On a latest journey to the Netherlands, we have been kindly invited to take pleasure in a keep at Château St. Gerlach: a historic five-star superior lodge set alongside nature reserve Ingendael alongside the Geull River within the south of the Netherlands. The lodge is a part of Oostwegel Assortment and Relais & Châteaux and boasts two Eating places, a bar, Spa & Wellness and Convention Centre (St. Gerlach Pavilion) – it’s a lovely place to spend time whether or not for enterprise or leisure. Learn on for the total assessment.
Featured picture by © Chantal Arnts
Location
Situated inside Valkenburg, on a nature protect and alongside the Geul River, and only a 10-minute drive from Maastricht, the appeal of Château St. Gerlach is obvious upon arrival. The lengthy driveway in direction of the reception immediately creates a sense of grandeur which is additional enhanced by well-manicured gardens, diversified and vibrant items of paintings add curiosity, however it’s the Château itself which is the stand-out centre piece.
Historical past
The now five-star superior lodge, resort and vacation spot restaurant was restored to this tremendous luxurious property in 1997, and past its wonderful and modern-day services lies a storied previous.
Relationship again to the thirteenth century the historic property was initially constructed as a monastery for pilgrims to relaxation after visiting the grave of hermit Gerlachus. With different noble makes use of in between, it wasn’t till the 19th century that it was then transformed into the castle-like manor home with working farm buildings and church. For years Baron Robert De Selys de Fanson, a Belgian Diplomat, lived within the Château nonetheless, with no heirs to tackle the property, he bequeathed it to the native church council of Houthem. Left derelict it grew to become more and more dilapidated; nonetheless, the property had already caught the attention of native boy, Camille Oostwegel Sr., who had grand plans to revive and rebuild the property to its former glory and after the two-year intricate and meticulous restoration undertaking, Château St. Gerlach opened as the attractive lodge we just lately had the pleasure of visiting.
Arrival & Test In
The lodge crew had organized a switch for us from Château Neercanne, which was approx. 20 minutes drive. The motive force was good and punctual and the automobile was immaculate – switch companies to and from the lodge might be pre-booked by friends.
The reception space of the lodge is situated in direction of the top of the lengthy driveway and was as soon as the grain lofts. The outside of this constructing is extra fashionable than the Château and can be residence to a few of the 114 rooms and residences. Up to date interiors complement authentic options and a nicely laid out area contains a lounge, bar, and a normal place to take a seat and loosen up.
The receptionists greeted us warmly, check-in was fast and straightforward and we have been knowledgeable in regards to the services out there. The porter, who was additionally very educated and took delight in his function took us to our room which was additionally situated within the former property farmhouse.
Rooms & Suites
Our room was lovely, with fashionable interiors that highlighted authentic options such because the uncovered beams and home windows. A impartial color pallet created a relaxed atmosphere and sliding doorways opened to a trendy and spacious lavatory with walk-in bathe, outsized tub and twin vainness unit. Sothys is the chosen model for toilet facilities.
Ample wardrobe area kitted out with bathrobes, slippers and a useful tote bag (ought to we have to carry our belongings to the spa) have been offered together with an umbrella, well-stocked mini bar, protected, garments steamer and tea and occasional station.
The king-size mattress was extraordinarily comfy, and the TV confirmed a movie of the lodge highlights. A welcome notice and a few handmade sweets have been laid out for our arrival – this was an ideal place to name our residence for the subsequent 24 hours.
The lodge contains 59 five-star superior rooms starting from deluxe rooms, deluxe terrace to spacious suites with a personal backyard and 55 four-star serviced flats overlooking the orchard. The selection of room varieties makes this an excellent lodge for households, buddies or {couples}.
The Property
We explored the property with the motels’ GM, Bastiaan Klomp, giving us a complete guided tour. Bastiaan has labored for the Oostwegel household in varied properties for over 9 years and couldn’t communicate extra extremely of the operation. He clearly enjoys his function and shares the identical ardour for Château St. Gerlach that the Oostwegel household does.
