Lower Rhine Houseboats

Reviewed by Emily McDonnell

Eight stylish houseboats - at the edge of a working farm - with modern interiors and spoiling views across the lake from their vast terraces

Type:

Houseboat

Costs:

From €165

Sleeps:

Eight houseboats for 2-5

Where?

Wesel-Bislich, 6-hours from central Berlin

What?

For me, there’s nothing more meditative than watching the waves, and from the expansive terrace at Rhine Houseboats you have the feeling you can wash your busy thoughts away with the water that gently laps against the side of the large wooden houseboat. But this isn’t your standard houseboat, this is a houseboat that you wish was your home: modern interiors, a fireplace and panoramic windows that allow you to spot kingfishers flying past. Plus, in some boats, you even have a private sauna that you can use Finnish style, jumping into the cool lake water after each sauna session.

Owners Dorothee and Volker are dairy farmers and look after the land surrounding the houseboats, and their love of the area shines through. Nature is at the centrepiece of a stay here, and Dorothee and Volker have named the boats after animals you can see in the area, such as Great Crested Grebe, Beaver Castle and Cormorant. Countless hiking and biking routes begin on your doorstep, and you can sample the produce of the land at the farm shop, which is stocked with goodies produced in the region. A stay here helps to slow you down and escape the often rushed pace of life; after just a few days, you’ll feel completely renewed.

Why?

I fell in love because...

Most of the houseboats have a private sauna overlooking the lake: this is romance at its finest
The surrounding area is gorgeous and never gets too crowded: go hiking, biking, canoeing or sit back and just soak it up

You must...

Go fruit picking! The farm is covered in fruit trees and you are more than welcome to pick some cherries, apples and pears
Swim in the lake! There are steps directly into the water from your terrace

You might dislike...

The boats are seemingly close together, but the terraces are huge and feel very private
There’s a minimum stay of 3 nights

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Hausboot Niederrhein

Who?

Introducing Dorothee and Volker!

“Rhine Houseboats is a family-run business, and we have an agricultural background. We created the houseboats to showcase this beautiful corner of the world we get to call home."

‍They love…

‍“The total peace and quiet the landscape provides.”

‍Dorothee and Volker’s insider tips

Spend your evening on the terrace, in the sauna and in front of the fireplace with a glass of wine watching the sunset.
If you’re feeling active, the beautiful Diersfordter Waldsee is perfect for biking or hiking - our favourite routes include Hirschkäferroute, Moorerlebnisweg and Storchenroute.
In the autumn, you can see Arctic wild geese, storks, beavers, great crested grebes, swans and common terns.
We strongly recommend taking a trip on the Rhine ferry Keer Tröch or going on an excursion to the beautiful Diersfordt Castle.

‍

What people
are saying.

“Pure relaxation, we felt very comfortable in the great houseboat. We will be back!”

Eva

“This short break was the BEST thing that could have happen to us. You feel like you are in another world. As soon as you get on the houseboat and look at the calm, crystal clear water, you come down and the recovery begins.”

Rainer

The essentials.

Sleeping arrangements: There are two houseboats that sleep up to 5 (two double bedrooms and a sofa bed), and 6 that sleep up to 3 (one double bedroom and a sofa bed).
Bathroom set up: All houseboats have a shower-only bathroom.
Food: All houseboats have a fully-equipped kitchen (including coffee machine and dishwasher). There’s a bread roll service, where freshly baked rolls can be delivered directly to your door first thing in the morning. On the farm is a small shop for guests where you can buy wine, apple juice and other local produce. There are a few restaurants a short distance away.
For families: Families are welcome, and the two larger houseboats (which do not have saunas) are most suitable as they sleep up to five. A number of the other houseboats (with saunas) sleep up to 3.
On-site equipment: All houseboats come with bed linen, towels, hand washing soap and a hairdryer.
Optional extras: Watersport activities can be arranged on request.
Help: Dorothee and Volker live onsite at the farm, so are around if you have any questions.
Remember to pack: Shampoo and beach towels.‍
Pets: Not allowed.
Sustainability: As owners Dorothee and Volker run a farm, they are especially conscious about the preservation of the land, attaching great importance to the sustainable construction of houseboats and their adaptation to nature.

Where?

Rhine Houseboats is located on Diersfordter Waldsee in Wesel-Bislich.

You can easily drive, and there’s onsite parking for guests.

You can catch the train to Wesel, from where it’s a 30-minute bus ride (though do note that these buses are irregular and don’t run late).