Hi, I’m Kelly! I’m a New England native currently residing in Asheville, North Carolina. I absolutely love spending my spare time exploring the outdoors across the US, and work opportunities in recent years have let me expand my travels and enjoy some stunning natural beauty in Europe as well.
I now travel to the Netherlands every three months for work and try to add on a new experience every time I’m there. Most recently, I stayed at Cabin ANNA in the De Maashorst nature reserve.
This trip would make a great addition to a visit to Amsterdam if you wanted some time out of the city, or it would be worthwhile on its own if you’re looking for a more secluded, nature-forward experience in a new country. Let’s jump into the details!
Location and Surroundings
There are seven ANNA Cabins in total, all located in the Netherlands. You can read more details about the differences in the cabins below, and also here.
Tranquil Landscapes of De Maashorst
De Maashorst is a nature reserve in the Noord-Brabant region of Holland that has one very special draw: European Bison have been reintroduced here!
The Cabin Anna property here borders the nature reserve, so you are only a few minutes away from some beautiful trails. The Cabin ANNA landscape here is very similar to that of the nature reserve—a beautiful, quiet forest.
Off-Grid Beauty of De Biesbosch
The draw of the Cabin ANNA property in this location is the added privacy and the availability of water activities, too: each cabin comes equipped with a canoe to explore the freshwater tidal area.
De Biesbosch has more opportunities for water activities while still providing forested surroundings for your cabin.
Unique Features of Cabin ANNA
Despite regularly visiting the Netherlands, I don’t think De Maashorst would have been on my radar if it weren’t for Cabin ANNA.
My friends and I first saw the cabin on TikTok (seriously!), and when we found out it was only 15 minutes from where I work, it felt like fate.
The accommodation itself really convinced us to coordinate this trip, and it was everything we expected! It was such a unique lodging experience that I would honestly recommend it as worth an international trip in and of itself.
Innovative Eco-Friendly Design
The cabin at first glance looks like a typical structure, but once you arrive, your check-in host will walk you through “opening up” the ANNA.
The walls are on sliding tracks, allowing you to open them to create a fully glass interior, or you can open the glass to be completely outside!
We found maneuvering the cabin to be very easy, and we had fun playing around with it to allow for an outdoor bath or a starry-sky view while we slept.
Year-Round Comfort and Functionality
We visited in June, which was a comfortable time to stay in the cabin and explore the surrounding areas. It allowed us to keep the cabin open most of the weekend. We also enjoyed having just the glass walls during a few rainstorms, which felt especially tranquil.
However, the cabins are equipped with items to make a winter stay comfortable as well. There are plenty of blankets, a wood-burning stove, and wrapped steel water bottles that they recommend you heat and put at the bottom of the bed to sleep warmly. I would imagine it to be a very cozy spot to visit in the winter!
Privacy and Tranquility
Though there were six Cabin ANNA’s in De Maashorst, we could not see any of the other cabins from ours (we stayed in ANNA Quercus). The way the property is set up allows for complete privacy so that you can relax how you see fit—which is helpful when the whole cabin is fully open or in the mode where there are glass walls! This allows for privacy and comfort when sleeping or taking a bath.
The De Maashorst Cabin ANNA experience is designed with this privacy in mind. Breakfast is delivered to a picnic box outside your property so as not to disturb you. You could easily spend your whole time here simply enjoying the nature and not see a single other person!
The De Biesbosch location is an even more remote choice, since the cabin is located on a peninsula only accessible overnight to Cabin ANNA guests. (Due to its remoteness, there is no breakfast service at this location.)
Sustainable Living Experience
The amenities range a bit depending on which Cabin ANNA you stay in. Still, they all offer a truly immersive way to experience sustainable living without compromising comfort.
Whether you’re using firewood to heat your bathwater or enjoying the natural ventilation of the sliding walls, the design encourages awareness of your energy use exquisitely. Everything feels intentional—like living gently within the landscape instead of just observing it.
This mindfulness is also present in the simplicity of the design: minimal waste, no excess packaging, no Wi-Fi to distract you, and a setup that encourages slowing down. It’s a perfect opportunity to unplug and really settle into your surroundings.
Off Grid in De Biesbosch
The cabins in De Maashorst are fully equipped with electricity (although there is no Wi-Fi, which is terrific for the immersive experience).
However, the cabin in De Biesbosch is entirely off-grid.
Stove-Heated Water System
This means the hot water, stove, and baseboard heating are heated by a fire that you can tend to with firewood provided during your visit.
The check-in process at all Cabin ANNAs included being taught how to use the cabin’s features, so they carefully walk you through the fire maintenance process at the De Biesbosch cabin as well.
Renewable Energy Utilization
De Biesbosch Cabin ANNA is also solar powered, so the electricity is not infinite.
The cabin’s battery recharges on sunny days and stores the energy. The cabin itself uses about 10% of the battery per day. (If the battery ever falls below 30%, a generator kicks on to reboot the battery. However, you are encouraged to watch your energy consumption so you don’t have to listen to a generator during your stay.)
