You’re driving through the Veluwe, and suddenly, the trees open up. You aren't just in the woods anymore. You've reached NH Veluwe Sparrenhorst Nunspeet Netherlands, a place that honestly feels like it was designed by someone who really, truly loved the forest but didn't want to give up their espresso machine or high-speed Wi-Fi. It’s a weirdly perfect balance.
Most people heading to the Veluwe think they have to choose between a rustic, slightly damp cabin or a stiff, corporate hotel in a nearby city like Apeldoorn. Sparrenhorst is the middle ground. It is located right on the edge of the Belvedere forest, which means you can literally walk out the front door and be surrounded by Scots pines and oak trees in about thirty seconds. No joke.
What is the deal with the architecture at NH Veluwe Sparrenhorst?
When you first see the building, it doesn’t look like a standard NH Hotel. It has this theater-inspired design. The architect, Pierre Cuypers’ firm (the same legacy behind the Rijksmuseum, though obviously a modern iteration here), wanted to blend the structure into the landscape. They used a lot of wood and glass. It works.
The lobby is huge. It feels airy. You don’t get that cramped "business hotel" vibe where the ceiling is three inches from your head. Instead, you get these massive windows that remind you exactly where you are: the heart of the Netherlands' most famous nature reserve.
Staying in the woods without the bugs
The rooms are... well, they’re NH rooms. If you’ve stayed in an NH before, you know what to expect. They are clean. They are functional. They have those really specific, slightly firm mattresses that people either love or complain about on TripAdvisor. But at NH Veluwe Sparrenhorst Nunspeet Netherlands, the "Standard" rooms are actually quite spacious compared to what you’d find in Amsterdam or Utrecht.
If you can, try to snag a room on a higher floor facing the woods. Waking up to the mist rolling off the Veluwe is a core memory kind of experience. Honestly, it beats staring at a parking lot any day of the week.
✨ Don't miss: Omaha to Las Vegas: How to Pull Off the Trip Without Overpaying or Losing Your Mind
The Nunspeet location: Why it actually matters
Nunspeet is kind of the "quiet kid" of the Veluwe. It isn't as flashy as Arnhem or as tourist-heavy as Otterlo (where the Kröller-Müller Museum lives). But that’s the secret. You are positioned perfectly between the Veluwemeer—a massive lake perfect for windsurfing or just staring at the water—and the dense forest.
- You’ve got the Zandenplas nearby. It’s a forest pool with a beach. In the summer, it's packed with locals, but in the off-season, it’s hauntingly beautiful for a walk.
- The Nunspeet Golf & Country Club is right there. Even if you don't play, the grounds are worth seeing.
- The town center is a short walk away. It’s cute. It has a few bakeries that smell like cinnamon and butter, and it gives you a break from "hotel life."
Food, drink, and the "Oaks" experience
Let’s talk about Restaurant Ovelgonne and the Grand Café. Hotel food can be a gamble. Sometimes it's a sad club sandwich, and sometimes it's a culinary revelation. Sparrenhorst leans toward the "reliable and seasonal" side. Because it's the Veluwe, they lean heavily into game meat during the autumn. Think wild boar or venison, usually sourced locally.
The breakfast buffet is the real winner, though. They do the whole Dutch spread—hagelslag (chocolate sprinkles for breakfast, because the Dutch are geniuses), fresh breads, and eggs made to order. It’s the kind of fuel you need if you’re planning to cycle 40 kilometers through the heather.
Wellness and the "hidden" pool
There is a wellness center. It isn't a sprawling 5-star spa that takes up half the building, but it has a sauna and a decent indoor pool. After a day of hiking in the rain—which, let's be honest, happens a lot in the Netherlands—getting into a heated pool is basically a necessity. It’s located in the basement area, which feels a bit like a secret bunker, but a very relaxing one.
Is it actually good for business?
