Highlights from the AD Article: Lonneke and Duco on Running a B&B
What a wonderful summer it has been! Our B&B was fully booked, I went on vacation, and a lovely couple took care of the house. Besides looking after all our animals, they also ran the B&B with a lot of passion and love. It was so nice to see how others put their own special touch on things, and I drew a lot of inspiration from that.
This year, we set off with our camper to Brittany because going further south is really too hot for me. What a great choice that turned out to be! Brittany is absolutely beautiful, and the weather was perfect, around 20 to 25 degrees Celsius every day.
After a week and a half in the camper, we wanted a night in a B&B, and we found a lovely one in Brest, where we could park the camper for free right outside. I’ll write more about this B&B in a separate post. This story, however, is about something else: I was approached by AD (Algemeen Dagblad).
While in Brest, I had just walked into a cute little shop when I got a call from someone at AD asking if I’d like my B&B to be featured in the newspaper, together with two other B&Bs from Rotterdam. I didn’t have to think twice and immediately said yes! Of course I wanted this because I’m extremely proud of my B&B and love sharing about it.
Unfortunately, it had to happen on short notice, so a photo of my husband and me in the B&B wasn’t possible. Luckily, I had a photo of myself in the B&B’s conservatory, and that got approved. The interview took place the next day, from the B&B in Brest—it was so funny that I happened to be staying there at the time!
I’ll share the highlights from the article here, for those who don’t read Dutch. I’m really happy with the result and curious to hear what you think.
Highlights from the Article
- Family and animals: Lonneke and Duco live with their daughters Sterre and Lenthe, two chickens, six ducks, two Flemish Giants, and a cat in their B&B. Guests, like a Japanese couple, love spending hours in the garden watching the animals, and children can even feed the ducks.
- From doubt to passion: Initially, Duco wasn’t convinced about the house with a B&B, but once he saw it, he fell in love too. Now they rent it out almost full-time, and the B&B feels like a true gift.
- Hospitality and personal touch: Lonneke takes care of her guests with love, from hand-towel swans folded by her daughter Lenthe. “The guest is king. When a funny Scottish guest mentioned, ‘The wine was lovely, but it was a bit tricky to open,’ I immediately bought a corkscrew,” she laughs. It’s these small, thoughtful touches that make guests feel truly welcome.
- Inspiration and attention to detail: Lonneke draws inspiration from shows like B&B Vol Liefde and focuses on small touches that make guests feel special.
- Meeting new people: Running a B&B broadens her perspective on people. She meets guests of all ages and backgrounds, learns about different cultures, and even shares her boat with guests from India, bringing the vacation feeling into her home.
Plan Your Romantic Stay in Rotterdam
Looking for the perfect romantic weekend getaway or a romantic trip with your partner in Rotterdam? Skip the hotels and experience the charm, comfort, and personal touch of B&B Berglust. Enjoy a peaceful, green setting close to the city, relax in our sunny conservatory, and meet our friendly ducks, chickens, and Flemish Giants. Whether you’re planning a cozy weekend away or exploring the city, B&B Berglust offers an unforgettable stay that feels like home. Book your stay today and let us make your Rotterdam trip truly special!