Maastricht hotel with French exterior and snug interior
Hotel Monastere / Maastricht / Limburg / Netherlands
Maastricht, located in the south east corner of the Netherlands, right on the border to Belgium and Germany, is one of those hidden gems. To most this is an unexplored town that has so much to offer. It is built around the river Maas and is a very different Dutch town considering there is only one big river and not an array of canals crisscrossing the centre of town. This region is called Limburg and is (according to the Dutch) the most relaxed part of the Netherlands where people are skilled in the art of enjoying life to the full.
Hotel Monastere is situated in an old monastery (maybe not so surprising considering the name) in downtown Maastricht, right next to Markt, the main square. This building dates back to the 14th century but trust me when I say that there is nothing old and dated about this place. It is one of those hotels that looks totally different on the outside compared to the inside. The exterior is classic Central European with wrought iron balconies and massive windows with wooden shutters, looking more French than Dutch. The interior on the other hand is really modern, full of contemporary art, light fixtures, designer furniture and statement design pieces.
Our room was fairly small but very bright thanks to all the light coming in through the massive windows. The color tone was subtle and the soft fitted carpets helped to increase the snugness level. Basically, a calm retreat to come back to after exploring the city.
The exterior of Hotel Monastere gives me a French vibe with the ornate balcony and the wooden window shutters.
Many of the original details have been preserved, like the tiled floors and the windows above the doors.
Our room with the William Morris inspired head board and subtle color choices.
The bathroom had the same color scheme as the rest of the hotel, a very discreet and clean look.
Fitted carpets helps to create a homey, cosy feel in any hotel room. And you’ve gotta love those ceiling mouldings.
I love bold mix of textures and materials like in the staircase leading up to our room. Raw metal, exposed brick and contemporary lamps.
Me ready to leave the hotel and explore the city of Maastricht.
One of my favorite places in Masstricht is Lumière Cinema, restaurant and café.
A short drive from Maastricht you’ll find the Drielandenpunt, where the borders of Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands meet.
This is also where you’ll find the highest point of the Netherlands. An impressive 322,5 meters above sea level.
In this area there are some great trails for hiking. Here is M stretching out his legs.
RG inside info
This place is perfect if you…
…have been to the main cities in this area like Amsterdam, Brussels, Antwerp and Rotterdam and you are looking for a new town, perfect for a city weekend. If you like your cities mid-size and your hotels to be cozy, affable and welcoming, than this could be a good place for you.
My favorite thing about this place…
…is the exterior. I love this kind of architecture that reminds me of Paris or New Orleans with the wrought iron balconies and the massive window shutters. I am happy to see that this exterior has been kept as is while the interior has gone through a total and more modern looking make over.
What not to miss when staying here is…
…cross the river to the other side. Monastere is located on the downtown side but on there other side you’ll find more of the unique shops and some really cute cafés and good restaurants.
If you like this hotel you might also like…
Mother Goose, Utrecht, Netherlands
Supernova, Rotterdam, Netherlands
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