NH Hotels are known for meetings, and this one is no different. They have about 13 meeting rooms. But unlike a windowless basement in a city center, these have natural light. I’ve seen companies do "forest bathing" retreats here. It’s hard to stay stressed about a spreadsheet when there’s a squirrel staring at you through the window.
🔗 Read more: North Shore Shrimp Trucks: Why Some Are Worth the Hour Drive and Others Aren't
The Wi-Fi is solid. That’s a small detail, but in the middle of a forest, it’s a big deal. You can actually get work done here without your Zoom call dropping every five minutes.
The reality of the Veluwe experience
Let's get real for a second. The Veluwe is the largest forested area in the Netherlands, but it's also highly managed. You’re not in the Siberian wilderness. You will see other people. You will see bikers in spandex. But NH Veluwe Sparrenhorst Nunspeet Netherlands gives you the best chance to find those quiet pockets.
The hotel sits near the "Hulshorster Zand." This is a massive sand drift area. It looks like a desert dropped into the middle of a forest. It’s surreal. If you go at sunrise, you might actually spot a red deer or a mouflon (a fancy wild sheep). Just don't expect them to pose for your Instagram.
Getting there without a car
A lot of people think you need a car to explore the Veluwe. You don't. Nunspeet has a train station. From the station, it’s about a 15-minute walk to the hotel. Or you can rent a "OV-fiets" (public transport bike) at the station and be there in five minutes. The Netherlands makes it almost too easy to be car-free.
What people get wrong about this area
People often think the Veluwe is just one big park. It’s actually a collection of different landscapes. You have the National Park De Hoge Veluwe (which requires an entrance fee), but you also have vast tracts of free-to-access forest like the one surrounding the Sparrenhorst.
💡 You might also like: Minneapolis Institute of Art: What Most People Get Wrong
Staying here means you don't necessarily have to pay the €12+ entrance fee for the main national park every day. You have the "free" Veluwe right in your backyard. That's a huge plus if you're staying for more than a night or two.
Sustainability and the forest
NH has been pushing their "Green Key" certification hard. At Sparrenhorst, they use LED lighting, water-saving systems, and they try to minimize food waste. It feels right. You can't really run a hotel in the middle of a forest and be a polluter without looking like a villain. They seem to take it seriously, which adds a layer of comfort for the eco-conscious traveler.
Practical tips for your stay
If you're heading to NH Veluwe Sparrenhorst Nunspeet Netherlands, do these three things:
- Rent a bike at the hotel. Don't bring yours unless you have a death wish for your car’s bike rack. The hotel bikes are well-maintained and perfect for the local terrain.
- Check the "Wildkansels." These are wildlife observation posts. Ask the front desk where the nearest active one is. They usually know where the deer have been spotted lately.
- Visit Elburg. It's a nearby medieval fishing town about 15 minutes away by car. It’s incredibly preserved and offers a completely different vibe from the forest.
The beauty of this specific spot in the Netherlands is the lack of pretension. It’s not trying to be a ultra-luxury boutique hotel where you’re afraid to touch the furniture. It’s a place where you wear your hiking boots to the lobby, eat a really good dinner, and sleep in total silence because there are no highways nearby.
Actionable Next Steps
- Book your stay at least three weeks in advance if you're planning a weekend trip; the Veluwe is a massive draw for domestic Dutch tourists, and Saturdays sell out fast.
- Download the "Route.nl" app before you arrive. It has pre-mapped cycling and walking paths that start and end right at the Sparrenhorst entrance.
- Pack layers. The Veluwe has its own microclimate. It can be five degrees cooler under the canopy than in the open fields.
- Visit the Veluwetransferium Nunspeet. It's right by the station and has a 30-meter high lookout tower. It’s the best way to get your bearings and see the scale of the forest you’re about to explore.
By choosing Nunspeet over the busier southern Veluwe, you're opting for a more authentic, slightly rugged experience. The NH Sparrenhorst serves as the perfect base camp for that—comfortable enough to feel like a vacation, but close enough to the dirt and pine needles to feel like an adventure.