Welcome to Carpe Diem
Welcome to Havezathe Carpe Diem; the place where warmth, attention and a cosy atmosphere come naturally.
Nestled between the farmlands and overlooking the Montferlandse bossen stands our characteristic manor farmhouse, lovingly renovated by us in 2009. Surrounded by fields, woodland and the peace of the Achterhoek, every day here feels like coming home. The ideal place to truly unwind, get a breath of fresh air, enjoy activities, visit towns and villages, or get some exercise.
Our havezathe is called Carpe Diem for a reason. The motto “seize the day” is something you’ll feel in everything we do. From the friendly welcome as you arrive to the care and attention throughout your stay, meal or gathering.
At Carpe Diem, it’s all about feeling and experience. The aroma of freshly ground coffee in our lounge, cheerful laughter around the table, the rustling of the trees outside, and time that seems to stand still for a moment. We are a true family business, with the youngest generation welcoming everyone with genuine hospitality and making every guest feel seen and at home. Whether you come for a relaxing night away, an inspiring meeting, an extensive culinary dinner, or a peaceful moment with a good glass of wine. Our team enjoys working every day to surprise everyone in a warm, personal setting.
A place with a story
Centuries-old history in the heart of the Achterhoek
Every place has a story. At Havezathe Carpe Diem, you can feel that story in everything. From medieval origins to an atmospheric manor farmhouse: here, history, nature and hospitality come together in a truly special way.
In the oldest charters, this estate is mentioned as “Havezathe Groot Vethusen”, present-day Groot Vethuizen. As early as 1179, this place already played a significant role. Radbode II, lord of den Bergh, helped found the Bethlehem monastery near Doetinchem and donated various goods and lands to the monastery, including Groot Vethusen.
A preserved charter from 1234 mentions Groot Vethusen again. In that period, Pope Gregory IX took the Bethlehem monastery under his protection, even when the land was under interdict (a severe ecclesiastical punishment that prohibited sacraments and masses). Even so, in consecrated places such as this outlying farm, services could still be held in silence. The location where Groot Vethuizen now stands was set up at the time as an outlying farm of the Bethlehem monastery: a remote agricultural post where lay brothers and a few monastic priests devoted themselves to arable farming and livestock.
The moats around the farmhouse, now filled in, still bring back memories of that era. They show that the outlying farm was fortified and could be closed off; it was only around 1900 that the moats were filled in and the drawbridge removed. In one of the former moats, a stone gate foundation has even been found.
Life at the outlying farm was not always easy. Because the so-called conversi did not have to take monastic vows, it was sometimes difficult to maintain order. Presumably, this ultimately led to the outlying farm being discontinued.
In 1583, during the Eighty Years’ War, monks from the largely destroyed Bethlehem monastery temporarily settled again at Groot Vethuizen. Count William IV, brother-in-law of Prince William of Orange, mediated in the evacuation of the priests to this safe location.
In later centuries, the estate changed hands several times. In 1880, Groot Vethuizen—also known as “the Bolheimergoed”—was owned by a Dutch priest (Van Loon) who worked in America. In 1884, Johannes Kersjes, born at the nearby Kersjes farm “Het Hof te Braamt”, purchased the estate. The Kersjes family would live and work here for no less than 92 years, until 1976.
After that, there were several owners, until in 2008 René and Marja Wijnands, owners of hotel Carpe Diem in Zeddam, purchased the farmhouse. With the move of their hotel to Groot Vethuizen, this historic location was given a new purpose. And so a new chapter began in the rich history of this special place: a story in which centuries-old history, genuine hospitality and a future-focused vision come together in harmonious balance.
In 2015, Hotel Restaurant Havezathe Carpe Diem suffered a great loss when owner René Wijnands unexpectedly passed away at the age of 58. However, his life’s work was continued with the same dedication by his sons Bart and Pim, together with son-in-law Rick Splitthoff. Under their leadership, the family business continued to develop successfully, with respect for the rich history and the values Mr Wijnands had built.
In 2021, Bart chose to take a new path and embrace a new challenge. Today, Rick and Pim, together with a close-knit and dedicated team of familiar faces, are ready every day to welcome their guests with passion and pleasure. In this centuries-old havezathe, history and hospitality still come together. Guests enjoy a relaxing overnight stay, a flavoursome dinner, an inspiring meeting, a cosy drink or an unforgettable wedding. In this way, the story of Havezathe Carpe Diem is written a little further every day.