The Oostwegel Collection specializes in restoring historic castles, farmhouses and monasteries, giving them new life as luxurious hotels and restaurants.
Oostwegel Collection consists of three luxury hotels and eight restaurants in South Limburg, a region in the southernmost part of the Netherlands. Maastricht is the capital of the area, which borders Germany and Belgium; Cologne and Brussels are both less than one hour away.
Owner Camille Oostwegel creates an ‘artful fusion of culture, service and gastronomy’, demonstrated by its recent €11.1 million expansion of the Château St. Gerlach Estate, a luxury hotel with 113 hotel rooms, suites and apartments, three restaurants, spa, conference rooms and park.
ST. GERLACH PAVILION & MANOR FARM
Dating back to 1668, the Manor Farm at the entrance to the estate was entirely restructured and transformed in 2017 into a coffee venue. The new built St. Gerlach Pavilion is a state-of-the-art meetings and events venue accommodating up to 1,000 guests.
“Each location within the Oostwegel Collection has its own experience. The locations are very different, but all very beautiful and equipped with every luxury and convenience,” says Bart Kockelkoren, Head of Engineering / Construction Coordinator.
“We want the best for our customers and so we choose the best equipment. It is nice to work with such old buildings, but because they are national monuments, you are very limited in what is or is not possible. This makes it very challenging to get certain things done.”
A variety of MEIKO equipment has been installed at St. Gerlach including M-iClean U undercounter glasswashers with GiO integral reverse osmosiswater treatment, DV 80.2 door type dishwashers and an M-iQ K-S54P8 basket transport machine with a capacity of 141 baskets per hour, or up to 2,538 plates/h.
WHY DID CHÂTEAU ST. GERLACH CHOOSE TO WORK WITH MEIKO MACHINES?
“My experience with MEIKO equipment has always been good,” says Bart Kockelkoren. “The messages from the market and our advisors on kitchen equipment are also positive about the quality of the MEIKO products."
“The price, the build-quality and the materials, all are very good; there really is nothing to criticize.
“MEIKO dishwashing machines come with excellent service. MEIKO Nederland provides pleasant cooperation, their service and quality is very professional.
“Technically, the washing results are what you expect from a high-quality machine; the dishes are really clean and dry and the GiO reverse osmosis is important to achieving a high-quality finish on glassware.
“But the ability to handle large quantities is a priority. The capacity of MEIKO M-iQ K-S54 basket transport machine is so great that we really have to work with a smart and qualitatively good system for both loading and clearing dishes.
“The MEIKO dishwashing machines have helped us by reducing the need for manpower. This has saved staff and that is important in this time when it can be difficult to get skilled staff.
“Health and safety and energy recovery are also advantages. Sustainability is our top priority. We want the best for our customers and the environment, so we choose the best equipment.”
* January 2018: St. Gerlach Pavilion & Manor Farm was voted ‘Best Meeting Location of the Year 2017’ in The Netherlands, beating nine other finalists to claim the title.
