it ideal for a wedding night or honeymoon.

Yes. The gift card is promoted as an ideal business present: firms can order the luxury boxed video card for employee milestones, client relations, holidays, or other corporate occasions, giving recipients an unforgettable overnight stay in the 33-metre-high suite.

Guest comments highlight the tower’s striking design, romantic atmosphere, and scenic surroundings. Examples include: “Amazing watertower with a great design and decoration” (Frans) and “Unique location in a nice area with a lot of history; we immediately felt at home” (Maartje).

In Haarlem, guests can explore the Frans Hals Museum and the Teylers Museum, both situated around the historic squares along the river Spaarne. Alkmaar offers the Stedelijk Museum, ideal for expanding your art knowledge during a city-trip from the tower.

Visitor Centre De Hoep in Castricum, situated beside the dune reserve, provides extensive exhibits on local nature and handles reservations for ranger-led walks and other excursions.