Top tip outside the Randstad: Heavens Hotel and The Saint Restaurant in Hoorn

Are you looking for a restaurant where you can stay overnight? In a unique location? Then I have something really great for you—what am I saying: wonderful!—the 4-star boutique hotel Heavens Hotel and The Saint Restaurant in De Grote Kerk in Hoorn, just a 30-minute drive from Amsterdam.

Heavens Hotel is a former church in the centre of the port city of Hoorn, which is truly a magnificent little town. As you walk through the city centre, in some places you can imagine yourself in the 17^th century, surrounded by beautiful classical buildings. And the hotel itself, which borders De Hoornse Straatjes (seven narrower shopping streets), is at least as beautiful.

Nominated for an Entree Award

Heavens Hotel was nominated for an Entree Award (the annual hospitality awards show) in the ‘Best new hotel with fewer than 50 rooms’ category for good reason. For nominations in this category, the jury uses various criteria to assess whether the hotel concept has been executed well, both front and back of house, and whether the hotel manages to stand out in the current hotel landscape. Heavens Hotel does.

Unique historic location

The renovation of the hotel, a national monument dating from 1883, took around three years, and as soon as you walk inside, your jaw drops in amazement. The church’s original high vaulted ceilings, marble floors and stairs with classic banisters have been preserved, while 43 ultra-modern rooms (including 15 suites, ranging from 20 to 39 m2) have been added. The rooms are surrounded by ecclesiastical details, such as original decorative brickwork, pillars, arched window frames, church windows and stained glass. And, importantly: blissful beds for a heavenly night’s sleep.

The Saint Food & Wine

The spacious restaurant, called The Saint, is located on the ground floor and cooks with local produce. The characteristic ecclesiastical details, such as arches, stained glass, alcoves and large arches, can also be found throughout the restaurant. It’s lovely to have a view of the open kitchen and the large bar, located in the middle of the transept church and surrounded by cosy seating areas with lots of velvet. The restaurant also has a separate private dining room.

French cuisine with a West Frisian twist

Under the direction of Hoorn-born chef Christian Hooiveld, who worked as chef at Brasserie van Baerle in Amsterdam, among other places, the kitchen follows the French tradition, but with a West Frisian twist. The menu is clear and offers plenty of choice, but not too much (which we consider a plus). There is also a daily menu for €39.50. Alongside West Frisian products, such as sourdough bread from Hoorn’s baker, the menu features dishes including brioche with poached egg and hollandaise, terrine de campagne with pistachio and cornichons, steak tartare and boeuf bourguignon.

The half lobster with fennel and pumpkin and orange ravioli is very tasty. A top combination! The cauliflower steak is also well seasoned. And of course we order a cocktail too, now that we don’t have to drive home.

High wine

The wines come from small wineries in France, Spain and Italy, and conveniently, the menu includes a wine suggestion for every dish. Another nice touch: every day from 15:00 to 17:00, there is a convivial ‘High Wine’. You get 4 glasses of wine with 4 matching small dishes for €37.50. (Just be sure to book in advance).

Breakfast with Hoornsche broeder

There are chocolates from the well-known Hoorn patisserie Spataro in the room, and for breakfast we enjoy the centuries-old delicacy Hoornsche broeder, a flat raisin bread with a rich filling of sugar and cinnamon.

Free parking

After breakfast, we take another walk through the old city centre. At the car park, we nearly faint when we see how much we have to pay for parking for an evening and night. It’s practically nothing, and yet another reason to go out for dinner and stay overnight outside the capital. Hoorn, you’re wonderful!