I love the little surprises I still find wandering through the city. While showing a visiting friend around the Nieuwegracht the other week, we spotted a few unexpected sights. First up is this Secret Room that is a part of the Hotel Nieuwegracht. Actually, let me correct that. It’s the only room in the Hotel Nieuwegracht. The hotel is the smallest in Utrecht, although eventually it will have a second room. From their website:
At this current moment, Hotel Nieuwegracht consists of one room. The room has a private entrance door right at the channel, and was recently completely renovated. Room features:
– bathtub with shower;
– flat screen TV with DVD player and digital TV
– water boiler and complimentary coffee and tea;
– complimentary bottle of white wine.
For those not familiar with the Nieuwegracht, it’s one of Utrecht’s famous canals with a wharf level below street level. For example, this is the view you would have outside your door if you stayed at Hotel Nieuwegracht:
Sadly, it was overcast and a bit gloomy that day, so this doesn’t show it at its best, but it’s still a lovely view and is particularly charming when the trees are in full leaf, or when snow coats the streets and wharves.
The other unusual sight we came across just a few steps further down the Nieuwegracht was this sign pointing to heaven and hell. Interestingly, the sign is lateral rather than vertical. In this case, I have no idea if the sign has any specific significance, but it’s certainly food for thought.
A Flamingo in Utrecht 
I love the NIeuwegracht hotel with its one and only room 😀 I’ve never seen it during my walks around Utrecht.
I would love to stay in that hotel! What a great concept.
There’s a quote I’ve always loved and the second sign brought it to mind: “The doors of heaven and hell are adjacent, and identical: both green, both beautiful. Take care, Adam! Take care! Take care!” It’s from The Last Temptation of Christ by Kazantzakis. Maybe the sign is meant to be a reminder– both ways are beautiful and equally open to us?
Or maybe ironic and silly– sort of a monty pythonesque surreal moment???
I love the idea of that hotel too & had never heard of it. I also got a kick out of the Hell/Heaven sign.
I always loved finding new things/discovering new things while I visited different cities in NL. Although I visited Utrecht a few times, I never actually got to wander around there so it’s cool to see what all you share from here.
Again, I wish you a Happy New Year!
It’s a fairly recent hotel, but I’m glad I stumbled across it like this. Definitely something to keep in mind if anyone is looking for a hotel room here with a bit of character! Gelukkig nieuwjaar! I hope you’re enjoying Australia!
Brilliant. The door and the sign and the way they are just there sound like something out of a Neil Gaiman story. Who knows that magical adventure they will lead to.
Considering the low overhead of the doors on the wharf — and thinking of the height of the Dutch — I was thinking of Alice in Wonderland and was curious if a pill to make you smaller is included with the hotel room. 😉