Netherlands

Stella Suites: unique art nouveau boutique hotel in the Netherlands

It’s a Sunday afternoon in March when we drive to Goirle in the south of the Netherlands for a few days of pampering ourselves in one of the most beautiful hotels in the Netherlands: Stella Suites Boutique Hotel. This small-scale hotel with only eight suites still exudes the beautiful art nouveau style of a hundred years ago, but with the modern, comfortable and stylish rooms of a boutique hotel. We loved every second of our three-day stay at Stella Suites!

Read more: check out our overview of more unique places to stay in the Netherlands and other countries.

Stella Suites Boutique Hotel | Special overnight stay in Brabant

Love nest from Stella and Frits

Stella Suites Boutique Hotel can be found in Goirle, a small village glued to the city of Tilburg in Brabant in the south of the Netherlands. In this village, the loving couple Frits and Stella founded their love nest in this art nouveau building from 1902. Stella, actually named Sultanica Ionica, lived once at the court of the Russian tsar, but fled to Romania. There she met the Dutch Frits van Puijenbroek. She taught him Dutch and he fell in love.

Frits bought the unique villa to allow the Russian Stella to live in the Netherlands. Stella was only welcome in the Netherlands around 1900, after Frits bought the property and promised to leave it to the church after their death. Sultanica soon became Stella, which is easier to pronounce in the Netherlands. The building became known as Villa Stella and the special building in Goirle is still named after the eccentric woman.

Stella Suites Boutique Hotel | Special overnight stay in Brabant

A unique boutique hotel in Brabant

Stella now offers guests a unique boutique hotel stay in Brabant, not far from the Belgian border. The building was bought not long ago by Marleen, the new Stella, to start a boutique hotel. Under her leadership, the villa in Goirle was restored, expanded with a part that was once planned to be built on the villa anyway, and the luxurious Stella Suites Boutique Hotel was created.

Everything about the hotel exudes the lush art nouveau style of Stella and Frits. From the beautiful tiled floor to the colorful stained-glass windows, from the green glazed tiles in the staircase at the front facade to the curly balcony railing. But combined with modern luxury and comfort! The rooms have comfortable large beds, a wonderful bathroom and often even a large bath. Everything isdecorated in a modern style, but with art nouveau details such as the prints in the frames above the bed.

There are only eight suites, which means there is plenty of room for a personal touch. A sweet welcome card is waiting for us on arrival and the staff and Marleen herself are most friendly with lots of local tips.

Because (hotel) restaurants are still closed during our visit in March 2021, a set table is ready in our room. Via Stella Suites you can order an extensive dinner and enjoy it in your room. And breakfast is also served in the suites instead of the villa kitchen in the basement, so you can enjoy it on your suite table – or perhaps in that wonderful bed – as well.

Stella Suites Boutique Hotel | Special overnight stay in Brabant

Stella Suites: a must-visit destination

Stella Stuies is the perfect base to explore the south of the Netherlands. There is a spa just around the corner, Thermen Goirle, if you’re looking for the ultimate relaxation. The city of Tilburg is nearby as well, offering plenty of options for museums and restaurants.

If you’re more interested in nature, Goirle is surrounded by beautiful forests and some of the Dutch nature reserves are very closeby. The Nieuwkerk Monastery on the outskirts of Goirle is a must-visit if you’d like to enjoy the Brabant forests. You can go to the monastery itself for food and drinks, but it is also the starting point for a forest hike. The hiking trail is just under 6 kilometers long and takes you through the forest, past prehistoric burial mounds and on sandy paths.

We we’re unfortunate to stay at Stella when most attractions weren’t open yet in the Netherlands. But we actually didn’t mind that at all. Stella Suites is a must-visit destination itself and we loved staying at this small luxury oasis. When staying at Stella, you don’t need museums, restaurants or other excursions.

Stella Suites Boutique Hotel

art nouveau hotel in the Netherlands

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