Starting this week, guests can check in for a night spent in the historic De Hoop windmill in Elen (Dilsen-Stokkem - Limburg). The windmill, which is still used to grind grain to this day, will now also serve as a guesthouse. The people behind the project explain the accommodation is needed to ensure this gem of Limburg heritage can be preserved for the future.
Windmill De Hoop was built in 1870 and remained in use until 1968. The mill is now a listed building and has been fully restored. A young miller recently resumed flour production, whilst guests are now given the chance to stay overnight at the mill.
“People are increasingly looking for a unique overnight experience,” says Stef van Boekel of Specialstays. “This mill has a rich history, and we’ve reflected that in the interior, with carefully chosen colours and materials.”
Every Saturday afternoon, work at the mill is in full swing. That’s when a miller grinds grain into flour here. “He’s a passionate 23-year-old, the youngest miller in Flanders,” explains Van Boekel. “Among other things, he produces and sells bread and cake flour.”
Guests staying at the mill or in one of the other rooms on this site can watch the entire milling process up close. “That’s what makes a stay here truly special,” explains Van Boekel. “Not only do guests sleep in a unique location, but they also experience a piece of living heritage.”
Guaranteeing a future for Mill De Hoop
The people behind the project say the provision of accommodation gives Mill De Hoop new prospects for the future. “These days, it’s very difficult for a mill to survive financially on the sale of flour alone,” says Van Boekel.
“By combining it with accommodation, we’re creating a sustainable model that helps the mill to survive. That’s not only important for the mill itself, but also for the village. In this way, the familiar silhouette that has defined the local landscape for over a century will be preserved.”