Fort Resort Beemster – A Hidden Oasis in the Dutch Countryside

BY TIM CARBURY, BERTHON SALES GROUP

Photography © Fort Resort Beemster

^ Fort Resort Beemster Spa and Wellness Resort

Fort Resort Beemster is a special and rather magical place! I was very kindly invited there in May 2025 by Frank Bart to attend the launch party of his deeply cool St-Barth 85 Fly. Frank owns both St-Barth Yachts and Fort Resort Beemster. The shipyard sits in Enkhuizen, in the Netherlands and I was attending as Central Agent for Frank and the yard.

The sun was out, the weather forecast was perfect, and the launch ceremony was a real joy, as the yacht glistened in the spring sunshine from start to finish. With the music pumping and the champagne flowing, I thought to myself, “as a yacht broker, what could possibly be better?” Little did I know that it was about to get even better as myself and a few other launch party guests were going to be treated to dinner and an overnight stay at Frank’s world-renowned Spa and Wellness Resort, Fort Resort Beemster.

^ St-Barth 85 Fly | Photo © St-Barth Yachts

A half-hour’s drive from the shipyard, back towards Amsterdam, we arrived at an incredible historic fort. As we pulled up, I remember thinking how deceptive the exterior was. From the outside it is simply impossible to imagine the level of luxury hidden behind those rugged military walls. And then there was the food… we joined Frank in the fort’s Poterne Restaurant, and the meal was truly exceptional thanks to head chef, Paul de Graaf, his highly talented team and the great company I was among.

Fort Resort Beemster sits in the heart of the Beemster Polder, and honestly, it doesn’t have the feel of a hotel; rather you imagine that you have stumbled across a special undiscovered spot, tucked away in the Dutch countryside. Calm waters of canals shimmer around the property, bright green fields stretch out in every direction, and the big sky just swallows you up. The old fortress blends right into everything, grass and water everywhere you look.

^ Fort Resort Beemster

What was once a strategic stronghold has been transformed into an oasis of calm, where thick concrete walls now shelter candlelit spa spaces, luxurious suites and restorative wellness experiences. Beyond the fort, the UNESCO-listed Beemster landscape stretches endlessly in geometric perfection, offering a sense of serenity that feels worlds away from modern life.

A Fort Steeped in History

Dig a little deeper and you discover a fascinating history tucked away beneath the pampering and design. Roaming the fort’s corridors, it is hard to picture this place as a defence post; but between 1889 and 1913 that’s exactly what it was. Called Fort aan de Nekkerweg, it was part of the Amsterdam Defence Line. Back then, the green fields surrounding the fort could be flooded as a defensive measure, with only a handful of raised roads and forts left above water level. The fort’s soldiers thus remained secure, surrounded by thick concrete and earthen walls, bracing for whatever came next.

Over the decades, the fort lived many lives. After World War I, it became a military prison and then an ammunition dump, before falling into disuse for nearly thirty years. Most places would have just faded, but not this one. Frank saw its potential and brought it back to life, carefully restoring much of the original metalwork, vaulted corridors, and historic architectural details. The fort’s old bones remain; it’s just that today they serve a different purpose. Heritage is blended with hospitality, and every step you take feels grounded in real history.

Luxury, Wellness and Unforgettable Dining

When I arrived at the fort, I was greeted by the staff and led to my room for the night, and wow!! The rooms and suites offered to guests are very special. They were previously used as the fort’s ‘Men’s Rooms’ or located in what was the fort watchman’s house. If you wish, you can do something truly magical and sleep under the stars in the unique hideaway on the island of ‘Klein Bali’. All the rooms and suites are finished to the highest of standards. Knowing Frank, I could immediately see his hand in all the finishes and detailing throughout the fort, using the same style and attention to detail seen on his yachts .

Before dinner, I spent a couple of hours in the eco-chic spa and wellness area, where again I was utterly stunned by the level of luxury and style and massively high standards at the fort. The options available to me were a little overwhelming for a mere yacht broker, so I decided to quite literally ‘dip’ into all of them. If I were asked what the highlight was, I genuinely could not say. The saunas are unique and there are many of them! You can choose an indoor or outdoor sauna, and then there are variations on these: the caldarium, the wood-fired Maa sauna, the Kelo sauna, the Himalayan salt stone sauna, the bird’s nest sauna, the bat sauna, the botanical sauna or the infrared sauna – and these are just the saunas!

After my sauna experience, I had a cold shower and relaxed in the hot spring. Again, my options for bathing experiences were mind-boggling.

^ Bird’s Nest Sauna

The call to dinner was close, so I hopped over the stepping stones and across the fort moat for another warm-up in the bird’s nest sauna and ended this magical experience with a swim in the stunning and tranquil swimming pond.

A truly magical day including the spectacular six-course menu accompanied by some very fine wines followed by a very deep and restful sleep.

Fort Resort Beemster is extraordinary, and you really should give it a go. It’s super close to Schiphol Airport, so do visit the website which you will find on the Contents page and make it a date – or several dates. Another visit to this great place is for sure on my bucket list – so maybe see you there!

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