Assen Hotels

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  Bed and Breakfast Assen

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Drenthe, in the north eastern part of the Netherlands, is one of the country's most rural provinces and as such attracts many visitors looking to tour some of the forest, heath and canal landscapes. Some will tour the area by car for sure, but for many this is two-wheel country, either on bicycle in what is regarded as the 'cycling province of the Netherlands', or by motorcycle, especially in June, when the capital of the province, Assen, stages the Dutch TT. The capital has many additional events and attractions and Assen hotels are well placed to cope with the visitor numbers keen to explore the city and wider province.

Most people will arrive in Assen by train, from Amsterdam or Groningen, or by bus from Stadskanal, and the city forms a transport hub for the province. There is is an airport too, Groningen Eelde, less than 20km away, with bus connections into Assen. Although a city for more than two centuries, Assen is not large and easy to navigate on foot. For wider travel there is no better way than by bicycle. Two national cycle routes, LF9 and LF14 pass close to the city and cycle hire is available from the train station. It is a measure of the appeal of Drenthe for cyclists that it is revered in such a way within in a country so synonymous with cycling as the Netherlands. Over 40% of all journeys in Assen are by bicycle and the city center is closed completely to motor traffic.

Keen motorcyclists and fans of MotoGP will certainly know Assen for its role in staging the Dutch TT, or tourist trophy. This is held each year on the last Saturday in June at a venue which is described as the Cathedral of motorcycling. This is the TT Circuit Assen, with a capacity for 100,000 spectators, more than the total population of the city. The Dutch TT has been running in the city since 1925 and, war years apart, has been held every year since, making it the longest running MotoGP event in the calendar. The city has a real festival atmosphere over the weekend of the TT and the hotels can get very busy, so advance booking is highly recommended.

Other major events in the city include the Assen Dance Festival, in November, and, unsurprisingly, many regular cycling events including the Jeugdtour, the Drentse fietvierdaagse and the opening section of the Vuelta a Espana. Permanent attractions include the Drents Museum, and every Wednesday and Saturday an award winning market, regarded as one of the best in the country. The city is developing fast and indeed is the fastest growing city in the northern Netherlands with many employment opportunities. This is reflected too in the increasing number and quality of the hotels in the city and many will serve a dual function in catering for both leisure and business travelers.

While the larger hotels will certainly have the most features, there are accommodations of every description to suit most purposes and budgets. Some have full apartment layouts with separate kitchen and dining areas while others are small but comfortable and well appointed with everything necessary for a short stay in the city. There are plenty of bars, shops and restaurants and most of the larger hotels will have their own dining and lounge facilities on site. Visitor information is widely available and hotels will often offer organized tours and other tourist services for guests to make the most of their time spent in Assen and Drenthe. English is widely spoken and it is a city with a well earned reputation for friendliness.

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