Eighty Years of Hospitality: The Ekelschot Family Journey

If you value experiences shaped by care, continuity, and craft, you’ll feel the difference of Eighty Years of Hospitality the moment you arrive. Since 1935, the Ekelschot family has turned a small local venture into a nationally recognized hospitality enterprise, where personal involvement and professional execution come together across restaurant, catering, and events. In this article, you’ll discover how that heritage lives on today at De Heeren van Montfoort, the historic Commanderije van Sint Jan, and the beloved Tuin de Hoge Waard—and how it translates into remarkable moments for your guests.

From 1935 to Today: A Family Legacy with National Recognition

The Ekelschot family has been active in hospitality since 1935. Over more than eight decades, what began as a modest family business has grown into an organization with nationwide recognition. Today, three pillars define this legacy:

• De Heeren van Montfoort — the culinary heart and a unique location for events.
• De Commanderije van Sint Jan — a historic chapel, fully redesigned in 2024 with a stylish interior, bringing modern elegance to a centuries-old setting.
• De Tuin de Hoge Waard — a beloved location that adds garden ambiance and outdoor charm to your program.

Across these locations, you’ll find restaurant experiences, tailor-made catering, vibrant parties/borrels, and inspiring meeting possibilities—consistently delivered with warmth and precision.

Hospitality You Can Feel: Personal Leadership, Professional Craft

At the core of Eighty Years of Hospitality is personal involvement. Owner Geke Ekelschot leads the operation and is often present on the floor, ensuring guests feel genuinely welcomed. Her companion, chef Michael Verkleij, leads the kitchen, where De Heeren van Montfoort crafts catering and menus cared for down to the last detail.

This hands-on leadership reflects a truth widely seen in family-run hospitality: continuity of values leads to consistency of experience. Decisions are made close to the guest, and pride of place guides every detail—from the first greeting to the final course.

Culinary Excellence, Seamless Events

The team at De Heeren van Montfoort combines characterful heritage with modern comfort, enabling you to bring everything under one roof:

• Meetings that transition naturally into a borrel or evening dinner.
• Feesten/borrels with thoughtful flow, clear timing, and guest-centric service.
• Catering crafted by the in-house culinary team, tailored to your goals and tastes.

For business occasions, Private Dining offers a professional setting with culinary flair—think presentations, product launches, relationship events, networking drinks, or staff celebrations. The team can switch intelligently between formats—from focused presentations to festive closings—so your content, pace, and hospitality feel cohesive. With the ability to accommodate from 10 to 200 persons, the setting, menu, and styling scale to fit your brand and moment.

Spaces That Tell a Story

A stunning setting elevates every experience. At De Heeren van Montfoort, you’ll find:

• Different stylish rooms suitable for compact meetings or large events.
• Terraces and garden options for arrivals, breaks, or drinks—outdoor moments that add freshness to your program.
• De Commanderije van Sint Jan, the historic chapel now refreshed with a 2024 redesign, where heritage and contemporary design meet.

Top interior designer Eric Kuster contributed a striking modern look to the meeting spaces that perfectly complements their historic character—delivering a setting that feels both atmospheric and on-point for today’s standards.

Easy to Reach, Easy to Relax

Great events start with smooth logistics. The locations are centrally positioned in the Netherlands, with excellent accessibility:

• By car: just 5 minutes from the A12 and A2.
• From nearby cities: about 15 minutes from Utrecht and 30 minutes from Amsterdam, Rotterdam, and Den Bosch.
• Parking: ample space for large groups, plus the option to rent 50–60 private parking spaces, including professional parking attendants for guidance.
• Overnight stays: Hotel Montfoort is within walking distance.
• Public transport: bus lines 107 and 207 connect to Gouda and Utrecht; De Heeren van Montfoort is approximately 400 meters from the stop.
• Wayfinding: clear route descriptions and good signage make arrival effortless.

For directions and planning, see Adres & Route. For questions, reach out via Contact.

