In early spring, we spend a long weekend at Soof Retreats, set within the wooded landscape of the Utrechtse Heuvelrug in Rhenen. From the moment we arrive, it’s clear that this is not a typical holiday park. This boutique parc is small in scale, with detached lodges surrounded by greenery. There are no rows of identical houses or a sense of crowding. Instead, there is space, calm and a thoughtful connection to nature. The combination of intimate design and natural surroundings gives it a very different feel from most holiday parks in the Netherlands. Everything here revolves around sustainable comfort, staying in a stylish lodge set in nature, with just enough extra touches to make it easy to slow down and stay put for a few days.
Read this article in DutchThe lodges at Soof
The lodges at Soof Retreats Heuvelrug are built sustainably and operate without gas. Inside, they are modern and warm, with natural materials, plenty of wood and large windows that bring in lots of light. The layout is practical and comfortable, with an open living space, a fully equipped kitchen and three bedrooms. Outside, what stands out most is the sense of space around each lodge. The greenery and thoughtful positioning create a feeling of privacy that is hard to find in many holiday parks.
Beside our lodge, there is a hot tub and a picnic table, while at the front you’ll find a covered area with a relaxed lounge space. One detail we especially like is the sliding wooden screen made of vertical slats. It moves along a rail, allowing you to position it either in front of the large dining area windows or by the outdoor seating area. This makes it easy to adjust the balance between sun and shade, openness and privacy, depending on the moment.
Facilities at the park
The park itself is small in scale, yet there is more than enough to enjoy over a few relaxed days. At Brasserie Soof, you can settle in for breakfast, lunch or simply a drink. It has that easygoing atmosphere where you can drop in without it ever feeling busy or crowded. If you prefer a quiet morning in your own lodge, you can of course pick up groceries locally, but it’s just as simple to order a breakfast basket via WhatsApp and have it delivered to your door.
Guests travelling without children will likely spend more time exploring the surrounding area, but for families there is plenty to do within the park as well. In the warmer months, the heated outdoor pool is a natural gathering spot. Children can head into the forest with Bert the ranger for a small adventure, go on a gentle walk with ponies or join in with creative activities. In the evening, the campfire is often lit, adding to the relaxed atmosphere. While the children are entertained, parents can book a massage or a reiki treatment. Bicycles are also available to rent at the park, which is ideal if you enjoy cycling but prefer not to bring your own.
Good places to eat near Soof
The lodge has everything you need to cook your own meals, but when we’re away for a few days, we always enjoy heading out for dinner now and then. Around Soof Retreats Heuvelrug, there are plenty of inviting spots to choose from. We have dinner at Mas Montagne, a cosy forest restaurant with a warm, intimate feel. After a walk in Kwintelooijen, we stop for lunch at House of Bird. The interior is fairly simple, but outside there’s a spacious terrace where you can sit in the sun on a clear day. De Drie Zussen is within walking distance and makes for an easy dinner option. If you take the path through the forest, you naturally turn it into a short evening walk along the way.
Walking near Soof
Soof Retreats Heuvelrug is set right in the middle of nature, which means there are countless opportunities to head out on foot. Step beyond the edge of the park and you’re immediately in the Amerongse Bos, where several marked trails lead you through the forest. One of the routes we follow is Hoog en Laag by Utrechts Landschap, a varied walk that takes you through dense woodland before opening out towards the surrounding polder.
Kwintelooijen is also just a short distance away, known for the long staircase that leads up to a viewpoint overlooking the landscape. For something different, the Blauwe Kamer is well worth a visit. This nature reserve lies along the river Rhine, where you walk along dikes and across open plains. It offers a completely different atmosphere from the forested surroundings around Soof.
Beautiful nature reserves nearby
Because I enjoy photographing birds and other wildlife, I head out early in the morning during our stay at Soof Retreats Heuvelrug, while the rest of the family is still asleep. It’s one of my favourite moments of the day. The light is soft, the landscape feels almost untouched, and above all, it’s wonderfully quiet.
There are several nature reserves in the area that are perfect for this. I visit the Binnenveldse Hooilanden and the Achterbergse Hooilanden, both open and water rich landscapes with meadows and drainage ditches that attract a wide variety of birdlife. The Binnenveldse Hooilanden is a protected Natura 2000 site, known for its rare bluegrass meadows and the species that depend on them.
We visit the Blauwe Kamer in the middle of the day. This floodplain landscape along the Rhine also has protected Natura 2000 status. The mix of water, reed beds and open plains creates an important habitat for birds. You may also come across Konik horses and grazing cattle, which help maintain the open character of the area.
A little further away, you’ll find the Rijkerswoerdse Plassen. This area was formed through sand extraction and has since developed into a landscape of lakes edged by reeds and natural banks. While the water itself is mainly used for recreation, the surrounding areas are a great place to spot waterbirds. With a bit of luck, you might even catch sight of a kingfisher, a bearded reedling or a reed warbler.
A weekend at Soof Heuvelrug
Spending a few days at Soof Retreats Heuvelrug in Rhenen feels effortlessly relaxing. There is no sense of crowds or large scale development, just a small park where each lodge offers plenty of privacy. For me, the biggest draw is the location in the heart of nature, with so many beautiful landscapes close by.
At the end of the day, you return to a comfortable lodge, perhaps stepping into the hot tub before the evening settles in. It’s a simple rhythm, but one that works surprisingly well. In the end, you realise you don’t really need much more than this.
