Hotel Berendonck: A five-star stay that starts in a bathrobe

As soon as you step into the lobby, you feel it: this is no ordinary hotel. Hotel Thermen Berendonck's design is characterised by warm earth tones, oriental patterns and soft gold accents. At the Berendonckse Plas in Wijchen, everything is about tranquillity, attention and a total experience. Following an earlier article on the hotel's construction, Hotelvak therefore returned for an extensive tour. We spoke to hotel manager Rodolf Weytingh and Robert van Ierlant, B2B manager at Auping, about the vision behind the hotel, the guest experience and the role of sleeping comfort in the total concept.

On 3 May, the hotel officially opened its doors. During a festive ceremony, general manager Fabian Dolman and the mayor of Wijchen, Renske Helmer-Englebert, performed the official opening ceremony. Hotel Thermen Berendonck has been developed as an extension of the wellness resort Thermen Berendonck (2019). Both are designed according to the enchanting 'Thousand and One Nights' theme, with Indian and oriental influences. "We wanted guests to retain and prolong the relaxed feeling from the Thermen in a nice way," says hotel manager Rodolf Weytingh. "Thanks to the hotel, you can dine in one of the two luxury restaurants, dream away in an Auping bed and have breakfast in your bathrobe - and then enjoy another day at the thermal baths. Accessible via the unique tunnel."

A vision that revolves around guest experience

Weytingh started his career at Thermen Berendonck, right in the middle of the wellness resort. "To really connect with wellness as a hotel manager, I first had to experience it myself. For a year, I completely immersed myself in the wellness profession." That approach fits perfectly with the vision of the Dolman family, owner and founder of Thermen Resorts, which previously successfully combined Thermen Bussloo with a hotel. "In Wijchen, we initially only had a licence for the wellness area; that's why the hotel was added later. But the ambition for a five-star experience was there from the start. What works in Bussloo - a total experience including overnight stay - we wanted to roll out even more refined here."

What stands out at the hotel is the consistency in experience. Guests are welcomed not just with a room, but with a complete package - usually with dinner and always including access to the spa. They get slippers in their size, a bathrobe is at the ready, and those who want can participate in one of the retreats or workshops offered daily: such as singing bowl meditations, family constellations or yoga sessions.

Sleep comfort as the foundation of luxury

In that overall experience, sleep comfort plays a starring role. "We didn't want to compromise on the quality of sleep," says Weytingh. "When our guests are in their hotel room, they spend most of their time on or in bed: sleeping, reading, relaxing." The choice of Auping came about after an intensive selection process, where experiences at sister venue Thermen Bussloo weighed in. "There, we got such enthusiastic reactions to the beds, that guests asked where they could buy them themselves."

Van Ierlant: "For us, this project was a prestige assignment and a wake-up call: we don't deliver a bed, but a complete sleeping experience. We are able to customise more and more, and this is also increasingly demanded by the hospitality industry. Hotels want to distinguish themselves. This challenges us to keep innovating and developing." Customisation ranges from quite simple - such as adjusting the height of the legs - to very challenging. "We received the complete set-up through the interior designer, with a custom headboard and fabric with silver sheen.

We custom developed that, including the line lighting under the bed - a first." To attach these light lines, special clips were 3D-printed at the Auping factory. "It is challenging to realise a project like this, often under time pressure, but we won't settle for less than 100 per cent quality."

All 103 rooms are spacious, with plenty of light and air. Even the standard rooms accommodate a super king-size bed. "Luxury is not just in marble or other luxurious materials," says Weytingh, "but in space, tranquillity and careful choices." The Auping Kiruna, the flagship box-spring bed, was chosen. These feature handmade toppers filled with wool. They are very light, which makes it easier to make the beds. All beds are at least two metres wide, but the bed in the most luxurious 180 sq m Maharajah suite measures as much as 2.20 by 2.20 metres. "Comfort is personal," says Van Ierlant, "but quality is universal. And you can see that in the choices made here."

Of course, the hotel offers more than an overnight stay: a wine gallery, hotel spa, gym, retreats, casual dining at Numa or fine dining at Sapna. "Sapna means dream," explains Weytingh. "The restaurant is led by a chef with high-level experience. Guests can come here even without a hotel stay." Even the smell adds to the experience: throughout the hotel, it smells subtly of 'Jadu', a fragrance developed especially for the hotel that means 'magic' in Sanskrit. An eye-catcher in the hotel is the unique tunnel connecting the hotel to the thermal baths. This tunnel depicts seven chakras with showcases full of crystals, symbolism and atmospheric lighting. "We have learned from Thermen Bussloo, but here we have taken an extra step," says Weytingh.

Atmospheric spaces and subtle details

What further makes Hotel Thermen Berendonck special is the connection between atmosphere, comfort and personal service. Striking and homely detail: guests can have breakfast in bathrobes. "That reinforces that feeling of total relaxation. You don't have to be in a straightjacket anywhere. Here you are allowed to be as you are." This principle also extends to the staff. "We train our staff on etiquette and appearance, but also give them space to stay close to themselves," says Weytingh. "We challenge them to speak German to German guests, walk along instead of pointing and always try to take that extra step."

Sleep essential in overall concept

Weytingh advises fellow hoteliers to take sleeping comfort as a starting point, not as a closing item. "You can make such beautiful rooms, but if the guest doesn't sleep well, that will stick." Van Ierlant concurs. "Whether it's luxury hotels or student accommodation: we offer peace, quality and a good night's sleep everywhere. Hotel Thermen Berendonck shows how powerful that is when it is part of a well thought-out, guest-oriented overall concept."  

Hotel manager Rodolf Weytingh speaks out On favourite places, surprises and lessons in leadership

"One of my favourite places in the hotel is without a doubt the gym on the first floor," says hotel manager Rodolf Weytingh. "Not tucked away in a dark basement, but bright, spacious and modern - with top-quality luxury equipment. This is exactly what we stand for: comfort, quality and experience, down to every detail."

The road to the official opening had its share of surprises. "What touched me most was the huge involvement from our other branches. Colleagues from all over the country came to help. You are really overtaken by time during a process like this - everything goes at lightning speed - and just then you see how proud and connected the team is." 'Moving in', the process of furnishing all the rooms and spaces, proved to be another team-building moment of stature. "Everyone rolled up their sleeves, even outside their comfort zone. It was as if magic was in the air: exactly in the two weeks we did this, not a drop of rain fell."

Still, not everything was self-evident. "The continuous flow of changes and daily adjustments is something you have to prepare your team well for. For some, that can be overwhelming."

Experiences from previous positions helped him. "In the recruitment process, I deliberately looked for people with flexibility and stress resistance. I also paid a lot of attention to communication. By continuously informing colleagues about changes, you create peace and trust. And yes, also moving in together: that remains a powerful ritual for me to forge a team."