From De Gouden Leeuw to Hildesheim
From De Gouden Leeuw to Hildesheim
OUR HISTORY
What began in 1929 as a small restaurant in the Netherlands grew over generations into an international hotel group. To this day, family hospitality, entrepreneurial spirit and the joy of creating memorable stays remain at the heart of the Van der Valk story.
Our Story in Hildesheim
A Hotel with Character
Since 2006, Van der Valk Hotel Hildesheim has been part of this special family story. Our home is the historic market square – a place where people come together and memories are made.
Behind the listed historic façade, we combine the charm of the city with the comfort and hospitality that Van der Valk is known for.
Yet what makes our hotel truly special to us is more than its location or its facilities. Above all, it is the personal encounters: breakfast at Restaurant Gildehaus, a relaxing evening at Bar Stadtschenke, a special celebration or a well-deserved getaway.
We want our guests to feel more than simply visitors. We want them to feel genuinely welcome, with personal attention, an eye for the little details and the pleasure of creating memorable moments.
This combination of tradition, continuous development and genuine hospitality is what continues to define our hotel today.
Wie alles began
The beginning in Voorschoten
Martinus and Riet van der Valk open the small restaurant De Gouden Leeuw in Voorschoten in the Netherlands. At first, guests are served lemonade and coffee; before long, Riet adds pancakes and other dishes to the menu.
Good food, fair prices and genuine hospitality quickly turn the restaurant into a popular meeting place.
A new building
When the road at the original location is widened, the restaurant has to make way. A new building is constructed on the same site, now including ten hotel rooms.
What began as a successful restaurant gradually takes the next step towards becoming a hotel business.
A strong foundation
By the time Martinus van der Valk passes away in 1969, the family business already includes 16 hotels and restaurants.
His children, grandchildren and later great-grandchildren continue the story, developing Van der Valk across generations into a steadily growing hotel and restaurant group.
The move into Germany
The opening of the first Van der Valk hotel in Moers in 1986 marks the beginning of the company’s story in Germany.
From there, Van der Valk continues to grow on the German market, combining its Dutch roots with the individual character of each destination.
Hildesheim becomes part of the story
In 2006, Hildesheim becomes part of the Van der Valk story. Located directly on the historic market square, the hotel has since combined an exceptional setting with personal hospitality, dining, meetings and relaxation.
In 2026, Van der Valk Hotel Hildesheim celebrated its 20th anniversary.
FAMILY & HOSPITALITY
Hospitality across generations
What began with Martinus and Riet van der Valk has been carried forward by the generations that followed. A small restaurant grew into a family business with hotels and restaurants in several countries.
Despite this growth, the family spirit remains an important part of the Van der Valk identity: personal hospitality, short lines of communication and the ambition to create a pleasant and memorable stay for every guest.
THE TOUCAN
A symbol that connects us
The toucan is far more than Van der Valk’s familiar emblem. It represents the shared identity of the hotels and has accompanied the brand for many years.
Across the Netherlands, Germany and other destinations, the toucan connects the different Van der Valk hotels and stands for hospitality, relaxation and varied experiences.
VAN DER VALK IN GERMANY
From Moers to today
IN GERMANY SINCE 1986
The opening of Van der Valk Hotel Moers in 1986 marked the beginning of the family company’s German story. Since then, Van der Valk has continued to grow throughout Germany.
Today, hotels and resorts in different regions offer a wide variety of opportunities for city breaks, relaxation, business travel, meetings and special occasions. Each property combines the familiar Van der Valk hospitality with its own regional character.
HILDESHEIM – PART OF THE STORY
Van der Valk Hotel Hildesheim
SINCE 2006
Van der Valk has been at home on Hildesheim’s historic market square since 2006. Behind the listed half-timbered and Rococo façade, we combine personal service, modern comfort and a central location in the heart of the city.
Whether you are travelling for business, enjoying a weekend break, attending a meeting or celebrating a special occasion, our aim is to create a stay you will remember fondly.
A tradition that lives on
A tradition that lives on
Van der Valk
A small restaurant became an international hotel group – yet the idea behind it remains the same: welcoming people with genuine hospitality and creating memorable moments.
We look forward to continuing this story together with our guests.