De Herberg van Smallingerland is ready for the future with son Jurmen and a revamped concept

13-3-2026

Freddy Bult and Aukje Westerhof have been at the helm of the De Herberg van Smallingerland since 1995. After 31 years, a new chapter is beginning now that their son Jurmen has officially become a co-owner. Jurmen has gained experience at top establishments such as Landgoed Lauswolt and Kaatje bij de Sluis. With the arrival of son Jurmen Bult as a partner and chef, the future of the family business in the historic listed building dating from 1791 is firmly secured. In addition, the restaurant is introducing a more accessible format, offering à la carte dining alongside the tasting menu.

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Villa Kakelbont | Old hospitality legend returns to Rotterdam

10-3-2026

You walk in and it feels as if time has stood still. This month, hospitality legend Villa Kakelbont made its comeback in the centre of Rotterdam, on Halvemaanpassage behind the Meent. Once the café of the Oude Haven, now a new place: a warm living room for the city. With a vintage interior, board games and pub classics on the menu, you’ll soon find yourself staying the whole evening.

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RHUM FEST PARIS | An edition celebrating the spirit of Carnival in April

10-3-2026

RHUM FEST PARIS returns on April 18, 19 and 20, 2026 at the Parc Floral de Paris with an edition celebrating the spirit of Carnival. A symbol of joy and sharing, Carnival serves as one of the cultural bridges between Europe and many rum- and cachaça-producing territories : French Guiana, Trinidad and Tobago, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Haiti, Rio de Janeiro, Salvador de Bahia…

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Bordeaux Mondays at restaurant Bisous

6-3-2026

Thanks to access to a unique wine cellar belonging to a passionate wine collector and an ami de Bisous from the eastern part of the country, restaurant Bisous in Amsterdam is launching its Bordeaux Mondays. During these evenings, exceptional wines from the prestigious French wine region of Bordeaux take center stage. Each Monday features a changing Bordeaux theme, ranging from a specific vintage to a remarkable subregion. Wine lovers get the chance to taste exclusive wines that are currently at their optimal drinking moment.

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Female power in a glass | Female winemakers in the spotlight at restaurant Omber

6-3-2026

At Restaurant Omber, located in the historic Tivoli Doelen Amsterdam Hotel, a good glass of wine carries extra meaning. To mark International Women’s Day 2026, Omber is putting female winemakers in the spotlight. Not only on this special day, but throughout the year the restaurant supports talented female winemakers who shape the sector with their vision and craftsmanship.

The wine list consists largely of wines made by women. Guests who take a seat and order a glass are therefore not only choosing quality but are also supporting female creativity and leadership in a traditionally male-dominated profession.

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Hotelschool The Hague presents ‘The AI Power Gap’ research | Hospitality risks losing control of the guest to tech giants

6-3-2026

While the world is talking about AI as the biggest economic shift since the smartphone, the Dutch hospitality sector finds itself in a dangerous dilemma. New research, ‘The AI Power Gap’ by Hotelschool The Hague, shows that the sector is structurally lagging behind: only one in ten Dutch hospitality businesses currently uses AI in a structural way. According to the researchers, this is a “code red” for the sector, as economic value is rapidly shifting toward external tech intermediaries.

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Chocolate Hotel Suite opens its doors to the “sweetest person” in the world

5-3-2026

Tony’s Chocolonely and The Social Hub, two leading B Corp brands committed to making the world fairer and more inclusive, have joined forces to create a chocolate-covered hotel room. But there’s a twist. A stay in the new chocolate pop-up suite at The Social Hub Amsterdam cannot be booked (or paid for). Guests can only stay there if they are nominated as the sweetest person in the world.

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Small gestures of hospitality | What do you do for guests with a cold in your hotel?

3-3-2026

A blog by Marjolein van Spronsen about flu season. It is very inconvenient when part of your staff is sick, but it can also be challenging when you welcome guests who have a cold. How do you remain hospitable in those situations? And more about small gestures of hospitality and ‘random acts of kindness’.

This blog was previously published in Dutch at the website of the Van Spronsen & Partners Group.

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DAPPER. cooks field-fresh hop shoots straight from the source

3-3-2026

For chef Nick Dapper, hop shoots are something exceptional. Not only because of their flavour, but because of what they demand from a chef: speed, focus, and a refusal to take shortcuts. Their season is short. They oxidise quickly. And they don’t submit to routine. At DAPPER., he works with hop shoots harvested from the fields of Paul Temmerman.

Are hop shoots on your menu in the season?

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‘Room for Her’ study by The Social Hub | Dutch women who travel solo prioritize safety over price

3-3-2026

New European research by The Social Hub, conducted in the lead-up to International Women’s Day (March 8), shows that safety is more important than price for Dutch women when booking accommodation for solo travel. 56 percent cite safety as one of the most important factors, compared to 42 percent who mention price. The findings underline the urgent need for change within the hospitality sector when it comes to women’s safety.

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