Sea and the City

The name says it all, because this lovely vacation home is located on the outskirts of Haarlem, between the North Sea and Amsterdam. The advantages of this location are obvious—there are so many different options for enjoying your day. Why not spend time relaxing on the beach, sitting in one of the easygoing beach clubs, listening to the cries of the seagulls or splashing through the North Sea waves? The next day, you could take a stroll through Haarlem or Amsterdam—past canals, houseboats and pretty houses, discovering one cool café and restaurant after another. Or perhaps, you’d like to visit an exhibition in one of the numerous museums and cultural sites. So, if you love nature and the beach as much as urban amenities, Roos and Rick Koevoets' dinky little vacation home, Sea and the City, is the perfect getaway for you. In 2020, the fun-loving young couple, who have three small daughters, opened for business. The design: High-end, clean lines and light. The entire house glows in white inside, complemented by some simple wooden furniture, and lamps and textiles in natural tones. It's simply stunning with a really cozy feel. Sea and the City’s very stylish overall design is coherent and inspirational—everything simply fits: The wonderful ambient lighting provided by the light fixtures, the bright bathroom with its rainwater shower and high-quality care products, and the really comfortable box-spring bed in the loft (with the finest white bedding, of course—what else!). And if it’s fresh air you’re after, you won’t be able to resist the small, pretty terrace aka dance floor. Because as the huge sign on the garden wall tells you: "This garden is for dancing"! This sums up the Dutch joie de vivre, and it's easy to get caught up by it—especially when you're riding your Holland bike through the beautiful little streets. Needless to say, you can't do the Netherlands without a bike. As the main means of Dutch transport, Roos and Rick have thought of this as well—there are two bikes available for guests (for rent). The only thing left to decide is which direction: Sea or city.

WHAT WE LIKE MOST:

• The light and airy, stylish Scandi interior with lots of wood and natural materials—instantly relaxing!
• The white color scheme exudes an air of utter tranquility.
• Great floor plan: Small, but incredibly comfortable
• The beautiful, floor-to-ceiling box windows that let in a lot of light and draw your gaze to the terrace.
• The small, urban terrace perfect for enjoying your coffee or a glass of wine. In cooler temperatures, you can simply snuggle up in one of the blankets provided. 
• The comfy, luxury box-spring bed with two kinds of pillows nestled under the white roof beams
• The beautiful bathroom with soft, fragrant towels and high-quality care products from Meraki
• The National Park Zuid-Kennemerland with its beautiful forests and dunes is just around the corner, as is Elswout with its orangery, winding paths, streams and 250-year-old trees.
• The two black Holland bikes for that instant Netherlands feeling (EUR 10 per day and bike)
• The perfect location: Get to the sea in no time at all (10 minutes by car or bike), Haarlem (walking distance) and Amsterdam (15 minutes by train).

GOOD TO KNOW:

• Great for families: Two bedrooms; baby bed and high chair on request
• Roos and Rick don’t offer breakfast, as there are many great breakfast locations in the immediate vicinity.
• Within walking distance are the town centers of Overveen and Bloemendaal, where you can find several restaurants.
• Beach bars are a typical sight for the Dutch North Sea coast, so you’ll find plenty to choose from on the beaches of Zandvoort and Bloemendaal. 
• Supermarket Albert Heijn is not far away (by the way, the kids will love the Vla and Hagelslag ...).
• Amsterdam offers everything your heart desires. But you’ll also find an extensive range of bars, restaurants, cafes and stores in Haarlem that easily live up to those in the capital. Roos and Rick have put together a list of their favorites for their guests
• Incidentally, the hosts live right next door in an old villa. 
• Easy to reach from the nearest airport: Airport transport 15 minutes, bus 12 minutes, cab 15 minutes and train 20 minutes.