Soup, schnitzel and sorbet: that is the regular carnival menu of hotel restaurant Van der Valk in Nuland. During carnival, the business guests have disappeared and the building is taken over by carnival revelers. Hundreds of schnitzels then disappear into hungry mouths and everyone from above the rivers also stays asleep.
It is a permanent fixture when you drive from Den Bosch to Oss. On the A59 you pass the Van der Valkhotel in Nuland. The traditional building with the dark roof has long been replaced by a sleek white building. The renovation of the hotel has been going on for a long time. Shortage of materials and an unfortunate fire caused a lot of headwind. But a large part of the building is now finished and during Carnival guests can be received in the old-fashioned way again.
Melissa Mandenmaker is the sales manager of Van der Valk Nuland. “The interior as it is now is so beautiful that it would be a shame to hang carnival decorations there.” That does not stop Westerners from celebrating carnival in Oeteldonk from the hotel in Nuland. “We take them with our special shuttle bus to the station in Den Bosch where they start celebrating Carnival. You will have to return on your own.”
“Nothing bad ever happens”
Most hotel beds in Nuland are sold out during carnival. Due to the renovation, not all beds were available at Van der Valk in recent years. But now it’s full speed again. The hustle and bustle in the hotel does not only depend on the hotel guests. Many residents of Nuland also eat at least once in the restaurant around the corner during the carnival. Usually Schnitzels, but satay is also often ordered.
According to marketing employee Lotte Loohuis, the atmosphere is very pleasant. “I also worked here as a waiter when I was 15. People are cheerful during carnival. Go do something fun. Nothing bad ever happens.”
“There are a lot of eggs and bacon during breakfast”
Hotel guests get up early during carnival. Melissa: “Many carnival visitors head to Den Bosch early so they have a good spot. It’s getting busier in the city, so they’re leaving earlier and earlier.” That means a lot of eggs and bacon during breakfast. “A real hangover breakfast, but we normally always have that at our breakfast buffet.”
Because the hotel has existed for 55 years, the company has created special carnival emblems. One for the Oeteldonk celebrants and this year for the first time also for the carnival celebrators in Nuland. Because Van der Valk occupies a special place in the village. Melissa: “We sponsor football and tennis here. We have a very good relationship with the carnival club. They come here every year during Carnival for breakfast and dinner in the evening. The parade used to start here, but because we are still under renovation, that is not possible now. “
