Blooming Hotel: The Design-Led Dune Escape that Truly Understands Families
The Lowdown
Tucked amongst the forested dunes on the edge of Bergen, arguably one of the Netherlands’ chicest coastal towns, Blooming Hotel offers immediate immersion in nature, despite being less than an hour’s drive from Amsterdam.
The beach, spectacular dune landscape and Bergen’s charming boutiques, cafés and galleries are all on the doorstep, yet what sets Blooming Hotel apart is how effortlessly it balances style with family-friendly hospitality. Delightful family rooms, complete with bunk beds and dedicated children's spaces, sit alongside stylish interiors and an excellent restaurant. Everything from the indoor swimming pool to the adventure playground feels beautifully integrated into the overall experience.
The Vibe
The kind of place where families with young children are fully embraced, but don't expect soft play and endless chicken nuggets. Here, the children's menu includes an amuse-bouche, outdoor adventuring is encouraged and stylish wellington boots are provided for the whole family. Of course.
Where are we Eating?
If we're being honest, the most anticipated part of any hotel stay isn't the cocktails at the bar (ok pre-children perhaps), it's the morning breakfast buffet. Thankfully, Blooming doesn't disappoint. This is the kind of spread where the generous bowls of fresh fruit genuinely taste like fruit, a whole hot-smoked salmon takes pride of place and the bread and pastry display is enough to tempt even the most carb-conscious amongst us.
After a day exploring the coast, you'll likely find yourselves gravitating back to the hotel — and for good reason. At Restaurant Zandhoeve, seasonal ingredients, many sourced from the hotel's own organic vegetable garden, shape the menu. The children's offering receives just as much love. After all, any hotel that serves an amuse-bouche to its youngest guests is clearly taking family dining rather seriously.
Should a little extra encouragement be required to keep everyone happily seated, there is one final trump card. Dessert involves a trip behind the scenes into the chef's kitchen, where children are invited to create their own ice cream masterpiece, complete with toppings and miniature chef's hats. Quite possibly the highlight of the entire holiday.
Where are we Sleeping?
What is it about the humble bunk bed that inspires such unprecedented levels of childhood excitement? Whatever the answer, Blooming Hotel has wisely embraced it.
The clean design of the family rooms perfectly balance style and practicality. At one end sits the main double bed, whilst at the other children are treated to a little corner of their own, complete with bunk beds, a desk, colouring pens and soft poufs for lounging.
The space feels intentionally designed around the reality of family travel — because let’s face it after a full day of togetherness, everyone appreciates having their own corner to retreat to.
Play & Explore
Step outside the hotel doors and you're immediately immersed in Bergen's magical dune forest — arguably one giant natural playground. Winding paths, leafy trails and endless opportunities for exploration await around every corner. For those craving something a little more structured, there's also a fantastic nature playground tucked just behind the hotel's terrace.
Of course, the real reason most families come to Bergen is for the beach. And with good reason. Bergen aan Zee boasts one of the most beautiful stretches of coastline in the Netherlands: wide sandy beaches, dramatic dunes and refreshingly little development. But half the fun lies in getting there. Bikes, including bakfietsen, can be hired directly through the hotel and the cycle ride to the coast takes you through some of the country's most spectacular dune landscapes. Surrounded by towering dunes and remarkable stillness, it feels almost meditative — even the children seem to fall under the spell of the scenery.
Then, inevitably, the beach takes over. Wide sandy shores, endless space to run and splash in the surf, and enough sandcastle-building potential to keep everyone occupied for hours.
Worth the Hype?
Stylish without being stuffy, family-friendly without feeling overly child-centric, Blooming Hotel gets an awful lot right - including it’s spectacular location. Proof that family-friendly and design-conscious need not be mutually exclusive.
