The story behind
Boutique Hotel Badhotel Bruin

A place to stay
Stories to Tell Across Generations

Boutique Hotel Badhotel Bruin has been a part of Vlieland since 1874. What began as a guesthouse on Dorpsstraat grew over the generations into the boutique hotel it is today. Families helped build the business, regular guests returned, and the hotel evolved alongside the island. Today, guests can stay overnight, dine, enjoy drinks, and relax—all under one roof. Its history remains the foundation, while Boutique Hotel Badhotel Bruin continues to evolve with a focus on its guests and on Vlieland.

Boutique Hotel Badhotel Bruin on Vlieland Today

From the hotel, you can explore the village, the natural surroundings, and the beach. Afterward, you’ll return to a place where the various aspects of your stay come together.

You can stay with us in a room, suite, or apartment. Enjoy a meal at Restaurant Bravoure, and stop by Café Bruintje for a drink. You can also relax at our wellness center.

Each part has its own character, yet together they form a single hotel. This reflects the way Boutique Hotel Badhotel Bruin has evolved over the years: always focusing on what guests need and how we can make their stay enjoyable.

Be sure to check out our rooms and suites, Restaurant Bravoure, Café Bruintje, and the wellness facilities on Vlieland.

A sense of family across the generations

Family and commitment have played an important role in the history of Boutique Hotel Badhotel Bruin. Dirk and Grete Bruin built the hotel together. Their sons grew up in the business and helped with day-to-day operations. Employees, too, developed close ties with the family and the hotel.

That sense of connection went beyond mere collaboration. People were an integral part of daily life at the hotel, and guests sometimes returned year after year. This created a place where personal connections played an important role.

Even today, the hotel is connected to a family: the Aukes family. Robert and Caroline Aukes took over the day-to-day management of the hotel in November 2022. Together with the team, they are continuing to build the future of Boutique Hotel Badhotel Bruin.

This marks the beginning of a new chapter in the hotel’s history. Times change, as do guests’ preferences, but personal commitment remains a core value.

Vlieland Skyline - Badhotel Bruin

The History of Boutique Hotel Badhotel Bruin

1874 - The Beginning on Dorpsstraat

The hotel’s history dates back to 1874. An inn was established on Dorpsstraat, which continued to grow in the years that followed. This marked the beginning of a story that became closely intertwined with life and tourism on Vlieland.

Traveling to the island was less common back then than it is today. The connection to the mainland played an important role in the development of tourism. As more people discovered Vlieland, the need for places to stay also grew.

1883 to 1896 - From guesthouse to hotel

In 1883, the arrival of the mail boat made traveling to Vlieland easier. Interest in the island grew in the years that followed.

Around 1886, the inn had eight rooms. In 1895, it was converted into a hotel. The building was renovated and expanded. By June 1896, the renovation was complete, and the hotel had three stories.

During this period, it was known as Hotel Meijer. Its development illustrates how the establishment grew alongside the increasing interest in Vlieland. In 1920, the hotel was called Mr. Duyker.

1936 - The Bruin family takes over the hotel

On February 22, 1936, Dirk Bruin bought the hotel. Together with his wife, Grete, he continued to build the business. Their sons grew up amid the day-to-day operations and became increasingly involved in the business.

What began as small tasks grew into an active role at the hotel. The family was closely involved in the various aspects of the business. As a result, Boutique Hotel Badhotel Bruin became not only a business, but also a place where work and family life were intertwined.

The 1940s and 1950s - Guests from the Netherlands and Germany

After World War II, tourism on Vlieland picked up again. Boutique Hotel Badhotel Bruin welcomed guests from the Netherlands and Germany. Families with children, in particular, came for vacations lasting a week or fourteen days. Many guests returned every year.

Even outside the summer season, the hotel remained a gathering place. In the winter and spring, representatives from various companies stayed there. Stories were shared and connections were made at the regulars’ table.

The regular guests thus became an important part of life at the hotel. It was a place where people not only stayed but also returned because they felt at home there.

The 1960s - A hotel that continues to evolve

In the 1960s, Boutique Hotel Badhotel Bruin further expanded its operations. In addition to the hotel, it included a movie theater and banquet hall, a bar, and a liquor store.

