The Highlights of Deventer
This chic Pillows hotel is housed in a stunning historic building right on the IJssel River. What a privilege to spend a night here and how luxurious to wake up to a breathtaking view of Deventer's skyline. There's even a small ferry next to the hotel that takes you across the river, placing you right in the heart of the city's historic center. The staff at the Pillows hotel were more than happy to give me tips on how to navigate this charming town. But before you head out, I'd love to share my personal highlights of Deventer with you.
Deventer is one of the oldest cities in the Netherlands and had been at the top of my list of places to visit. The city center feels like an island, nestled between the IJssel and the canals, giving it a cozy atmosphere and an easy-to-navigate layout. You can wander around the center to your heart’s content, shopping or enjoying a drink on one of the terraces—incidentally, two of my favorite things to do!
Shopping in Deventer
For those who want to take a nice walk during their stay but forgot their good shoes, DEAUP is the place to score trendy sneakers. You'll find the kind of sneakers here that are sold out everywhere online. I was thrilled because they had the coveted Adidas Sambas in every possible color combination. Jackpot. Right next to DEAUP is The Stockroom Deventer: a store where they sell gorgeous brands. Honestly, I could have blown through a month's salary here in no time. A bit further along, I passed all sorts of boutique stores, and my jaw dropped at Holy Cow. I managed to keep myself in check—but let's see if you can do the same.
Every year, the city hosts a massive book fair. If you miss it like I did, no worries—you can visit one of the many bookshops in town any other day of the year. And, of course, you can’t leave Deventer without picking up some local products, such as Deventer Koek, Deventer mustard, Deventer beer, or Deventer cheese. For the latter, I went to Kaashandel de Brink, which has been named the Netherlands' Best Cheese Specialty Shop six times. I had to restrain myself, as a fabulous dinner was waiting for me.
Walking and Cycling in Deventer
For those not too keen on shopping, there are beautiful walking routes around town. A city walk took me past all the stunning historic buildings and streets, but you can also enjoy various routes along the IJssel. Not far from the hotel lies the beautiful Sallandse Heuvelrug National Park. Every season has its own charm here. With its rolling heathlands, you’ll feel as though you’re far from the Netherlands. I’ll definitely be back.
The Deventer area offers lovely cycling routes that take you through forests, meadows, and across the Veluwe. If you didn’t bring a bike, don’t worry—there are plenty available at the hotel. The best part of such an active day? Coming back to the hotel where you can indulge in luxury: take a warm bath, relax your muscles in the sauna, or unwind with a drink (cava!) on the terrace by the river. We checked off the last one but skipped the bike ride. After a year and a half of sleepless nights with a baby, we finally got a chance to relax. Can you blame us?
Dining at IJssel Restobar
The recently opened IJssel Restobar is a true gem in the city. In my opinion, there’s no real competition in town for such an excellent dining experience. I imagine this restaurant will quickly grow in popularity, and not just among hotel guests.
Here, the menu is fully customizable. Only starters, or perhaps beginning with a main course—any form of shared dining is possible. My partner and I—being as original as we are—started with a glass of champagne and oysters. Heavenly. Soon after, we were treated to artichoke and 24-month-aged Jamón ‘Batallé el Único,’ which melts in your mouth.
Compliments to the chef, because when every choice is the right one, you've created a great menu. We also ordered the Oosterschelde eel with foie gras, North Sea crab, lobster bisque, and MRIJ tartare langoustine and ossobuco with risotto à la Milanese. All dishes were worth writing home about, and so I immediately sent jealous-inducing photos to the folks back home. After dinner, we rolled straight into bed. How perfect is that! And for those who become huge fans of the beds: they’re available for purchase. As well as the duvet and, you guessed it, the pillows. Bonne nuit!
Don’t Miss These Spots:
Café Cuisine St. Maxime: A touch of France in historic Deventer, perfect for lunch, brunch, or dinner
Chez Antoinette: A restaurant and bodega with a Portuguese menu and wine list
Parkcafé Mees: A lovely spot on Vogeleiland
Appel & Ei: For secondhand clothes, but only top brands
MOOS kids: An awesome kids’ concept store with the finest brands
Blanche concept store: The collection is worth a visit, but the building itself is a gem
Blauwehand 1652 and Studio 1652: Two stores full of sustainable brands, one for women and the other for men
MIMIK Film, Theater, and Café: Directly across from the hotel, MIMIK offers a cultural outing for film and theater lovers, making your weekend in Deventer complete.