I used to be so happy he confirmed us round as we discovered so many little nuances and found locations we might have in any other case neglected.
The property covers 400 acres and contains, a fruit orchard, bee hives, vegetable backyard, 11,000 vines, a rose backyard (which was not but in bloom) a cute little bridge named after Dutch Princess Amelia.
On our strategy to see Sint Gerlachuskerk the church throughout the grounds which is devoted to the holy Saint Gerlachus, Bastiaan factors out the design of the unique paving within the courtyard which displays the beams of the unique monastery.
It’s a true spectacle with the 17th century fresco’s depicting such intricate and visible tales of that point. Pilgrims proceed to go to the location to pay respects to St. Gerlachus. Guests can even discover a small pink wood shutter excessive up on the precise facet of the church. Bastiaan tells us this was a window to the Baron’s non-public room from the place he may watch the companies – and it was stated that when he acquired bored, he’d sit and skim the papers as an alternative or just draw his pink curtains to point out he’d had sufficient!
This was additionally the church by which the Oostwegel household shared vital moments equivalent to weddings, baptisms or communions and that is additionally out there for friends to guide for such events.
One other place of historic curiosity is the small museum situated subsequent to the church which showcases the bust of St. Gerlachus, which utilizing his precise cranium was expertly reconstructed and really life-like. The undertaking had a number of contributors together with The Rolling Stones, who had visited while staying on the Château and have been really captivated by the story.
Maybe my favorite story that Bastiaan shared with us was the one in regards to the Baron, who as soon as invited some armed forces for dinner throughout World Struggle II. A number of good meals and wine have been loved and one of many troopers unintentionally fired his pistol in Les Salons, it went straight via one of many home windows and the bullet gap nonetheless stays….though this piece of historical past was nearly misplaced perpetually – through the restoration undertaking the builders thought that that they had broken the window and have been about to get rid of it!! Fortunately Camille Oostwegel Sr. was so concerned that he managed to salvage it, and the window stays at the moment as an excellent speaking level and piece of residing historical past. Look intently and you’ll see the bullet gap within the image under.
Meals & Drink
There are two eating places at Château St. Gerlach: Burgemeester Quicx ultimate for lunch, espresso or one thing stronger and Les Salons, the informal tremendous eating restaurant. Apart from that there’s The Foyer Bar for informal drinks and downtime
Breakfast: On the Go! We had an excellent early flight to catch so didn’t have breakfast right here, nonetheless upon check-out have been kindly introduced with ‘brekkie-to-go’ – a bag full of cheese and ham sandwiches, pastries, an apple from the orchard, water and juice.
Lunch: Burgemeester Quicx We loved a lightweight lunch at Burgemeester Quicx which was as soon as a farm constructing and has been restored to keep up this rustic vibe. It was an attractive day, so we sat outdoors within the sheltered courtyard space. Easy tables, chairs, wood benches and farm instruments adorn the partitions to – it’s not fancy however it has an excellent ambiance, and the meals was wonderful high quality and plentiful in portion dimension. Menu choices vary from a wide range of breakfast type dishes, sandwiches, inventive salads, burgers, native desserts, espresso, smoothies, comfortable drinks and alcoholic drinks. Most dishes are comprised of home-grown produce and from native suppliers. It opens from 10am through the weekend and 11am midweek, we acquired there simply earlier than the lunchtime rush and I’m glad we did because it was a preferred spot buzzing with a mixture of native individuals and lodge friends.
Inside, the vibe can be ‘country-kitchen’ with a wood fit-out and a selection of seating choices (excessive bar and stools, commonplace eating tables and chairs and low lounge seats). Deli-style produce, tableware, books and different home-style presents can be found to buy. It was additionally busy inside with fairly a couple of individuals working from their laptops – I actually favored the relaxed vibe right here.
Dinner: Les Salons That is the informal tremendous eating restaurant situated within the historic Château. There are 4 completely different eating rooms right here to cater for each sort of event. We dined in the principle eating room – a sublime and ornate area with intricate and detailed wall panelling and cornicing. Darkish wooden with various shades of inexperienced shaped the color scheme. Banquet type and free-standing tables and chairs set out the eating areas with French doorways opening out to the entrance terrace.
