It took a long wait to get our hands on a night in the crane, but boy was it worth it !

Since I suffer from mild claustrophobia, particularly in elevators, I was a little apprehensive when I saw how the crane was accessed. However, in the event it wasn't bad at all, there's a short ride in an elevator with glass windows to a lower platform, from there its a slow ride up a Starship Enterprise-type contraction with barely room for 2 people and one bag. However, the fact that there's no ceiling takes away the claustrophobia, in the event of a lift failure it wouldn't be hard to climb up the tube !

The beam-me-up-Scottie lift reaches the main cabin area. Not particularly big, but room for a double bed, two reading chairs and a small kitchen area with boiling water on tap for the large selection of speciality teas and coffees on offer, plus there's a well-stocked minibar and a large bowl of fruit as a welcome. Not so much space, but who cares, the choice is either to lie in bed and watch the large flatscreen TV with cinema sound (there's no TV reception but the crane comes with a good DVD collection, the remote controls for the TV and DVD do take a bit of getting used to though). Alternatively, park up in the reading chairs and look out to sea and the Friesian Islands. Also next to the bed is a touchscreen panel for fiddling with all the different lighting and heating controls (my only gripe of the entire stay: heating seemed to be ineffective). I spent way too long creating a multi-colour lightshow in the toilet ! There's no bath, just a very large walk-in shower with room for 3 people, never mind two !

Going up a level is the crane controls, with an opportunity to act out one's Bob the Builder fantasies - rotating the crane through 360 degrees is possible, allowing the view to be changed, whether it be evening sunset at sea, or the night sky over the town of Harlingen.

And finally, on top of the crane is a terrace area for sipping a cold white wine as the sun sets ...

The crane has acres of space for parking and its only 5 minutes walk from the ferry terminal and railway station. Although the harbour area is busy and the crane has a lot of big windows, there's total privacy, and no disturbance at night. Eating options are about 10-15 minutes walk away in the town centre.

And in the morning the owners deliver a huge continental breakfast tray to enjoy in bed. No early check-out either !

An expensive place, but truly unique !

ps I'd bring warm clothes in winter and don't even think about trying to fit more than 2 people in here

This exceeded all expectations - a wonderful idea brought to fruitation in a wonderful way.
The lift system is amazing, though possibly worrying for the claustrophobic. The room itself is very well-equipped, with touchscreen climate and lighting control - a choice of five different lighting combinations for the double shower alone! The bed is large and comfortable and the HD screen and surround sound excellent. Operating the crane is addictive and although the sun deck was more of a bluster deck while we were there, there's plenty of space for two people. The views are wonderful and the morning mist is lovely. A delicious breakfast arrives in a basket in the lift, with still-hot eggs.
One night is not long enough!

Firstly hats off to the person who with his team had the vision and dedication to carry out this project and to such a high standard. My wife and I stayed for two nights end of July 2008 and thought it wonderful. Sitting on the top deck drinking Champagne watching the busy comings and goings of the boats was bliss, plus if you tire of that view hop in the drivers seat and give your crane a spin. We found the hi tech living area very comfortable, a great shower and an excellent breakfast .
Harlingen is a very nice little town with lots of boats,a good choice of cafes and restaurants and some nice historic buildings. We had an enjoyable evening at the Gastronoom not cheap but reasonable value and they give lots of freebie tasters. People seem to go early we booked for 8.00 and were virtually last to arrive perhaps because of this service was a little slow but very friendly and we enojyed our meal.
Thank you HavenKraan Van Harlingen for a memorable stay