Efteling Grand Hotel: Magic Pendulum, Largest Clock

Starting in summer 2025, the Efteling Grand Hotel will welcome guests with a standout feature: the Magic Pendulum, the largest clock in Efteling. Positioned above the hotel’s arcade arch, it promises an enchanting experience with its four-meter-wide dial and intricate symbols for all visitors.

A Magical Gateway to Efteling

From August 1, 2025, visitors will enter Efteling through the striking arcade arch of the Efteling Grand Hotel, standing nine meters tall and 16 meters wide. Above it hangs the Magic Pendulum, the park’s largest clock with a diameter exceeding four meters. Designer Karel Willemen describes it as a centerpiece that sparks imagination. The clock “reads” each guest and curates a personalized Efteling day. It will also play a special role in the new Aquanura show, “Efteling Symphonica,” captivating audiences starting in summer.

Efteling Grand Hotel Opens Its Doors

On August 1, 2025, the Efteling Grand Hotel will open, inviting guests of all ages to experience a unique atmosphere. Personalized service, exceptional restaurants, and a dedicated team ensure an unforgettable stay. The hotel offers luxury and top-tier hospitality. Those with a keen sense of guests’ needs and natural hospitality can apply for jobs at the hotel. Efteling is seeking team members to join and delight visitors with outstanding service.

Symbols of the Magic Pendulum

The Magic Pendulum is a work of art adorned with Efteling symbols that reflect the park’s diversity. Guests will spot a sparkle, a steering wheel, a carriage, a key, a swan, and a rose. Figures like Pardoes, a mushroom, a bat, a crown, a pretzel, a flying witch, a squirrel, a harp, a herald, and a rider are also depicted. These details invite visitors to uncover the stories behind the symbols and immerse themselves in Efteling’s magic.

The Legend of the Magic Pendulum

The story of the Magic Pendulum traces back to a small inn that grew into today’s Efteling Grand Hotel. A mysterious guest gifted the innkeeper a magical clock as thanks for his hospitality. Each time the clock was wound, the inn expanded, eventually becoming the grand hotel. This tale, along with others, will appear in the book “Märchen aus dem Efteling Grand Hotel,” set for release in mid-June 2025. Written by Ad Grooten and Maarten Kuipers, with illustrations by Job van Gelder, it features nine new stories set around the hotel.

A Tale of the Magic Pendulum

In the story “The Clock of Hospitality,” the magic of the Magic Pendulum comes to life. The innkeeper Nathan inserted the key into the clock’s dial, between the green circles, and turned it until the weights were raised. The pendulum swung gently, ticking familiarly. That night, a loud crack startled Nathan and his wife Eline. By morning, they were astonished to find their inn had grown. A new door next to their guest room led to another room with soft beds, spring mattresses, and freshly washed linens. This tale reveals how the Magic Pendulum transformed the inn and Efteling.