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A place with a story
When you step inside De Prins, you step into a little piece of Zutphen’s history.
For centuries, this part of the city, close to the historic centre and the river Berkel, has been a place to eat, drink, stay the night and meet others. The name De Prins is anything but new.
As early as 1711, records mention an inn called De Prins on the Barlheze. This inn would later develop into an accommodation house and Hotel De Prins.
More than three centuries later, this special place once again carries its historic name.
Welcome to Café Hotel De Prins.
By the old Marspoort
De Prins is located on Marspoortstraat, close to where one of Zutphen’s historic city gates once stood: the Marspoort.
The Marspoort was first mentioned in 1393 and for centuries served as an important gateway into the city. Travellers entered and left Zutphen here on their way towards the river IJssel, the Veluwe and the surrounding countryside.
This made the area around the city gate a natural meeting point for travellers, trade and inns.
The gate itself was demolished in 1820, but its name lives on. Today, when you walk from De Prins towards Zutphen’s historic centre, you are following a route that people have been using to enter the city for centuries.
Inn De Prins
The name De Prins appears in the history of this area as early as 1711. An inn on the Barlheze would later develop into an accommodation house and Hotel De Prins.
And in those days, an inn was much more than simply a place to spend the night.
An advertisement from 1856 describes Logement De Prins as a thriving establishment with several rooms, an open courtyard and its own stables.
Travellers did not arrive by train or car, of course, but on foot, by carriage or on horseback. While guests could eat, drink and spend the night inside, their horses could be looked after too.
Its purpose was therefore surprisingly similar to that of today: a place to arrive, enjoy a meal or drink, meet people and rest for the night before continuing your journey.
De Prins through the years
The world around De Prins changed.
The city gates disappeared, horse-drawn carriages gave way to other forms of transport and Zutphen expanded beyond its old city walls. Yet De Prins remained associated with hospitality and accommodation for many years.
Hotel De Prins was still part of the city in the twentieth century. Historical material from 1958, for example, mentions the garage of Hotel De Prins at the rear of the Barlheze. Objects dating from 1957–1960 also survive bearing the name Hotel De Prins – Café Restaurant, at Marschpoortstraat 17–19.
The name De Prins has therefore welcomed generations of Zutphen residents and travellers.
De Prins today
In 2026, a new chapter began.
The characteristic building was brought back to life as Café Hotel De Prins: a place where you can start the morning with breakfast and coffee, join us for lunch or drinks in the afternoon and stay for dinner in the evening.
And if you don’t feel like going home afterwards, all you have to do is walk upstairs.
Above the café and restaurant are 15 unique hotel rooms, each with its own character.
In many ways, De Prins has once again become what it was centuries ago: a place where locals, visitors and travellers come together to eat, drink, meet and stay the night.
Enjoy downstairs. Sleep upstairs.
In the heart of historic Zutphen
The history continues as soon as you step outside our doors.
Zutphen is one of the oldest cities in the Netherlands and, thanks to its location on the river IJssel, developed into an important trading centre. As a Hanseatic city, Zutphen maintained trading connections with cities throughout the Netherlands and beyond.
That history can still be seen everywhere today.
Walk from De Prins into the city and you will pass historic façades, churches, courtyards, warehouses and streets that have followed the same pattern for hundreds of years.
The Walburgiskerk, the Librije, the Wijnhuistoren, the historic markets and the river Berkel are all within walking distance.
And the best part? From De Prins, there is no need to arrange transport. Simply step outside and start exploring the historic city centre.
The Berkel on our doorstep
The river Berkel flows right behind De Prins.
Water has been part of Zutphen’s story for centuries and remains one of the most beautiful ways to experience the city. From our terrace, you can look out over the water and see Zutphen from a different perspective.
Walk along the Berkel, discover the city from the water or simply take a seat on our terrace for coffee, lunch or a glass of wine.
To us, the Berkel is more than the view from De Prins. It is part of this place.
From Hanseatic city to the Achterhoek
Zutphen is also an ideal starting point for discovering the surrounding area.
Hop on your bike and within minutes you can leave the city behind. Follow the Berkel, cycle along quiet country roads and discover the villages, estates and green landscapes of the Achterhoek.
There is plenty to discover on foot too.
That is why we like to think of De Prins as more than simply a place to spend the night.
Start your morning with breakfast downstairs before heading into the city or setting off by bike. Return in the afternoon for a drink by the Berkel, join us for dinner in the evening and then simply head upstairs to your room.
The next morning? You can start all over again.
Discover De Prins and Zutphen for yourself
Whether you stop by for coffee, join us for lunch by the Berkel, stay for dinner or spend an entire weekend discovering Zutphen: you are always welcome.
We may no longer need the horse stables.
But the tradition of hospitality is one we are very happy to continue.
Welcome to Café Hotel De Prins.
