History Hotel Schaepkens van St. Fijt

From Past to Present

On March 1st, 1885, Hotel Schaepkens van St. Fijt opened its doors. The family name became the hotel name—and it has remained unchanged ever since.

Looking back, Valkenburg looked very different at that time. The Nieuweweg, where the hotel is located, was then an unpaved road, lined with large oak trees. Behind these trees, the hotel was hidden, and guests reached the entrance via a long driveway.

The building itself was partly constructed of stone and partly of wood. While most of the roof was covered with tiles, the “Schaepskooi” (sheep barn) had a thatched roof—something that would later play a role in the destruction of the entire property.

Even in those days, Valkenburg was already a popular holiday destination, with hotels and small souvenir shops. Excursions by coach were organized to the Ardennes and the Eifel. The hotel even owned its own coach, painted black with the hotel’s name in white letters. During the Second World War, the hotel experienced a notable period.

Hotel Schaepkens was already well-known back then, and even today we still hear guests say: “My grandparents stayed here,” or “My parents came here on holiday,” or even “I stayed here 50 years ago.”

At the time, the hotel had a rustic, countryside charm, with an excellent kitchen and around 80 comfortable rooms. There were no elevators yet, but large staircases. The hotel featured a cozy garden with intimate seating areas, both indoors and outdoors. It also had a modern telephone system—the number was simply “3,” later expanded to “2000,” and today it is 6012000.

On March 6th, 1923, the hotel was taken over by the Stevens family. Under the leadership of the three Stevens brothers, the hotel evolved further. They organized many activities, including the very first hospitality trade fair, originally called the “BBB Fair” (Butter, Bread, and Beer), which later evolved into what is now the largest hospitality trade fair in the southern Netherlands, held at the MECC in Maastricht.

A New Era – The Jaspers Family

In 1972, the hotel came into the hands of the Jaspers family, who had previously run Hotel De Kroon. Mrs. Jaspers ensured the hotel became a place where guests felt completely at home. The hotel underwent major renovations, with further plans for improvement—plans that would soon be interrupted.

The Fire

On April 14th, 1977, a beautiful spring day turned into disaster. Around 3:00 PM, a fire broke out near the old sheep barn, which had been converted into the hotel bar. A small fire used to burn paper spread due to wind and ignited the thatched roof.

Within a short time, the fire spread rapidly. Despite the efforts of fire brigades from Valkenburg, Heerlen, and Maastricht, the entire hotel complex was destroyed. It became one of the largest fires in Valkenburg’s history.

Fortunately, no people were harmed, although the family dog did not survive. The timing was especially tragic, as the hotel was due to reopen for the season just before Easter. All guest records were lost in the fire, creating great uncertainty.

However, support quickly came from loyal guests across the Netherlands, offering help and encouragement. This gave the family the strength to rebuild. Guests were accommodated in other hotels, and plans for reconstruction began almost immediately.

Reopening in 1978

On April 27th, 1978, the new Hotel Schaepkens van St. Fijt officially reopened. The hotel now featured 130 rooms, all with private bathrooms, two elevators, spacious lounges, a large dining hall, and a conversation room with evening entertainment.

Surrounded by terraces and gardens, the hotel also included a large parking area for cars and coaches. From the very beginning, the new hotel welcomed guests from the Netherlands and abroad, including visitors from the UK, Germany, Spain, and Italy.

Over the years, many famous Dutch artists performed at the hotel, including Ronnie Tober, Imca Marina, Frans Bauer, Lee Towers, and many others.

In 1980, an extension—Hotel Residence—was opened, featuring its own à la carte restaurant. Over time, this became fully integrated into the main hotel.

On March 1st, 2015, the hotel proudly celebrated its 130th anniversary—a milestone that reflects a long and rich history, still alive today in the name of Hotel Schaepkens van St. Fijt.