Dear guest,
We hope you look forward to your stay at Cocondo. To make sure you wil have pleasant stay, we will share some important information and tips.
Facilities / ground rules
Accessibility / Parking
Our process of obtaining all permits was long. Partly due to concerns from the residential area about parking nuisance and the blocking of exits. In order to accommodate each other, we have agreed that guests will park in this (free) parking lot.
Coming by metro? The bunker can be reached after a (beautiful) hike of 15 minutes from the Beach Station. Bicycles can be parked in front of the bunker.
Checking in and out.
Self-check-in is possible from 15:00 by using the keybox. We will sent to you the code a week in advance. Check-out is possible up to 11:00 by placing back the key in the keybox. Be aware: always close the safe with the arrow downwords. When leaving it is not necessary to remove the bedding, but It’s nice if we can see what has been used or not. Used towels can be placed on the steel bars (not on the rusty steel door).
Bedding and towels
We provide the bedding and towels. You will sleep wonderfully under products of Yumeko. Do you need extra blankets? You can find spare blankets for the sleep-fauteuil underneath the right side of the bed downstairs. More towels can be found underneath the washstand in the bathroom. There is also soap and shampoo available from Marcel’s Green Soap.
Dirty bedding is collected weekly (usually on Mondays) by the laundry service from an underground storage area behind the trash containers. They try not to disturb anyone, but it might be slightly noticeable when the gate is opened and closed.
Kitchen
The bunker has a fully equipped kitchen, including oil, tea and coffee. Cups voor Nespresso are always in stock. If you prefer filter coffee, please bring your own grounded beans (so you can make sure it’s fresh). Filters are present. The teabags and coffee-pads are bio degradable so you can dispose them with the organic waste. Any fresh and clean leftovers from your stay? We prefer not to throw anything away, so feel free to leave it for the next guests.
Lights
Aptum made an installation for the living room, which includes a remote control that hangs on the wall. With 8 different programs you can choose an atmosphere. The lighting behind the curtains in the bedroom works with the wall switches.
The lighting for the kitchen works with a small black button that’s placed at the far right end on the shelf. There is also a small light above the furnace.
Wifi
The WiFi network is called Cocondo and the password is telefoonj1.
Toilet / shower
Everything works on (green) electricity, including hot water. This requires a lot of energy, so enjoy your shower, but also keep the environment in mind. Wastewater is milled underneath the bunker and pumped up. All the pipes are buried meters deep, so we want to prevent blockages. Therefore, do not flush large food scraps down the sink or tampons or sanitary towels down the toilet. Only use our own toilet paper (modestly).
Heating / ventilation
We heat the bunker automatically with underfloor heating. The temperature on the display during the summer is the floor temperature. You can temporarily adjust the thermostat by pressing the temperature and selecting the duration. Is it below 10 degrees outside? Then the floor will not be able to warm the bunker above 18 degrees, and the pellet stove provides a solution. It can be turned on by holding the on/off button for a few seconds. The startup takes a while, and afterwards, you can adjust the flame size (pot 1-5). Extra pellets are in the black bin near the entrance. The radiator in the bedroom can be adjusted as desired.
In the bedroom, there is forced ventilation in the morning and during the day, and an air dehumidifier/purifier is running. Don’t be alarmed by the noises; the equipment automatically turns off in the evening
Outdoors
There is a hatch outside under the alcove bed. Behind it, you’ll find cushions, the parasol, and hammocks for the trees. Please return them after use due to weather conditions. Playing amplified music outside is not allowed.
The local flora and fauna
The Vinetaduin is a vulnerable Natura 2000 area. Please stay within the enclosure, especially on the roof, where it’s difficult for greenery to take root. To monitor Cocondo’s impact on nature, a wildlife camera is installed in the chimney. So far, it has recorded foxes, sand lizards, stone martens, stoats, and two house cats from the villa neighborhood.
Bats are well-suited to bunkers. Hundreds use the bunkers in Vinetaduin for hibernation. Between May and October, they hunt at dusk. During this period, a ‘bat detector’ is available in the bunker. With it, you can hear the high-frequency sounds used by bats for navigation. Each species has its own pitch. We recommend exploring the forest at dusk during calm weather and searching for water, where bats hunt insects. Did you know that a single bat can catch up to 2,000 mosquitoes per day? That’s quite a few fewer mosquito bites.