This might take a little getting used to if you’re new to solar, but if you are a seasoned camper or RVer, then the sustainable aspects of the cabins will likely be easy to manage!
Activities and Attractions
These cabins are located in an outdoor lover’s paradise, including nature trails, wildlife viewing, water activities, and more!
Nature Trails and Wildlife Viewing
All Cabin ANNA locations have many nature trails weaving through the serene landscape. You can walk out your door and begin a hike.
Here are some of the animals we saw simply from a leisurely walk through the De Maashorst trails (which would also be fantastic for cycling):
It is worth noting that there isn’t any elevation gain, so the preserves are very accessible for any activity level.
Fun fact: The international airport in Amsterdam is entirely below sea level, which gives you an indication of the area’s topography.
The Cabin ANNAs in De Maashorst are close to the visitor center, which is a great spot to stop to find out about recommended trails. The reserve offers both guided tours to see the wildlife, or you can explore on your own.
The draw of De Maashorst is European Bison and Exmoor Ponies, whereas people often report seeing beavers in De Biesbosch.
De Biesbosch uniquely offers boating and water activities, so if that appeals to you or if you are visiting during the heat of the summer, this might be the better location to visit.
Local Recreation Opportunities
The De Maashorst Cabin ANNAs are closer to local towns, so this one had restaurants, grocery stores, and additional amenities very close by.
Specifically, there was a very cute café called De Boshut within walking distance, which was a great place to grab a beer or coffee and lunch after a morning of wandering the nature reserve.
We spent a pleasant afternoon having drinks and playing Monopoly Deal (which is a perfect travel game by the way!) at De Boshut.
Additionally, since the Netherlands is a reasonably-sized country for daytrips, you could manage to tack some other recreation activities onto your Cabin ANNA experience, such as renting an electric boat in Leiden, taking a canal tour in Amsterdam:
Seeing the tulips at Keukenhof in the spring:
Or venturing out for some of these other nearby adventures:
Bonus Recreation at the Cabin
This isn’t necessarily recreation, but it bears mentioning—cooking in the Cabin ANNA is an activity in itself!
Every morning at the De Maashorst Cabin ANNAs, they deliver you a very generous selection of local breakfast ingredients for you to prepare.
We loved waking up to find out what our picnic basket of the day would be—not exactly foraging, but it felt like a fun surprise. Every day came with bread, cheese, meat, yogurt, and juice, along with a bonus such as ingredients for banana pancakes or a pastry.
Additionally, you can reserve a “Primal Cooking” dinner through the website, where ingredients are delivered for you to prepare your evening meal over the outdoor fire pit.
Planning Your Stay
When deciding on your Cabin ANNA experience, consider both the location and the cabin type that best suits your travel style.
Whether you’re looking for a retreat after a few bustling days in Amsterdam or planning your entire trip around the cabin itself (which I would recommend!), it’s essential to take note of the differences in amenities, privacy, and energy systems between the De Maashorst and De Biesbosch sites.
Understanding Rental Options
When you walk into the private grounds for the ANNA’s, this is the map you encounter:
The map makes it seem like they are closer together than they are, but you really don’t even sense another cabin from your own.
Here are the differences between the cabins in De Maashorst:
ANNA Origin is the original minimalist prototype cabin with a simple, authentic vibe. It sleeps up to two adults (plus up to two dogs), includes a wood‑burning stove and sunken bath inside, but has the shower and toilet in separate outbuildings next to the cabin.
ANNA Stay, comprising Quercus, Cytisus, Ulex, and Molinia, steps up the comfort level: each has a fixed, well-equipped kitchen, indoor shower and toilet, and a loft for two children (or extra guests), making it suitable for up to two adults and two children. Some are pet‑friendly (except Quercus), and Cytisus is closest to the camping grounds, possibly meaning a bit more ambient noise.
ANNA Collection is the newest design with high-end features: a slightly larger footprint, both indoor and outdoor showers, a flush toilet inside, a sliding modular glass shell that enhances the indoor/outdoor feeling, and a more refined and transportable design (available only for two adults and two children, no pets).
And then there is also ANNA Biesbosch, which is located elsewhere, in the De Biesbosch national reserve: completely off‑grid, absolutely remote, sleeps up to two adults plus two children, with an indoor shower and toilet, but no pets and no breakfast service is provided there.
Other than those differences, the cabins within each location are very similar—all equally private and equipped with the same amenities.
If you’re unsure which cabin suits your needs, the website has a helpful comparison section, or you can reach out to their team for guidance.
Selecting Your ANNA
When planning your trip, pay close attention to which Cabin ANNA you are reserving and whether you are booking in De Maashorst or De Biesbosch, so you plan to go to the right place and can decide whether you want the more off-grid experience of De Biesbosch.
Directions and Accessibility
We stayed at a Cabin ANNA in De Maashorst, which is a bit more than an hour’s drive from Amsterdam. You could also fly into the Brussels airport, which is 1.5 hours away.
