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25 September 2026

Poolside Serenity: Designing a Wellness Retreat in De Kleine Cantharel’s Garden

If you are searching for a group stay that combines privacy, comfort, and time to truly unwind, Poolside Serenity at De Kleine Cantharel’s garden offers an inspiring way to shape your getaway. This private country house on the Veluwe gives groups an atmospheric base for family weekends, team outings, business gatherings, and trips with friends, while the surrounding forest setting invites a slower rhythm from the moment you arrive.

What makes De Kleine Cantharel especially appealing is the balance between exclusive use of a private landhuis and access to extra facilities next to Van der Valk Hotel de Cantharel. That combination makes it easier to build a wellness-minded stay around quiet mornings, restorative afternoons, and easy outdoor moments such as walking, cycling, horseback outings, carriage driving, and heath sessions.

In this guide, you will discover how to design a retreat focused on relaxation, how to structure your day around the wellness garden and swimming pool, and how to turn a group stay into a calm, memorable experience.

What is De Kleine Cantharel?

De Kleine Cantharel is a private group accommodation landhuis on the Veluwe, located by the forest and next to Van der Valk Hotel de Cantharel. It is suitable for:

The setting is designed for groups that want both togetherness and space. Guests have exclusive use of the country house, including spacious living areas, bedrooms, a luxury kitchen, modern bathrooms, and entertainment spaces.

For travellers who want a retreat that feels personal rather than crowded, that private setup matters. It allows the group to move at its own pace, whether the priority is conversation, rest, celebration, or focused time together.

Why a wellness retreat works so well here

A wellness retreat does not need to be complicated. In practice, it means shaping the day around rest, movement, fresh air, and comfortable shared spaces. De Kleine Cantharel supports that naturally because the experience combines three valuable elements:

  1. A private location for your own group
  2. A forest-rich Veluwe setting for outdoor activity and mental reset
  3. Access to hotel facilities, including the wellness garden and swimming pool

This creates a retreat format that feels flexible rather than rigid. Some guests may want a calm morning by the water. Others may prefer a forest walk, a bike ride, or time in the entertainment area before joining the group again. That variety is ideal for mixed groups with different energy levels and expectations.

The wellness garden and pool experience

One of the standout elements behind the idea of Poolside Serenity at De Kleine Cantharel’s garden is access to the wellness facilities at Van der Valk Hotel de Cantharel. Guests can use the wellness garden and swimming pool, creating an easy extension of the private stay.

The wellness garden is described as a green oasis with features that support relaxation and gentle recovery. The setting includes:

This makes it possible to structure your day around small restorative moments instead of one big activity. A few lengths in the pool, time on a lounger, and an unhurried conversation outdoors can completely change the pace of a group stay.

Wellness garden practical details

When planning your retreat, keep these practical points in mind:

Detail Information
Opening hours Daily from 7.00 to 22.00
Adults only 7u-10u and 20u-22u
Swimwear Required in all wellness facilities
Children under 12 Allowed only with adult supervision
Pets Not allowed in the wellness garden
Food and drink Bringing your own food and drinks is not allowed
Available at pool bar Free coffee, tea and water
Bathrobes Available on loan at hotel reception, though stock may be limited

There are also a few usage rules to support a calm environment:

How to design a full wellness day at De Kleine Cantharel

A strong retreat itinerary should feel natural, not overplanned. The goal is to create enough structure to guide the day while leaving space for rest and spontaneity.

Morning: start with stillness and movement

The day can begin with a quiet walk into the forest or a short outdoor moment on the Veluwe. This setting is particularly well suited to guests who want to step outside and immediately connect with nature.

Good morning options include:

For business groups, this is also a strong time for a focused meeting session. A clear morning block often works well before the day opens up into relaxation and informal conversation.

Afternoon: relax, gather, and recharge

Afternoons are ideal for shifting into a slower rhythm. After lunch, guests can move between the living spaces, entertainment areas, and wellness facilities depending on the mood of the group.

The country house itself supports this flexible style of retreat with:

In the basement, guests will find:

That mix is useful because a successful wellness retreat is not only about silence. It is about balance. Some guests restore best by doing very little, while others recharge through light social activity.