Starting in the mid-1960s, the hotel was open year-round. That was unusual on an island where tourism was heavily dependent on the season. Vacationers came in the summer, while in the fall and winter, clubs and groups also visited the hotel for meetings and
activities.

One notable regular guest was journalist and columnist Jacques Gans. Between 1966 and 1971, he stayed regularly at Boutique Hotel Badhotel Bruin. He particularly enjoyed visiting Vlieland in the winter and early spring, when the island had a different character than during the busy summer months.

The 1980s—Resilience and Continuous Innovation

Over the years, Boutique Hotel Badhotel Bruin has continually evolved. The family and the team have always sought a management style that suits the hotel, its guests, and the times. Even in the 1980s, this called for new decisions and a different approach.

In the years that followed, new arrangements and changes in operations took place. The hotel continued to seek ways to welcome guests and further develop itself, while preserving its unique character.

This development shows that a hotel with a long history doesn’t have to stand still. By continually assessing what is needed and what suits the business, it can adapt to changing circumstances and guests’ preferences.

2005 to 2007 — A new owner and a major renovation

In 2005, the hotel was sold to Annelies van der Vorm. What began as a modernization project turned into a major renovation. The building turned out to need more than just a cosmetic makeover.

The renovation of the hotel was completed in 2007. The hotel was given a new interior and modern amenities. It retained its location on Dorpsstraat, while the building was adapted to meet the needs of a new generation of guests.

2015 - Vlieland as Vliebiza

In 2015, Vlieland was in the spotlight as a luxury destination. The term “Vliebiza” began appearing in the media, a reference to the popular island of Ibiza. The terrace at Badhotel Bruin also attracted an increasing number of Dutch celebrities.

Behind that image, however, lay the question of how the hotel could continue to operate effectively. The period that followed called for a focus on day-to-day operations and for decisions that were in line with the hotel and its guests.

This is an example of how the environment and visitors’ expectations change. Even then, it remains important to determine which direction is right for the hotel.

2016 to 2022 - Continuing to Build the Future

In the years following 2015, the hotel continued to refine its operations and develop its own identity. Café Bruintje also regained its place in the hotel’s story.

In June 2022, Badhotel Bruin celebrated its 125th anniversary*. That celebration marked a special moment in the hotel’s history. The name, the location, and the many stories of guests and employees together formed an important part of its heritage.

In November of that same year, Robert and Caroline Aukes took over day-to-day management from Corinne de Groot. This meant that a family was once again at the helm.

*Further historical research revealed that the hotel’s history dates back to 1874. This means that in 2022, the hotel celebrated not its 125th anniversary, but its 148th. Want to learn more about the rich history of Badhotel Bruin? Read the book *Staying at Badhotel Bruin Since 1874*, which is available for browsing at the hotel.

Since 2022 — A New Chapter for Boutique Hotel Badhotel Bruin

With Robert and Caroline Aukes at the helm, the story continues. Just as with previous generations, running a hotel requires dedication, making choices, and continuous growth. The history of Bruin and the Aukes family’s commitment go hand in hand. Not because everything stays the same, but because each generation builds on the hotel’s legacy in its own way.

A History That Goes On

From its origins as an inn in the nineteenth century to today’s Boutique Hotel Badhotel Bruin: the hotel has continually evolved. Various families, employees, and guests have contributed to its history.

The common thread is not that everything always stayed the same. It was precisely by changing, making new choices, and continuing to seek out what suits the hotel that the company was able to keep evolving over the years.

The Bruin family history and the Aukes family’s involvement each contribute to this in their own way. The past serves as the foundation, but the hotel continues to be built upon every day.

Boutique Hotel Bruin
Vlieland Skyline - Badhotel Bruin

Welcome to Boutique Hotel Badhotel Bruin

Whether you’re coming to Vlieland for a short getaway, dinner at Restaurant Bravoure, or a moment of relaxation at the wellness center, Boutique Hotel Bruin offers a variety of options all in one place.


Would you like to experience Boutique Hotel Bruin for yourself? Discover our rooms and suites, reserve a table at Restaurant Bravoure, or explore our wellness center on Vlieland. We look forward to welcoming you to Dorpsstraat on Vlieland.