Ever since I decided to join our family business full-time in 2016, I’ve been doing the best job in the world. But that certainly wasn’t always my plan.

As a little girl, I had just one dream: to become a teacher. So, straight after secondary school, I started teacher training. There, I learnt how to achieve what you want through communication, body language and your voice. But at some point during that course, it dawned on me. I didn’t want to stand in front of a class; I wanted to engage in conversations about behaviour. I switched to the pedagogy programme. In my third year of study, I set up my own business: Opvoedsupport. I worked with children at school and at home, supported parents with parenting questions and helped teachers with issues relating to behaviour in the classroom.

The hotel? As a child, I had absolutely no connection with it. I was actually ashamed of it and wanted nothing more than to live in a normal house. One where you open the front door yourself when someone rings the bell. At our place, you had to go through reception. There was always a member of staff with a question or a comment, so I never really felt like I’d come home. I was put straight to work. A hotel runs 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. As a child, I didn’t understand that.

In 2012, my mother became the sole owner of the hotel. Together with Johan, she took it to the next level. And at some point during that process, something happened that I hadn’t expected. I fell in love with the business. It took me completely by surprise. I was still at university, but I began to wonder more and more whether there was a role for me at the hotel. My mother then gave me some advice that I’ve never forgotten: “The hotel isn’t going anywhere. You can always join the business later.”

Although I really enjoyed working as a teacher, in the end it didn’t feel like the right fit for me. In 2016, I made the best decision of my life. I’m incredibly grateful that I go to work every day with such enthusiasm.

In 2021, my life became even more wonderful: I became a mum to Sophie. Olivia followed in 2023. Being a mum is the best thing that has ever happened to me. Sometimes I do struggle with the fact that I’d actually have liked to be a full-time mum. But it’s precisely because of the hotel that I’m able to spend so much time with my daughters. And I’m grateful for that every single day.

Hotel Asterisk is a family business, and that is exactly what makes it special. Johan and I need each other to make Asterisk a success. We have completely different personalities and therefore each have our own area of responsibility within the hotel. And in June 2026, together we achieved something we’re incredibly proud of: Hotel Asterisk was officially awarded four stars. It’s something we’ve worked hard for and something we’re very proud to have achieved.
I look forward to meeting you, welcoming you to our hotel and telling you all about my city. I hope your stay with us feels like a home away from home.

Welcome to Hotel Asterisk.
Lisa