Although renting a car is the most convenient way to get to this area, the country also has an extremely well-developed train system that can take you to a town nearby, such as Den Bosch or Schaijk.
From there, you could make your way to De Maashorst via bike or taxi, though this would be a bit more complicated than having your own vehicle.
Though I did not stay in the Cabin ANNA in De Biesbosch, this is another option, about an hour from Amsterdam, within one of the country’s national parks.
Interestingly, since this location accessibility is dependent on tides, the website reports there are occasions where you have to time your arrival or departure carefully, so this might not be the best choice if you have a tight schedule.
Booking and Reservations
Booking a stay at Cabin ANNA is a little more involved than a standard hotel, but it’s well worth the planning.
How to Book Your Stay
You can book directly on the Cabin ANNA website.
Since each cabin has fixed check-in/check-out days and a two- to three-night minimum (depending on whether you’re staying on weekdays or weekends), I’d suggest building your itinerary around your ANNA stay, rather than the other way around.
Start by choosing your dates and preferred location on the website, and go from there.
Availability
We booked three months out, and there were only a couple of cabins available. We also had to alter our trip slightly to accommodate the weekday availability.
If you are considering a Cabin ANNA, I recommend reserving it six months in advance. This will allow you to choose your preferred cabin, location, features, and dates with less hassle.
It is also important to note that there is a two- to three-night minimum. Although this is something to plan around, we were glad we were encouraged to stay two nights at our rental. It allowed us to arrive and relax fully, spend the whole next day in the nature reserve, and have an unrushed final morning.
We felt like two nights would have been the minimum to truly experience all that the cabin and the surrounding area have to offer.
Cabin ANNA’s Design and Recognition
These cabins’ interactive architecture is a remarkable example of modular, eco-conscious design.
Aesthetic and Worldly Flair
The shape-shifting cabin was designed by Dutch architect Caspar Schols—it was initially designed for his mother, and then expanded to allow more people to connect deeply with nature.
Interestingly, you can purchase your own Cabin ANNA, and according to the New York Times, there are a few in the works currently in the US!
Awards and Accolades
The cabin is often recognized for its unique design and architecture, with good cause.
Cabin ANNA has won myriad awards, including Ahead Awards 2023, Frame Awards 2023, World Hotel Building of the Year 2022 at the World Architecture Festival, Architizer A+ Project of the Year Award 2021, and Radical Innovation Award 2017, among others.
Cabin ANNA has made such an impression that it’s even been reimagined as a LEGO model—yes, someone submitted it to LEGO Ideas! You can check it out here. It’s a fun nod to just how iconic the design has become.
FAQs and Visitor Information
Some common questions I had before booking were:
Common Inquiries Addressed
Is there Wi-Fi? No—Cabin ANNA is intentionally offline, which enhances the immersive and peaceful environment.
Can I bring my dog? Yes, some cabins are dog-friendly! Check the cabin description carefully, as not all allow pets.
Is it child-friendly? Many of the ANNA Stay cabins and the De Biesbosch cabin accommodate up to two children in the loft space.
What amenities are included? Cooking essentials, towels, bed linens, and basic toiletries are all provided. You won’t need to bring much.
Seasonal Considerations
For those visiting from the US, the weather in the Netherlands is most comparable to the Southern Northeast region (think NY, CT, RI, MA). There are distinct seasons, without any huge outliers. (It would be rare for you to get a crazy heat wave or huge snowstorm to contend with.)
While our summer visit was warm and tranquil, Cabin ANNA is designed to be used year-round. Each season brings its own charm: spring wildflowers, cozy winter snowscapes, vibrant fall leaves, or long, sunny summer evenings.
If you’re visiting in the colder months, you’ll be well-equipped with a wood-burning stove, heavy blankets, and the traditional Dutch trick of warming steel water bottles in hot water and placing them at the foot of your bed. Honestly, it seems like it would be a magical spot in any season.
Customer Support and Contact
All interactions with the contact team were seamless.
Engaging with the Contact Team
Upon booking, you receive an email recommending activities you can add on to your booking, such as the Primal Cooking experience, and they are straightforward to coordinate.
The team is also very communicative. We had a burn ban while we were there, so they emailed ahead of time to let us know that the option to use the outdoor firepit was likely limited and offered alternatives to our dinner plan.
Also of note, everyone we interacted with spoke English, so it was very manageable to navigate any requests.
Wrap Up: A Cabin That’s More Than a Stay
Cabin ANNA is more than just a place to sleep—it’s an experience, an architectural wonder, and a window into a more thoughtful way of living. Whether you’re looking to disconnect from the bustle of modern life, reconnect with nature, or simply try something new, a stay at Cabin ANNA offers a rare opportunity to do so in a peaceful, beautiful, and sustainable setting.
- Cabin ANNA Review: A Stunning Nature Escape in the Netherlands - July 31, 2025