In all likelihood, the Meiland family is starting a bed and breakfast for the third time. It would be the first time that the reality stars in the Netherlands have started working as B&B owners. And their previous two feats?
The rudder needs to be completely changed, says married couple Martien and Erica Meiland from Noordwijk. That’s why in 2007 they sell their furniture store. In the middle of France, in the town of Thénioux, they buy a dilapidated castle. Their daughters Maxime (10) and Montana (12) also move in with them.
Their adventure is followed by the cameras of I quit. After two years the castle was renovated, but the family realizes that the management of a guest room less fun than expected. Above all Erica longs to return to the Netherlands. She thinks serving guests doesn’t quite suit her.
The family decides to sell the castle and move back to Noordwijk. The Dutch public thanks you I quit get to know the amazing family, even though their popularity was nothing compared to now. The broadcast proved to be a great success and was repeated several times on television.
Meilandjes are becoming more and more popular
From time to time the Meilandjes return to their old castle. Then he starts to itch again: and if they had continued in France? And so the family looks for a new French residence. Meanwhile there is one I quitretrospective broadcast made with the family. As a result, the popularity of the Meilandjes flares up again.
The Facebook videos that Martien records for his furniture store in Noordwijk are also well received. The former lord of the castle has an idea: what if their adventures were covered by cameras again, but this time for a reality show? Producer Vincent TV thinks it’s worth it and starts filming. Finally, SBS decides to broadcast the experiences of the Meilandjes. Not a bad decision, because Meiland Castle it’s still a ratings hit.
At the beginning of 2019, Martien, Erica, Maxime and his daughter Claire will move to Chateau Marillaux in Beynac, about 200 kilometers south of their previous castle. Daughter Montana stays home this time. Again a lot of renovations are needed, which Dutch audiences can follow closely on the popular reality soap.
More than a million people watch as Erica, Martien and Maxime freshen things up and scour the local antique markets for items for their castle. Thanks to the popularity of the series, bookings are pouring in: everyone wants to check out the famous B&B.
A B&B in Noordwijk
History repeats itself: once again the stars of the reality show realize they miss the Netherlands. That realization comes in the midst of the corona crisis. The number of guests is therefore limited. Their housekeeper Nadège, who keeps the castle clean and tidy, is unhappy with their departure. She ends up on the street and even claims that she was fired with bad intentions.
The Meilandjes have put the castle up for sale and will be returning to the Netherlands in summer 2020. They have bought a house in Hengelo in Gelderland and can enjoy an existence without arranging breakfast and entertaining guests. The antique shops and thrift stores are still eagerly visited by the family, because the big house has to be furnished after all. The Meilandjes do it again a year later when they decide to move back to Noordwijk.
Blood is thicker than water: this week it is confirmed that the Meilandjes are the new owners of the Kristina guesthouse, close to where they live. The property has nine bedrooms and seven bathrooms that can be rented. The guesthouse also has a breakfast and meeting room.
It therefore seems very likely that Erica and Martien (and possibly their daughter Maxime as well) use the building as a bed and breakfast. This time only in the Netherlands, close to family and friends. But back to TV: there’s a good chance that the next season of Meiland Castle revolves around their new bed and breakfast.
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