Service That Makes Your Day

Family heritage shows in service culture. Expect personal contact with experienced coordinators, clear communication and fast responses, and a shared playbook across the team so nothing is overlooked. The staff are friendly, flexible, and professional, and they gladly accommodate allergies and dietary needs. Most importantly, service is consistent and generous—from initial planning to final farewell.

And because tasting inspires confidence, you can sample the style in advance with a tasting lunch or dinner.

Quick Answers: What You’ll Want to Know

What is De Heeren van Montfoort?

De Heeren van Montfoort is a unique location for events that brings together restaurant quality, tailored catering, and flexible spaces for meetings, parties, and private dining—all with historic character and modern comfort.

What is the Commanderije van Sint Jan?

The Commanderije van Sint Jan is the historic chapel available as a distinctive event and meeting space, fully redesigned in 2024 to feature a refined, stylish interior.

Who leads the team?

Owner Geke Ekelschot leads daily operations and is regularly present with guests. Chef Michael Verkleij heads the kitchen, ensuring culinary quality and detail.

How accessible is the venue?

• 5 minutes from the A12 and A2
• 15 minutes from Utrecht; 30 minutes from Amsterdam, Rotterdam, and Den Bosch
• Ample parking, with optional 50–60 private spaces and professional attendants
• Bus lines 107 and 207 to Gouda and Utrecht; about 400 meters’ walk to De Heeren van Montfoort
• Hotel Montfoort within walking distance

Why Family-Run Makes a Difference

In hospitality, family stewardship often means values are lived, not just listed. The result is:

• Consistency: the same standards applied across restaurant, catering, and events.
• Ownership of detail: a direct line from leadership to guest experience.
• Warmth with precision: a culture that’s both welcoming and well-organized.

At De Heeren van Montfoort, this comes to life through visible leadership, a culinary team that takes pride in craft, and coordinators who plan with empathy and foresight.

Practical Takeaways for Your Planning

Use these steps to translate Eighty Years of Hospitality into your best event yet:

1. Define your purpose: meeting, celebration, launch, or network moment. Clarity shapes the room setup, menu, and flow.
2. Choose your setting: a historic chapel ambiance, a stylish room, or a garden/terrace moment for reception and breaks.
3. Plan the flow: combine meeting → borrel → dinner so guests transition smoothly without changing venues.
4. Book a tasting: confirm menu direction with a tasting lunch or dinner for alignment on flavor and style.
5. Account for access: share route info and parking options with guests; consider renting private spaces with attendants for peak arrival times.
6. Note dietary needs: inform the team early—allergies and diets are handled with care.
7. Consider overnight stays: Hotel Montfoort is a short walk away for added convenience.
8. Take a tour: visit in person or request the 360-degree tour to finalize room choice and staging.
9. Coordinate with one team: keep planning streamlined—restaurant, catering, and events are aligned under one roof.

For inspiration, explore:

• Restaurant — lunch, dinner, and private dining possibilities.
• Catering — tailored options for events on-site or at select locations.
• Contact — questions, ideas, or special requests.

Conclusion: Heritage You Can Taste and Feel

Eighty Years of Hospitality is more than a milestone—it’s a living promise at De Heeren van Montfoort: warm, personal service; refined food from a dedicated kitchen; and characterful spaces that elevate any occasion. From the renewed elegance of the Commanderije van Sint Jan to the garden charm of De Tuin de Hoge Waard, every detail is shaped by the Ekelschot family’s enduring love for hosting, good food, and unforgettable moments.

Ready to plan your visit or request a proposal?

• Call 0348 47 12 29 or email info@deheerenvanmontfoort.nl
• Visit us at De Heeren van Montfoort, Hoogstraat 41, 3417 HB Montfoort
• Explore Adres & Route, Restaurant, and Catering to get started

Experience what Eighty Years of Hospitality feels like—crafted by people who treat every event as if it were their own.