Ever wondered how a simple cafe could transform into a hotel with a story? That’s precisely what happened with Hotel ‘t Anker in Leeuwarden. It began in the early 1960s. It was the dream of Jappie and Carla van der Leij.
Initially, they envisioned a cozy cafe. They named it Vic Boitelle. It was first located on Heerestraat. However, Friesland had expansion plans. The province bought out the cafe space.
Undeterred, the Van der Leij’s created a new pub. This pub was called Regina. It was located on Eewal 69. Regina quickly gained popularity. The space soon felt too small. In 1966, they bought another local at number 73. This became a pub. The previous location transformed into a dancing bar.
The family expanded further in 1967. They took over the former guesthouse at number 71. It was called “the center”. It belonged to amateur filmmaker Eeltje Janssen. This acquisition led to the opening of Hotel ‘t Anker. It had eleven standard rooms. These rooms could accommodate about fifteen people.
The dancing bar wasn’t as successful in the early 70s. So they merged it with the hotel. This allowed them to add six more rooms. In 1988, their son Chris joined as a waiter. The business structure evolved. It started as a partnership in 1990. In 2002, Hotel ‘t Anker became a private equity company.
Even today, Jaap, Carla, and Chris van der Leij are hosts. Jaap is now 90. Carla is 84. After 1990, they renovated the first eleven rooms. They transformed the cafe. It became a more modern, old-Dutch style cafe.
Demand for rooms increased. A new space at number 75 became available. The hotel seized the opportunity in 1993. They bought the space. They expanded with six more rooms. These rooms featured showers, toilets, and TVs.
Further renovations occurred in 2002. Today, Hotel ‘t Anker has a variety of rooms. There are twelve standard rooms with facilities. There are eleven low-budget rooms. These have shared facilities. There’s also a group room for eight to twelve people. It has private facilities. The hotel can now accommodate up to sixty people. Hotel ‘t Anker maintains an excellent price-quality ratio. They offer some of the lowest prices in Leeuwarden.
With the arrival of the internet, they created a website. They secured the domain name www.hotelhetanker.nl. Since 2012, customers can book online. The hotel boasts one of the fastest WiFi connections.
Hotel ‘t Anker offers more than just rooms. Guests can rent bicycles. They can enjoy the view from the terrace. Inside, you will find complimentary wireless internet. You can even get a haircut at the hair salon. The family restaurant, Eewal 73, serves local cuisine. A complimentary reception is held daily. Weekday buffet breakfasts are served from 6:30 AM to 9:30 AM for a fee.
The location is ideal. Hotel ‘t Anker is near many attractions. The Fries Museum and Verzetsmuseum Friesland are steps away. Galerie de Roos van Tudor is also nearby.
So, as you stand here, remember the journey of Hotel ‘t Anker. From a small cafe to a well-loved hotel. It is still run by the same family. Their dedication and constant evolution have made it a Leeuwarden landmark.