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Forbes
18-07-2025
- Forbes
3 Epic Hotels In The Netherlands For 2025
Château St. Gerlach Oostwegel Collection T he Netherlands is a country of captivating contrasts—where endless tulip fields ripple in the breeze, centuries-old windmills turn lazily against the horizon, and sleek modern cities loom like gentle giants beside medieval town centers. Its iconic capital, Amsterdam , is a city shaped by water—with a UNESCO-listed canal belt lined with whimsical gingerbread gables, arched stone bridges, and charming floating houseboats (best admired from a candlelit cruise). Art lovers flock to the world-renowned Van Gogh Museum, while the Anne Frank House offers a deeply poignant window into the harrowing trauma of the holocaust. But the Netherlands is far more than just Amsterdam—venture a little further south and you'll uncover Maastricht —a city nestled near the Belgian and German borders, at a rich cultural crossroads of Roman ruins, Gothic churches, and candlelit squares like the Vrijthof. Explore the Maastricht Underground, a mysterious labyrinth of caves and tunnels, or browse books beneath soaring vaulted ceilings at Boekhandel Dominicanen , a bookstore housed in a 700-year-old church. So, whether you're surfing through indie boutiques in Amsterdam's artsy Jordaan district or sipping wine beneath the majestic spires of Maastricht's St. Servatius —here are our handpicked pillow stops along the way. Pillows Maurits at the Park Pillows Hotels Nestled within a former university dissection lab on the edge of Amsterdam's leafy Oosterpark, dating back to 1908, Pillows Grand Boutique Hotel Maurits At The Park is an elegant boutique hotel where chic flair meets industrial minimalism—think glazed brick corridors and curated Dutch art, including works by Raphaël Hermans and even a discreet Picasso in its Fitz's Bar . Its crown jewel? The Pillows Grand Suite . Spanning over 700 square feet, this light-drenched cavern houses a signature Pillows king-sized bed, a sweeping kitchenette, and a private lounge area overlooking the park; adorned with a baby grand. Its marble-clad ensuite, however, is a spa-like retreat, with a deep soaking tub, double rainfall shower, and soft fluffy robes to wrap yourself up in. You'll also receive little perks like valet parking and complimentary access to its private sauna. Forbes How To Spend The Perfect Weekend In Guernsey By Lewis Nunn Once settled, descend to VanOost Restaurant , cocooned in the former anatomy hall, anchored by an open kitchen helmed by rising-star chef F loris van Straalen . Expect a seasonal tasting menu with standout dishes like Indonesian Langoustine and Anjou Pigeon Rossini —served under trusses that once held cadavers. Don't skip the cheese trolley or the wine pairing, sourced from European vineyards like Zind-Humbrecht and Van Volxem ( Pillows Grand Suite from $1,740 per night). 2. Kruisherenhotel Maastricht Location: Maastricht Kruisherensuite Oostwegel Collection / Laura Knipsael Photography Once a 15th-century Gothic church and Kruisheren monastery of the 'Crutched Friars,' Kruisherenhotel Maastricht is an uber-stylish bolthole, nestled in the heart of Maastricht's historic city center. Up until 1797, it was the home of monks, before serving as military barracks during the French Revolution—and later as the site of the National Agricultural Research Station . Today, as a proud member of Design Hotels, a collection of over 300 independent hotels rooted in design, locality, and culture—its artistic flair is present throughout—think quirky pop art, stained glass windows, original frescoes and stone masonry, and fine furnishings by Philippe Starck and Le Corbusier. Read More: Forbes The Ultimate Guide To South Africa Cruises By Lewis Nunn Its Kruisherensuite , however, is chic and minimalistic—sitting in the former monastery—set across 700 square feet, boasting beautiful stained glass windows, Cardinal tones, an Auping custom-made bed, and a lavish ensuite dressed with a whirlpool and double rainfall shower. Once you're settled into the suite life , saunter down to its French-inspired 'court of fine dining'—Spencer's. With grand original frescoes to gaze upon, you'll feast on a 5-course Chef's Menu , with dishes like fine cured salmon, shellfish from the North Sea, and slow-cooked veal chuck—complete with fluffy yogurt mousse and a gorgeous cheese board. Be sure to opt for its 4-course wine pairing too ( Kruisherensuite from $490 per night). 