History

In 1939, Martien and Rie van der Valk together started a restaurant in Voorschoten. With hard work and a hospitable, homely approach, their own business became a success.

In the years after the Second World War, they, together with their 11 children, built a number of restaurants. Nowadays, the company has been expanded by their grandchildren and great-grandchildren into the largest hospitality group in the Netherlands, with nearly a hundred hotels and almost everywhere a family member at the helm.
The vision of hospitality from Martien and Rie still forms the basis of the successful "Van der Valk formula". Their attitude and entrepreneurial spirit serve as an example for younger generations of "Valken".

In 1993 Van der Valk took over the then Novotel in Venlo and in 2000 the complex was expanded with a new tower, increasing the total number of rooms to 149 and expanding the number of meeting rooms by four to ten. Currently, Hotel Venlo employs 160 staff members. In 2018, Van der Valk Hotel Venlo celebrated its 25th anniversary, and in 2019 the hotel underwent another renovation. With an eye to the future, the hotel was renovated to the new standard, and in 2021 the new hotel opened with 168 rooms, 12 meeting rooms, 3 restaurants, and a luxury top floor for events. In the coming years, a great deal of attention will be devoted to an even bigger sustainable image within Van de Valk Hotel Venlo. Continuous investments are being made in the company and the employees.

Mr. and Mrs. Van der Eijk lead as the 4th generation of Van der Valk Hotel Venlo. Previously, they were the management of Van der Valk Hotel Melle in Germany. Before that, they worked for many years in various Van der Valk Hotels. The 5th generation is in training.