Unique first for Brainport Eindhoven, which has waited many years for top-flight hotel accommodation
EINDHOVEN - Kasteel Gemert, just outside Eindhoven, is to become the first Curio Collection by Hilton in Benelux, joining one of the most luxurious hotel brands in the Hilton Worldwide portfolio. The announcement was made on Monday afternoon, 19 December, during a festive gathering in what will become the theatre and events space of the 14th-century castle, where the agreement was signed. A real local landmark, the castle is currently undergoing major renovation to transform it into a five-star ‘high-end domain of fascination’ for both business and leisure. As things currently stand, Hotel Kasteel Gemert Eindhoven Curio Collection by Hilton will be ready to welcome its first guests towards the end of 2024.
Unique first
The arrival of a hotel that is part of the Curio by Hilton collection, one of the highest profile brands within the Hilton organization, marks a unique first for Brainport Eindhoven. The majority of the collection's 130 or so luxurious hotels with conference facilities are located in North and South America. At present, Europe has only 30 Curio by Hilton hotels, most of them in the UK and Italy. All Curio by Hilton hotels boast a level of service and a look and feel that are on a par with the world's most luxurious hotels, and have been hand-picked by the Hilton organization for their unique location or their special connection with the past.
The arrival of a five-star Curio Collection by Hilton is the fulfilment of a long-held wish for the region. Brainport Eindhoven, home to around 5000 large and small enterprises in the field of IT and technological innovation, is one of the smartest and most innovative regions of Europe and top-end hotel capacity has long been in short supply. ‘It is a tremendous honour for us to be able to make this wish come true, particularly for the business market,’ says landowner Bas van de Laar.
Important new step
David Heiligers, Managing Director Development for France and Benelux at Hilton Worldwide, is proud to collaborate with Kasteel Gemert Eindhoven. ‘Each Curio Collection by Hilton hotel offers guests a unique experience. The establishment of a high-end hotel in a fourteenth-century castle near one of Europe’s main technological centres represents an important new step for our organization.’
For Councillor Hanneke Coppens of the municipality of Gemert-Bakel, who is overseeing the development, the keen interest shown by a world-famous hotel chain like Hilton is proof of Gemert's tremendous added value to the Brainport Eindhoven region. ‘The arrival of this prestigious hotel chain gives a boost to our municipality's economy. More recreational visitors will breathe new life into our town centre. It's a great addition to what we currently offer. Kasteel Gemert’s new role will help ensure that its doors remain open, which is exactly what we, along with the municipal council and our residents, have been campaigning for. Moreover, this development further reinforces ties between the Brainport region and Gemert-Bakel and the De Peel region.’
Luxury and comfort
Following the major renovation work, Hotel Kasteel Gemert Eindhoven Curio by Hilton will have at least 56 rooms, two fine dining restaurants, and an event room and theatre. The hotel is aimed in principle at business and leisure guests who are accustomed to the highest level of luxury and comfort. ‘The central concept behind the creation of the hotel in the castle is that a thriving business environment benefits in every respect from premium accommodation. As landowner and developer at BL Huisvesting, I’m convinced that one cannot exist without the other,’ says Van de Laar.
Once the future guests of Kasteel Gemert Eindhoven Curio by Hilton have arrived in its relaxed environment, they won't want to leave. Kasteel Gemert boasts a rich history, having been founded in 1391 by crusaders. That history is abundantly apparent in the fascinating collection of buildings that make up the castle, such as the majestic main castle, the outer ward, the donjon (keep), and the historic parkland.
For centuries, the castle played a prominent role in the region and far beyond. With the upgrade and transformation into a Curio Collection by Hilton, Kasteel Gemert is regaining its economic and social standing, including as a hub of European culture and history. As a high-end ‘country estate’ for Brainport Eindhoven, Kasteel Gemert will be an important link between the booming region of Eindhoven and the rest of the Netherlands, and even the world.