Evening: end with atmosphere

Evenings at De Kleine Cantharel are well suited to low-pressure togetherness. After time in the wellness garden, the group can return to the privacy of the landhuis for dinner, drinks, or a quiet evening indoors.

A calm evening retreat format might include:

  1. A final walk outdoors
  2. Time in the wellness garden during evening hours
  3. A shared meal in the house
  4. A relaxed film or game night in the entertainment area

This kind of schedule works especially well for family weekends, team outings, and business stays where connection matters just as much as comfort.

Why the Veluwe setting strengthens the retreat experience

The location of De Kleine Cantharel is central to the experience. As a group accommodation on the Veluwe by the forest, it offers direct access to outdoor activities that naturally complement a wellness stay.

From here, guests can enjoy:

Nature plays an important role in any retreat because it encourages attention, calm, and a break from routine. Even short periods outdoors can help a group slow down and reconnect, whether the stay is social or work-related.

The property is also located near Apeldoorn, Deventer, Amersfoort, Arnhem, and Zwolle, making it an accessible base for groups arriving from different directions.

Poolside serenity for different types of groups

One of the strengths of De Kleine Cantharel is that the same setting can support different goals.

For family weekends

Families often need a location that gives everyone something to enjoy without forcing a fixed agenda. Here, adults can prioritise comfort and downtime while children spend time together under supervision where needed.

For team outings and business stays

For work-related groups, wellness adds something valuable to the stay. It creates room for informal conversation, clearer thinking, and a more balanced rhythm than a standard meeting environment. A private location also supports concentration and discretion.

For friends’ getaways

A group of friends may want a stay that feels special without becoming overly formal. A private landhuis, a pool and wellness garden, and easy access to the Veluwe outdoors create a relaxed but memorable setting.

Practical tips for planning your stay

If you want to build your own version of Poolside Serenity at De Kleine Cantharel’s garden, these practical tips help keep the experience smooth.

1. Plan around energy, not just activities

Do not fill every hour. A wellness-minded stay works best when guests have time to choose between rest, movement, and shared moments.

2. Use the setting in layers

Combine:

That layered approach makes the stay feel richer and more balanced.

3. Keep group expectations clear

If you are organising for a family, team, or business group, share the broad structure in advance. A simple outline helps everyone arrive with the right mindset.

4. Prepare for wellness access

Bring your own bathrobe if you want certainty, and keep the wellness garden rules in mind so the experience stays comfortable for the whole group.

5. Consider extra rooms if needed

Because the location works in partnership with Van der Valk Hotel de Cantharel, guests can also use hotel facilities or book extra rooms. This is especially useful for larger groups or stays with varied accommodation needs.

Quick answers: planning a wellness retreat at De Kleine Cantharel

Does De Kleine Cantharel suit a wellness-focused group stay?

Yes. De Kleine Cantharel combines a private landhuis on the Veluwe with access to a wellness garden and swimming pool, making it suitable for relaxation-centred group stays.

What can guests do besides using the pool?

Guests can enjoy walking, cycling, horseback outings, carriage driving, heath sessions, and time in the house’s living and entertainment spaces.

Is De Kleine Cantharel suitable for business groups as well?

Yes. It is suitable for meetings, team outings, business outings, and company stays, while still offering privacy and relaxation.

Can guests use hotel facilities?

Yes. Guests can use facilities in the hotel or book extra rooms next to the private stay.

What is the parking fee?

Parking entrance park | € 4,90

Guests interested in a wellness-focused trip often also look at related themes when planning a stay, such as:

These themes connect naturally with the way De Kleine Cantharel brings together accommodation, privacy, and shared experiences.

Conclusion: create your own calm at De Kleine Cantharel

Poolside Serenity at De Kleine Cantharel’s garden is not about following a rigid wellness formula. It is about creating the right atmosphere for your group: private, comfortable, and closely connected to nature. With exclusive use of a stylish landhuis on the Veluwe, access to the wellness garden and swimming pool, and opportunities for walking, cycling, meetings, and social time, the stay can be shaped around exactly what your group needs.

Whether you are planning a family weekend, a trip with friends, a team outing, or a business stay, De Kleine Cantharel offers the space to slow down and enjoy quality time together.

If you are ready to plan a private retreat on the Veluwe, request your stay at De Kleine Cantharel and start building a getaway that combines relaxation, atmosphere, and group comfort.