About us

Van der Valk Hotels & Restaurants is the largest hospitality group in the Netherlands. For over 150 years, generations of the Van der Valk family have worked together to build and grow our family business. With the opening of Van der Valk Hotel Hoorn, we are proud to celebrate our 93rd hotel. The hotel is managed by Tessa van der Valk.

Our Story

How It All Began

In 1862, Nicolaas van der Valk opened Café De Gouden Leeuw (The Golden Lion) in his farmhouse in Voorschoten. After his passing in 1902, his youngest son Martien bought the café from his mother in 1929. When the café had to be demolished due to road construction in 1939, Martien and his wife Rie built a new restaurant with eight hotel rooms next door. Their hard work, welcoming approach, and innovative mindset turned De Gouden Leeuw into a great success. This marked the beginning of multiple locations, built together with their eleven children in the post-war years.

Where We Are Now

Today, the grandchildren and great-grandchildren of Martien and Rie continue the legacy. The Van der Valk group now has 70 hotels in the Netherlands, 13 in Germany, 9 in Belgium, 3 in France, 1 in Spain, and 1 in Bonaire. Plans are in place for new, modern, multifunctional hotels, always with the guest’s comfort as our top priority.

Hospitality Is in Our DNA

The core of our success lies in the vision of Martien and Rie: warm hospitality with a personal touch. Their spirit lives on in the next generation, who follow in their footsteps with passion, adapting to modern times while never losing our traditional charm.

As a family business, hospitality is at the heart of everything we do, and sustainability flows through our veins. We are committed to safeguarding the future of our family-run hospitality company. This means not only focusing on today’s success, but also investing in long-term, sustainable practices, ensuring we can pass the business on to the next generation in the best way possible.

Our Sustainability Vision

All subsidiaries of Van der Valk International aim to operate sustainably in every part of the business. We seek balance and conscious choices between the three Ps: People, Planet, and Profit. We continuously evaluate if business decisions can be made healthier, more efficient, and less burdensome for people and the planet.

We have taken numerous steps within Van der Valk International to reduce waste, lower water usage, and cut down CO₂ emissions.

Our group-wide procurement is managed through Van der Valk Purchasing, covering both food and non-food products. By combining delivery moments, we reduce transportation emissions. We prioritize eco-friendly suppliers and have clear agreements in place regarding sustainable practices. Our logistics partner in the Netherlands, HAVI Logistics BV, received the Lean and Green Award in 2010 for its sustainable logistics approach.

We also:

• Separate and process waste responsibly at all hotels

• Employ local staff to support regional communities

• Offer internal e-learnings and training to promote employee development and sustainability awareness

• Encourage partnerships with local producers and incorporate regional products into our menus

Green Key Certification

All our Dutch hotels are Green Key certified, the leading international quality label for sustainable businesses in the tourism and hospitality sector.

To obtain this certification, businesses must meet strict environmental and CSR criteria. Measures include, for example, water-saving shower heads and taps. The Green Key comes in bronze, silver, and gold, the more additional measures taken, the higher the level.

Putting Guests at the Heart of Sustainability

Guests can trust that we prioritize sustainability without compromising comfort. From room design to the meals we serve, we strive for eco-conscious solutions. We also encourage guests to support our efforts, for instance, by reusing towels and bed linen during their stay. Multilingual information is provided in all rooms.

Human Resources & Employee Development

We aim to empower our staff with confidence and professional skills through on-the-job training and department-specific e-learnings. Our employees embody the values of our family business, and we help them grow, whether through upskilling, career transitions, or internal support during long-term absence.

At Van der Valk Vitaal in Tiel, employees can receive rehabilitation support across various aspects of recovery.

Energy & Climate Initiatives

Heat Pumps & Heat Recovery

Heat pumps extract energy from air, water, or the ground for highly efficient and low-emission heating. Our systems last at least 15 years and require minimal maintenance.

Heat recovery systems capture up to 95% of heat from extracted air and transfer it to fresh incoming air, reducing the need for additional heating—ideal for ventilation in restaurants, kitchens, event spaces, swimming pools, and gyms.

Solar Energy & Electric Vehicles

We utilize both solar panels and solar water heaters. Our in-house engineering firm, Techval, has extensive experience in solar energy solutions.

As electric vehicles become the norm, we support this transition by partnering with leading providers and offering convenient EV charging stations at our hotels.

LED Lighting

We have switched to LED lighting throughout our hotels. LEDs use less energy than conventional lights and offer a long lifespan, high efficiency, and minimal heat output.

Reducing CO₂ Emissions

CO₂ emissions, especially from fossil fuel combustion, contribute heavily to climate change. Since 2014, Van der Valk International has invested in reducing emissions, including:

• LED lighting

• Heat pumps and heat pump boilers

• Thermal energy storage (TES) at Hotel Hoorn

• Combined heat and power (CHP) systems at hotels in Zuidbroek, Amersfoort, Leusden, and Tiel

We also recover energy from kitchen exhaust air and heat water using solar power.

Some hotels use biogas, a renewable energy source generated from organic waste. This helps offset CO₂ emissions and supports a circular economy.

Green Roofs (Sedum Roofs)

Where possible, we install sedum vegetation roofs on our buildings. These roofs absorb fine particles, retain water, promote biodiversity, and reduce CO₂. They also offer better insulation and enhance the surrounding environment.

Giving Back: Our Charitable Partnerships

EET met je hart (“Dine with Your Heart”)

This foundation works to combat loneliness among elderly people by organizing meaningful social gatherings. Dining out means joy, togetherness, and shared moments—and we believe everyone deserves that experience.

Supported by:

• Hotel Nuland and Hotel Vught (’s-Hertogenbosch)

• Hotel Tiel (since 2017)
  www.eetmetjehart.nl
  Ambassadors: Toos van der Valk (since 2014), Elfi van der Valk (since 2017)

Stichting Petje Af

Despite being a developed country, the Netherlands still has children who face challenges early in life. Petje Af supports these children by offering weekend programs to discover their talents, gain confidence, and find a positive direction.

Active in Tiel since 2017
www.petjeaf.nl
Ambassador: Elfi van der Valk (since 2016)

You’re Welcome

Come and experience our renowned hospitality at Van der Valk Hotel Hoorn.
We look forward to welcoming you!