Nov. 2025
Almelo is a historic city in the eastern Netherlands, located in the province of Overijssel. Its roots go back to the Middle Ages, and it has long been a center for textile production and trade. Today, the city is known for its picturesque canals, historic buildings, and a mix of cultural and modern attractions. Almelo strikes a balance between its rich history and a lively, contemporary urban life.
One of Almelo’s most unusual and fascinating landmarks is the Prison Hotel (Huis Van Bewaring), which is housed in a former detention facility. The building dates back several decades and once served as a fully operational prison. In a unique adaptive reuse project, the facility was converted into a boutique hotel, retaining many of its original features, including prison cells and security doors, while being updated with modern amenities. Guests can experience the novelty of sleeping in a former cell, enjoy guided tours of the building, and even dine in spaces that were once part of the prison’s communal areas. The Prison Hotel offers a rare combination of history, architecture, and an immersive storytelling experience that attracts both history enthusiasts and curious travelers.
🍟 What is PUUR ZUID
- PUUR ZUID is a small fast‑food / snack‑bar / cafetaria in Almelo that focuses on high‑quality, handmade fries and simple but good comfort food.
- It’s located at Grotestraat 97B, 7607 CE Almelo.
- The philosophy of PUUR ZUID is “honest, homemade products.” Every day they peel and cut the potatoes by hand and make their fries from scratch — rather than using pre‑frozen fries. This helps preserve the natural flavour of the potato.
👍 What Makes It Special — Menu, Ambience & Quality
- Their fries are often described as “ambachtelijke verse friet” (artisanal fresh fries), with the skin (“skin‑on”) kept on in many cases — giving more potato flavour and a different texture than standard fries.
- Besides fries, PUUR ZUID offers hot dogs, burgers (including beef burgers), snacks like kroketten or frikandel, and other typical Dutch “snackbar” items.
- Many reviews praise the friendly staff, clean and cozy atmosphere, and good value for money. People also like that it feels welcoming and laid-back — a nice spot for a casual bite when strolling around Almelo.
Almelo was primarily a residential town, and we only spent two nights there, so we didn’t have time to explore much during the day. At night, we walked to the nearby restaurant and shopping district in search of dinner. Unfortunately, it was already too late, so we ordered takeout from Puur Zuid to enjoy back at our hotel. Their croquettes and fries were surprisingly simple, yet absolutely delicious.
We stayed at the famous Prison Hotel (Huis Van Bewaring), which was an adventure in itself — and it did not disappoint. I loved the interior of this mysterious hotel. Each room was decorated differently, with unique paintings and designs that matched the individual theme. My room was small but cozy, with a window opening onto my own private balcony. Unfortunately, it was either dark at night or rainy during my stay, so I didn’t really get the chance to enjoy the view.
The hotel’s restaurant quickly became my favorite spot. I enjoyed a long, leisurely buffet breakfast there and even spent the morning working while sitting on the green fabric sofa in the quiet, peaceful atmosphere.
The hotel is just a short walk from the train station, and I enjoyed strolling through the surrounding residential area. The Dutch buildings there were strikingly elegant, perfectly blending traditional and modern architectural styles. I found their design fascinating and a highlight of my brief time in Almelo.
