Heerlijkheid Mariënwaerdt, in Beesd in the Betuwe, offers several historic rooms for meetings, congresses, dinners and weddings, with groups from 4 up to 450 guests for business events and up to 500 for a wedding reception. It is a family estate of more than 900 hectares that has belonged to the same family since 1734. Farming on the estate is fully organic, and catering uses its own harvest.
Seminars and company events
The business offer lists eight locations. Hooge Schuur, a barn of 285 m2, takes 60 to 450 guests and is the choice for congresses. Nieuwe Refter, 120 m2, takes 20 to 140. Abtsbouwing, 150 m2, takes 28 to 100. Koetshuis met Paardenstal, 190 m2, takes 16 to 80. Jachtkamer, 90 m2, takes 16 to 70. Grote Hooiberg, 50 m2, takes 14 to 50. Proeflokaal Marie, 90 m2, takes 16 to 25. A separate meeting room in the Abtsbouwing cottage takes 4 to 8 people for a brainstorm or a management day.
The official site does not describe layouts, so ask the team which setup applies to your format. The estate also promotes seasonal business events, such as corporate Christmas gatherings.
Weddings and receptions
The Koetshuis, an original coach house of 89 m2, is the official wedding location. It connects to the Paardenstal, which serves for the reception after the ceremony. Couples can also hold an outdoor ceremony in the orchard, in a French-style setting. The legal ceremony is arranged with the municipality of West Betuwe.
For larger weddings, the other rooms are available. The Hooge Schuur seats 250 for dinner, takes 500 for a reception and 140 for a ceremony. The Abtsbouwing seats 80 for dinner and takes 170 for a reception. The Nieuwe Refter seats 96 for dinner and 140 for a reception. The Jachtkamer seats 50 for dinner and 80 for a reception.
Rooms and capacities
The business capacities are listed above. The wedding capacities differ, because they are given per format: dinner, reception and ceremony. The Koetshuis takes about 70 for dinner and 80 for a reception, according to the wedding page, though the table is not fully clear. The Grote Hooiberg takes 20 for dinner and 35 for a reception and is used for summer weddings only.
Accommodation
Three places to stay are on the estate: the holiday cottage Buitenleven, the Abtsbouwing cottage and B&B De Neust. The official pages do not give bedroom numbers, so ask how many guests they sleep before you plan a stay for a group.
Catering
Catering is part of the booking, as a location cannot be rented without ordering catering. The offer covers drinks with snacks, lunches and dinners, and for weddings a multi-course dinner, a barbecue or a food truck. Menus can be adapted. The Jachtkamer offers a game dinner for groups from 30 people. The estate restaurant De Stapelbakker cooks with the estate's own organic produce.
History and setting
The estate has been in the same family since 1734 and is open for walking and cycling. It sits on the edge of the village of Beesd, in the center of the Netherlands. Several historic buildings are available for hire.
Getting there
The estate offices are at 't Klooster 5, 4153 RR Beesd. The restaurant and the estate shop are at Oude Waag 21 in Beesd. The site describes the location as central and easy to reach, but gives no station or driving times, so check access with the team.