Our personal tips for the area.
Groceries
For groceries you can visit the center of Hoek van Holland. Within walking distance there is also the Vakantiesuper Hoogzand for fresh bread and small groceries (between April – October).
The Noorderpier
The village of Hoek van Holland and all its defensive structures emerged after the construction of the Nieuwe Waterweg in 1872. To prevent this important shipping route to Rotterdam from silting up, long piers were built on both banks. The 4.5-kilometer-long ‘Noorderpier’ is now a beautiful place to “pierewaaien,” which means catching the wind while ships pass by against the backdrop of the Port of Rotterdam. From the bunker, you can take a pleasant walk to the pier through the dunes.
Van Dixhoorndriehoek and the Spanjaardsuin
Have you noticed that the telephone bunker is quite far from the sea? This is because the ‘Van Dixhoorndriehoek’ was created in 1971, west of the Strandboulevard. It’s a completely new dune, almost one kilometer wide, built as compensation for the first Maasvlakte. The telephone bunker is still located in the original dunes, meaning the sea used to be much closer. To the north, with the construction of the second Maasvlakte, another new dune was formed, called the ‘Spanjaardsduin’, which stretches towards Vluchtenburg. Both dunes offer beautiful hiking and cycling opportunities.
Beaches
Hoek van Holland has several beaches. The ‘Hoekse Strand‘ is a 15-minute walk. This is where the local ‘Hoekenezen’ and water sports enthusiasts go. It is relatively quiet and there are a few beach bars and surf schools. To the south lies ‘Rotterdam Beach‘. Bathers from Rotterdam and nearby cities come here. It is more crowded / lively and there is a dozen of beach pavilions. To the north is ‘Beach Vluchtenburg‘. This beach is more quiet and has two nice beach bars. A long walk or bike ride through the dunes is recommended.
Forrests
South of the Vinetaduin are the Hoekse Bosjes, ideal for a nature walk. Further east lies the ‘Staelduinse Bos.’ As the name suggests, it’s a forest and dune in one, because like the Vinetaduin, this area was once by the sea. In this forest, you can not only enjoy a wonderful walk but also notice three German bunker complexes, including the headquarters of the Hoek van Holland Fortress. Nature has reclaimed the bunkers, with 50 types of moss growing on the lime-rich concrete and various bat species living inside.
Boat Trip with the Hoeksveer
From April to October, the ‘Hoeksveer’ takes 50 minutes to reach Futureland on the second Maasvlakte. The boat sails close to some of the world’s largest cargo ships, and with a bit of luck, you might spot seals along the way. Whether you’re visiting Futureland or just taking a round trip, the ferry offers a unique 1.5-hour experience of the Nieuwe Waterweg and the Port of Rotterdam. Bicycles are allowed on board.
Water sports
We recommend de Surfschool if you want to have surf lessons, go blokarting or sandboarding. Reservations for an activity can easily be made via the website.
Cycling
Hoek van Holland has excellent cycling opportunities. Highly recommended is a bike ride along the coast to the Zandmotor or even The Hague. Want to rent a bike? There are two shops in the centre of Hoek van Holland: Kleijn Tweewielers and Peter van Leeuwen. You can also bring your bike on the ‘Hoeksveer’ to the ‘Maasvlakte’ and visit Future Land.
Food and drinks
Would you rather eat out than cook in the bunker? Plenty of possibilities!
The nearby De Zeetoren is our personal favorite and lies in the dunes. Here you can enjoy delicious food and drinks with a great view.
For a special beach atmosphere and plant-based menu, we recommend Pele’s Surfshack.
Strandtent de Pit on the beach of Vluchtenburg is well known for the free atmosphere and delicious pizzas from their own wood stove.
Also located on the beach of Vluchtenburg is Elements Beach. This special place breathes light and has a menu with only vegetable and organic products.
Just fancy a snack? At the Noorderpier is ‘snackbar de Pier‘, built against a bunker. Here they sell (in their own way) a famous portion of grated chips with a beautiful view over the Nieuwe Waterweg. Or get the homemade fries from Ina’s snackbar, also near the Noorderpier. In the mood for fish? Near the bunker you will find the Hoekse Vishandel in the parking lot. It is the favorite spot for fish among the locals.
Contact
For questions about your stay, please call / sms / whatsapp +31641249432 or send an e-mail to info@cocondo.nl