3. Château St. Gerlach Location: Valkenburg Château St. Gerlach Oostwegel Collection Set within the rolling hills of Geul Valley, Château St. Gerlach is a storybook estate where baroque grandeur meets pastoral serenity. Once a 12th-century monastery, this Relais & Châteaux jewel has been exquisitely restored into a sumptuous countryside retreat—surrounded by lush vineyards, aromatic herb gardens, blooming rose beds, and a charming church adorned with 18th-century frescoes—where sculptures grace the manicured gardens and wild horses roam the nearby Ingendael nature reserve. Read More: Forbes The Ultimate Guide To Croatia Island Hopping By Lewis Nunn Inside, you'll find interiors blending classic elegance with contemporary comfort—think vaulted ceilings, antique heirlooms, and 114 individually styled suites and apartments—housed in former grain lofts and farmsteads. Beneath the Château's ancient stone arches lies Spa & Wellness St. Gerlach —a Roman-inspired sanctuary housing a serene 14-metre indoor pool, a traditional Turkish hammam, and soothing sauna, with treatments ranging from Sothys facials to aromatherapy massages. Gastronomy is a centerpiece too: at Les Salons , in the former living quarters of the last aristocratic resident, Baron de Selys de Fanson , estate-sourced dishes are served beneath gilded ceilings and glittering crystal chandeliers—like sea bass filet, Dutch Yellowtail Kingfish, wild garlic panna cotta, and Limburg mozzarella flan. Burgemeester Quicx , however, offers a more relaxed affair, serving artisanal coffee and light bites—think farmer's cheese and Limburgse vlaai —in a chic farmhouse setting. Read More: Forbes How To Spend The Perfect Weekend In Guernsey By Lewis Nunn Forbes The Ultimate Guide To South Africa Cruises By Lewis Nunn Forbes The Ultimate Guide To Croatia Island Hopping By Lewis Nunn Forbes Is This The World's Most Expensive Cruise? By Lewis Nunn Forbes An Insider's Guide To The Ned, London By Lewis Nunn Forbes An Insider's Guide To Carden Park Hotel, Golf Resort & Spa By Lewis Nunn
Malay Mail
11-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Malay Mail
AI-powered tour brings Anne Frank's story to life in Amsterdam
AMSTERDAM, July 11 — Every day, young Anne Frank and her sister Margot walked 2.5 kilometres to school, as Nazi anti-Jewish laws barred them from using public transport or bicycles. In 2025, using Artificial Intelligence, a new immersive guided tour traces the route of this Amsterdam icon through the city, offering an interactive smartphone reconstruction of the Dutch Jewish experience under Nazi occupation. 'We created this product to bring Anne Frank closer to more people,' said Moti Erdeapel, director of CityFans, the tourism-tech firm behind the project. 'The Anne Frank House, the museum, is a very small place and it has limited capacity, so a lot of people come here and get disappointed because they didn't get to visit Anne Frank,' he said. Each year, more than one million tourists visit the narrow house and annex where the Jewish girl and her family hid from the Nazis for two years. To visit the place where Anne Frank wrote her famous diary, visitors must book six weeks in advance. Tickets sell out fast. All that is required for the virtual tour is a mobile phone and a pair of headphones. A unique code grants access to a seven-kilometre (four-mile), 12-stop route. An audio narrative guides the visitor, along with lifelike animations generated by AI using data from the Anne Frank Institute, the city of Amsterdam and the Holocaust museum. 'Incredible people' 'We tried to dig up stories that maybe most people don't really know but are incredible, people that really risked their lives to save children and to smuggle them out of the Nazis' hands into hiding,' Erdeapel said. One stop features the former home of Miep Gies, the Dutch Catholic who helped hide the Frank family. Her face is brought to life using archive photographs and digital animation. In the De Pijp district, the tour reveals that a coffeeshop now occupies the site of the former Koco ice cream parlour. Run by German-Jewish refugees, the shop helped spark the only protest in Amsterdam against Nazi persecution of Jews — a demonstration that was violently crushed. 