History

125 years on the boulevard

We'd like to take you on a journey through the history of the Two Brothers Noordwijk Beach Hotel, better known in 1899 as Hotel Pension Noordzee. One of the oldest and most striking hotels on the boulevard, it was commissioned by shipowner Willem van Beelen. It had 50 rooms. On either side of the hotel were villas named Anna (left) and Christina (right). Later, the right-hand villa, Christina, was replaced by the striking tower, which is still in use today and, since 2021, houses three Junior Suites named after the former villas.

Several celebrities have stayed here over the years, including Sigmund Freud. The psychologist stayed at the hotel-guesthouse for an extended period in 1910. This holiday is best known for his conversations with the composer Gustav Mahler, who visited him at the hotel. From there, they took a walk to Leiden. On the way, they had a long conversation that has been much talked about ever since. (Photo: Max Halberstadt)

In 1914, at the outbreak of World War I, the hotel became a refuge for Duchess Alix Jeanne Marie von Arenberg, who had fled from Belgium. She came to Noordwijk with her entire court.

In 1920, the hotel tower was temporarily used as a birdwatching station by Noordwijk biologist Jan Verwey. The son of renowned Noordwijk poet Albert Verwey, he was interested in nature, especially birds, from a young age and published his work on the subject at the age of 16 in the magazine "De Levende Natuur" by Jac. P. Thijsse. At the then-Hotel Noordzee (now Two Brothers), Jan gave a slide lecture for the youth of Noordwijk. With friends, he founded the Noordwijk Bird Migration Station on the hotel roof. This is now the location of our Stiltwalker Suite! Sit on the roof terrace and watch the coastal birds as they did in 1920.

Every first Saturday of the month, from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM, there is a drop-in morning at the Jan Verwey Center in Noordwijk.