It has a bustling vibe with Head Sommelier and his crew of waiters and waitresses well introduced in uniform.
Chef Guido Le Bron de Vexela leads the gastronomic providing right here with an creative menu and as with all eating places inside Oostwegel Assortment, dishes are created utilizing seasonal, residence grown and native produce. You’ll be able to select a four- to six-course menu, and every dish can be out there à la carte. We loved a glass of champagne and a tasty amuse bouche as we contemplated over the menu. I opted for four-courses and my younger teenage niece opted for the a la carte Seabass fillet.
Freshly baked bread with creamy butter sitting in a vibrant inexperienced basil oil was served earlier than my first course, it was so moreish that it was troublesome to not replenish on this alone. Pickled salmon, vegetable ceviche and citrus gel was the primary of my 4 programs with contemporary and zest notes complementing the wealthy salmon.
Subsequent was Seabass fillet served with pickle, Dutch shrimp compote and a Dutch shrimp bisque. The fish was succulent with a barely crisp pores and skin and the bisque was creamy however gentle and barely salty. I completely loved it.
Limburg Lamb with falafel, pea cream and Limburg asparagus adopted. The lamb was so tender, served pink, and it merely melted within the mouth. The wealthy jus added depth while the agency asparagus and falafel created a complementary texture with the marginally sweetness of the pea cream. Extra of a fish woman, surprisingly this was my favorite of the 4 programs. It actually was divine!
To complete (or so I assumed!) Yogurt mousse, rhubarb compote and rhubarb and liquorice sorbet – all flavours are characters in their very own proper; nonetheless, they have been completely balanced and hints of every glided on the palate to create a creamy but barely refreshing dessert.
I then ordered a peppermint tea which was served with a number of handcrafted petit-fours; the shiny chocolate, shimmering sugar-coated jelly cubes and all-round bite-size morsels of temptation have been too good to withstand!
All dishes have been so superbly introduced and the portion dimension – good!
Wine paring is accessible; and as tempting as this was, I selected to take pleasure in a single glass of the wine. Beneficial by the educated head sommelier, I opted for the home wine comprised of the vines grown within the property which was named Hommage Camille in tribute to founder and authentic proprietor Camille Oostwegel Sr.
Amenities
Spa and Wellness: Earlier than dinner we spent the afternoon within the Spa and Wellness centre which is in a stand-alone constructing and friends can wander to of their bathrobes ought to they want. A lovely indoor swimming pool harking back to a Roman tub is the principle attraction with a Turkish sauna and steam room additionally out there for friends to make use of. The ground-to-ceiling sliding patio doorways lead out to the backyard space the place lounge beds, desk and chairs with solar parasols await. It was a superbly sunny and scorching day, so we made probably the most of this out of doors area earlier than we ventured for our therapeutic massage.
There’s a vary of stress-free and rejuvenating therapies with the remedy rooms situated within the arches of Château St. Gerlach’s historical cellar, creating a soothing and fairly enchanting atmosphere. The therapists have been pleasant and tailor-made every remedy to particular person wants. We solely had time for a 30-minute therapeutic massage which was a much-needed launch for my tense muscle tissues – I may have stayed longer!
Convention Centre: The state-of-the-art St. Gerlach Pavilion covers 760m2 with a capability for 1,000 friends and is used for each enterprise and pleasure.
E-Bikes: Visitors wishing to discover on two wheels could make use of the complimentary e-bikes.
Walks: I urge you to take time to wander across the property and familiarise your self with it as there are such a lot of areas of pure magnificence.
Seasonal Occasions: There are numerous completely different occasions and seasonal choices so make sure you verify the web site occasions calendar to find what’s on provide earlier than you go to.
Last Ideas
Our 24-hours right here have been completely good! The service from the crew was distinctive, as was the meals and the entire ambiance is one in every of pure tranquillity. I got here away feeling actually refreshed and would fortunately take my household again to go to. I extremely advocate!
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