'One of the things that make it close to heart is not only that it's such an important story for Amsterdam, but also for me personally, coming from a family of Holocaust survivors,' said Erdeapel, who is of Polish and Hungarian Jewish descent. 'My grandparents survived the Holocaust, a lot of the family members did, and I grew up with these stories about the Holocaust and about people that didn't make it back,' said the 45-year-old Amsterdam resident. Though he stresses the importance of museums and the diary, Erdeapel sees this guided tour as a way to tell Anne Frank's story to a new, tech-savvy generation. 'It's really important that we do good research and we work on storytelling and there's a human aspect to the creation,' he said. 'If you have a deep process to develop this product, I think AI is just going to make things more beautiful and exciting and immersive for everyone.' Around 107,000 Dutch Jews and refugees were deported during World War II. Of these, 102,000 — including Anne Frank — were killed, roughly 75 per cent of the pre-war Jewish population. — AFP
Daily Mirror
09-07-2025
- Daily Mirror
Family booted off easyJet plane as flight cancelled moments before take off
Emma Drummond, from Musselburgh, has told how her family were suddenly taken off an easyJet flight to Amsterdam with everyone on board due to the crew's "operating hours" A family has told how they were all ready to leave on holiday onboard an EasyJet flight when suddenly it was cancelled leaving their son, 12, hugely disappointed. Emma Drummond, her partner and their boy, were due to fly to Amsterdam on Sunday evening, July 6, but after boarding the plane, they were instructed to get off with their flight then cancelled. While they've been refunded for the flight, Emma and her family have now lost out on their holiday as well as the money spent on their non-refundable hotel in Amsterdam and tickets for the Anne Frank House. EasyJet said the last minute cancellation was due to "air Traffic Control restrictions as a result of adverse weather conditions" which resulted in the crew "reaching their legally regulated operating hours". The Drummond family, from Musselburgh, East Lothian, would have had to fork out over £400 on other flights to make their holiday happen, and would have been left with only one full day - so were forced to cancel the whole trip. Emma says she's 'spent so much money to see her 12-year-old disappointed'. She told EdinburghLive: "We were booked in to the 6.30pm flight to Amsterdam on July 6. "We boarded the flight, but were then told to disembark 20 minutes later. Now we have lost of hotel money and tickets we booked for Anne Frank's house, which I can't get refunded on. "We were only going for four days, so now the whole thing has been cancelled. We couldn't move our flight, we were only being offered a refund or vouchers. "We did check for any other available flights however it would have cost us another £143 each (there was 3 of us so £429) and we wouldn't arrive until 10pm on Monday. Which still means our Anne Frank tickets have gone to waste. "Also we're due to fly home Wednesday, so would have one full day. That's only on the assumption the flight then would have left with no issues. "Hotel messaged at 7am and cancelled our room as we hadn't checked in. So we would also need to find another room at my own cost on top of all the flight stuff. It's just cost me so much money to see my 12-year-old so disappointed." An easyJet spokesperson told The Mirror: 'Flight EZY3303 from Edinburgh to Amsterdam on 6 July was unable to operate due to Air Traffic Control restrictions in place a result of adverse weather conditions, which led to the crew reaching their safety regulated operating hours. 'The safety and wellbeing of our customers and crew is our highest priority and we did all we could to minimise the impact of the weather disruption, providing options to rebook for free or receive refund. 'We have already refunded the Drummond family and have been in touch to offer further assistance, including providing the documentation needed to make a claim with their insurance provider. While this was outside of our control, we are sorry for the inconvenience caused.'
