BLOG: "A look behind the scenes"

At Cityhotel Wood

Today we would like to give you a look behind the scenes. Mid-July 2020 - after some delay - we opened the doors of Cityhotel Wood & Natural Kitchen The Green Room. What we could not suspect at that time, is that after 3 months we had to partially close the doors again.

In the meantime, we did not sit still and we were also working on a new website. All the more reason to introduce ourselves here - again - and tell about the origins of Cityhotel Wood.

Overnight stay in the city centre of Middelburg

Cityhotel Wood is located near the bend of Middelburg's stately city canal. More than a hundred years ago, a flourishing sawmill company lived here. Not surprisingly, the street name already gives it away: Achter de Houttuinen.

'Houttuin' is an old-fashioned word for a wood storage facility. The wood could easily be transported by barge from elsewhere on the island and in the provinces. The names of surrounding streets, such as the Domburgs Schuitvlot (i.e. the raft or mooring jetty for barges from Domburg), are reminders of this.

Scoop, the Zeeland Institute for Social & Cultural Development, has lived here ever since. It is now home to Cityhotel Wood. Although we do everything in our power to keep history alive, starting with our name.

Cityhotel Wood & The Green Room; meet Bennie & Eva

Both of us got fascinated by hospitality and gastronomy from an early age. Bennie was twelve when his family moved to Yerseke, a small fishing town on the Oosterschelde estuary. Spending time among oysters, mussels, periwinkles and lobsters, one summer he got to go on a spat fishing trip in Germany, near Wiek. The captain? His best friend’s dad. One time while fishing, a huge crab was caught… and at lunchtime, the crew enjoyed a rich and delicious crab salad. Bennie then felt he wanted to make such dishes too!

Thanks to the enthusiasm and fun work environment in the restaurant where Bennie later worked as an intern, he found out for sure: his passion lies in the kitchen. He focuses all his knowledge and passion on the concept of the restaurant; Natural Kitchen The Green Room.

Eva’s first summer job was at a ice-cream parlour in Vlissingen. Long days, few breaks… Handling the ice tong for so long gave her callouses as well as a big smile upon her face. There, she learned what it is to work hard. She also learned how much energy she gets from that, especially when working as part of a close team, helping people.

During her Tourism education in Middelburg, she interned at the front desk at Hotel Goes. Little did she know she would stay for eleven years straight. Front office and sales, management assistance, HRM: Eva got to experience all aspects of the hospitality industry during her time at Hotel Goes. Her favourite tasks? As long as it involves close contact with guests, Eva is happy!

Together at the helm of Cityhotel Wood

Eva can use her energy as a hotel manager to ensure that all services for guests and behind the scenes run as smoothly as possible. And works with her team, of course, because we all do it together. Bennie enjoys the freedom to work with special ingredients and let his creativity speak for itself in new dishes.

We met eleven years ago. Time flies by! The fact that we now run a hotel together is a great gift...

Sustainable hospitality in Middelburg

When you enter the hotel, you are in fact walking into our idea of hospitality. Together with owner Peter Bommeljé, we came up with the concept, guided the interior design and put our interests and accents into daily practice. You will find our attention to sustainability, for example, in the kitchen and beyond.

Would you like to read more about what sustainability means to us and how we have put it into practice? Then be sure to read on here.

Welcome at Cityhotel Wood & The Green Room

Of course you are also welcome to come and see it with your own eyes. As we pointed out, the doors were only partly closed. Our hotel is just open! And if you spend the night with us, we provide a delicious breakfast in the morning. In The Green Room or in your room, whatever you like! For you as a hotel guest, the doors of The Green Room are also open for lunch and/or dinner.

Also get to know?

In these somewhat crazy and restless times, we have put together a great arrangement. For everyone who wants to get acquainted! Because even if you live in Middelburg or the surrounding area, we are happy to show you our hotel and let you experience it for yourself. And say for yourself, it is important to continue to take good care of yourself. And a night away does wonders; to rest, to refuel, to relax and to eat tasty & healthy! So book our Meet The Green Room Package and we will offer you a cosy, healthy and safe night away.

Book the Meet The Green Room Package