JOHN HEITINGA: YOU SHOULD HAVE BEEN HERE

John Heitinga has seen much of the world over the years. With MASTERS he shares his favorite all-time hotspots.

John Heitinga has seen a lot of the world over the years. He shares his favorite with MASTERS all time hotspots where you should go again if it is possible again. For now it will remain a matter of dreaming and fantasizing. Are you reading along? Text: John Heitinga
Online Editorial: Larissa Schaule Jullens

Cecconi's Amsterdam

“Italian restaurant accessible to everyone in private members club Soho House, with an impressive menu: cicchetti (Italian tapas), seasonal vegetables and salads, homemade pasta and pizzas, and meat, fish and vegetarian dishes from the wood-fired oven or charcoal grill. I especially like coming there for Sunday lunch, when they have a buffet. With the family at a long dining table, no one complains if the children are a bit noisy... Not only a cozy, but also beautiful tent, with Venetian influences, vintage furniture and art deco elements.”

Book here a table at Cecconi's

Experimental Beach, Ibiza, Spain

“I know all the beach clubs in Ibiza and find this one, near the salt fields, the most relaxed. This is the place to be for good food and fun. The atmosphere! I can sit at a table here all afternoon. Moreover, it is one of the most beautiful places in Ibiza to experience the sunset. Charlotte-Sophie and I got married here in 2010. It was a three-day wedding. On the first day we had drinks on the roof terrace of our hotel. The next day we got married on the beach and had a party there. The third day we sailed to Formentera with two pirate ships.”

View here the Experimental Beach website.

GRACE bar, Berlin, Germany

“When I played for Hertha BSC, we lived in Schlüterstrasse. That is within walking distance of the GRACE bar in Hotel Zoo on Kurfürstendamm. That's where things really go: live music, fun, beautiful people, 1920s decor. They make a contemporary interpretation of the cocktail classics from that time. Much too nice not to go there.”

Book here your table at the GRACE bar.

The Duchess, Amsterdam

“The most beautiful restaurant in town! In terms of experience, in terms of beauty... So beautiful! We recently sat at the chef's table and had a delicious meal. They have made progress in that regard. It is not without reason that they have a Michelin star.”

Book here a table at The Duchess.

Hôtel Costes, Paris, France

“When I have a few days off, usually around an international match, Charlotte-Sophie and I look at each other and say 'shall we go away with the family?'. Very often we end up in Paris. Because of the delicious food there, but also because of the city itself. It is fairly compact. We used to zoom through Paris on those e-scooters: me with Jezebel, Charlotte with Lennox and just scootering. But now with Rixo there, that becomes a bit more difficult. We always sleep in Hôtel Costes. Just the smell when we enter, the exciting interior, the location in the middle of the shops, the great food... And the children are completely pampered. I am loyal to what has quality – what is good is good. ”

Book here a room at Hôtel Costes.

Visaandeschelde, Amsterdam

“Oyster, a nice piece of fish… Whether you sit outside in the summer or inside in the winter, Visaandeschelde is a pleasure.”

Book here a table at Visaandeschelde.

Hotel Zenden, Maastricht

“My in-laws' hotel. I slept there last weekend. Then we drove to Maastricht to surprise them. Beautiful design hotel consisting of white studios with their own kitchenette, in a beautiful location: close to Onze Lieve Vrouweplein. I rented a few mountain bikes with Lennox to climb the hills near Valkenburg together. When I am in Maastricht, I always have the feeling that I am abroad.”

Book here a studio at Hotel Zenden.

Pure C, Cadzand

“Good food from chef Syrco Bakker. Great setting too: in the dunes, with a view of the sea... The Zeeland two-star restaurant in the Strandhotel was recently renovated, just before its tenth anniversary. There seems to have been a lot of focus on comfort level, among other things. High time to visit again.”

Book here a table at Pure C.

Zuma Mykonos, Greece

“Next summer, Zuma will appear on the island at the luxury hotel Cavo Tagoo. The best Japanese food on one of my favorite islands: that is by definition a dream combination!”

Book here a table at Zuma Mykonos.

French fries Atelier

“I don't belong to the fries generation, but I do love fries. And you won't find it better than here. The fries are made from the best types of potatoes and served with the tastiest sauces. I used to always say fries. But my wife, who is from Maastricht, taught me that they are fries. That's the only thing she got into me from the south, haha. Frites Atelier has branches in The Hague, Arnhem, Antwerp, Ghent and Brussels. I can't wait until there is a branch in Amsterdam!”

Please here take a look at the Frites Atelier website.