Daily Record
08-07-2025
- Daily Record
Easyjet boot family off plane as flight cancelled at last minute
The Drummonds had already boarded their flight but were asked to disembark just 20 minutes later. A Scots family have spoken of their disappointment after being taken off an EasyJet flight moments before their much anticipated summer holiday. Emma Drummond, her partner and 12-year-old son, were due to fly to Amsterdam on Sunday evening, July 6. After boarding the plane, they were instructed to get off with their flight then cancelled, reports Edinburgh Live. While they've been refunded for the flight, Emma and her family have now lost out on their holiday as well as the money spent on their non-refundable hotel in Amsterdam and tickets for the Anne Frank House. EasyJet have explained the last minute cancellation as being due to "Air Traffic Control restrictions as a result of adverse weather conditions" which resulted in the crew "reaching their legally regulated operating hours". The Drummond family, from Musselburgh, would have had to fork out over £400 on other flights to make their holiday happen, and would have been left with only one full day - so were forced to cancel the whole trip. Emma says she's 'spent so much money to see her 12-year-old disappointed'. Emma said: "We were booked in to the 6.30pm flight to Amsterdam on July 6. "We boarded the flight, but were then told to disembark 20 minutes later. Now we have lost of hotel money and tickets we booked for Anne Frank's house, which I can't get refunded on. "We were only going for four days, so now the whole thing has been cancelled. We couldn't move our flight, we were only being offered a refund or vouchers. "We did check for any other available flights however it would have cost us another £143 each (there was 3 of us so £429) and we wouldn't arrive until 10pm on Monday. Which still means our Anne Frank tickets have gone to waste. "Also we're due to fly home Wednesday, so would have one full day. That's only on the assumption the flight then would have left with no issues. "Hotel messaged at 7am and cancelled our room as we hadn't checked in. So we would also need to find another room at my own cost on top of all the flight stuff. "It's just cost me so much money to see my 12-year-old so disappointed." An EasyJet spokesperson said: "Flight EZY3303 from Edinburgh to Amsterdam on 6 July was cancelled due to Air Traffic Control restrictions as a result of adverse weather conditions, which resulted in the crew reaching their legally regulated operating hours. "We did all we could to minimise the impact of the weather disruption on our customers, providing options to rebook or obtain a refund, and have processed a refund for the Drummond family as requested. "We will be reaching out to the Drummond family to offer support, including providing the documentation needed to make a claim with their insurance provider. The safety and wellbeing of our customers and crew is easyJet's highest priority and while this was outside of our control, we are sorry for the inconvenience caused."
Edinburgh Live
07-07-2025
- Edinburgh Live
East Lothian family 'taken off plane' as EasyJet apologise for last minute cancellation
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info An East Lothian family have spoken of their dissapointment after being taken off an EasyJet flight moments before their long-awaited summer holiday. Emma Drummond, along with her partner and 12-year-old son, were due to fly to Amsterdam on Sunday evening. After boarding the plane, they were instructed to get off with their flight then cancelled. While they've been refunded for the flight, Emma and her family have now lost out on their holiday as well as the money spent on their hotel in Amsterdam and the ticket price for the Anne Frank House - both of which were not refundable. EasyJet have explained the last minute cancellation, telling Edinburgh Live that it was down to "Air Traffic Control restrictions as a result of adverse weather conditions" which resulted in the crew "reaching their legally regulated operating hours". The Drummond family, from Musselburgh, would have had to spend over £400 on any other available flights to make their holiday happen, and would have been left with only one full day - so decided to cancel the whole trip. Emma says she's 'spent so much money to see her 12-year-old disappointed'. Speaking to Edinburgh Live, Emma said: "We were booked in to the 6.30pm flight to Amsterdam on July 6. "We boarded the flight, but were then told to disembark 20 minutes later. Now we have lost of hotel money and tickets we booked for Anne Frank's house, which I can't get refunded on. Sign up for Edinburgh Live newsletters for more headlines straight to your inbox "We were only going for four days, so now the whole thing has been cancelled. We couldn't move our flight, we were only being offered a refund or vouchers. "We did check for any other available flights however it would have cost us another £143 each (there was 3 of us so £429) and we wouldn't arrive until 10pm on Monday. Which still means our Anne Frank tickets have gone to waste. "Also we're due to fly home Wednesday, so would have one full day. That's only on the assumption the flight then would have left with no issues. "Hotel messaged at 7am and cancelled our room as we hadn't checked in. So we would also need to find another room at my own cost on top of all the flight stuff. Join Edinburgh Live's Whatsapp Community here and get the latest news sent straight to your messages. "It's just cost me so much money to see my 12-year-old so disappointed." An EasyJet spokesperson said: "Flight EZY3303 from Edinburgh to Amsterdam on 6 July was cancelled due to Air Traffic Control restrictions as a result of adverse weather conditions, which resulted in the crew reaching their legally regulated operating hours. "We did all we could to minimise the impact of the weather disruption on our customers, providing options to rebook or obtain a refund, and have processed a refund for the Drummond family as requested. "We will be reaching out to the Drummond family to offer support, including providing the documentation needed to make a claim with their insurance provider. The safety and wellbeing of our customers and crew is easyJet's highest priority and while this was outside of our control, we are sorry for the inconvenience caused."
