Rotterdam is the second largest city in the Netherlands and unique in the country for its youthful exuberance, innovative approach to sustainability and its aesthetic. Its impressive, ever-evolving, skyline has gained the nickname ‘Manhattan on the Meuse’ and is a draw for architecture enthusiasts across the globe. As well as its architectural appeal, Rotterdam is rich with art, cultural attractions, trendy nightlife and innovative fine dining – boasting ten Michelin-starred restaurants in the city itself – and many more in the surrounding area.
Rotterdam is also home to Europe’s biggest harbour, and is among the fifth largest in the world, placing it as a top destination for trade and business. Its wealth of amenities allow business trips to be conducted in style and, at just over an hour away by air from London, or around 3.5 hours via train, it is the perfect location for a luxury city break.
Where to stay
To stay in the vibrant city centre, The Hilton Rotterdam is a great option, located just minutes away from the central train station. The hotel is comfortably nestled between the business, shopping and entertainment districts, giving you a base to explore the very best of the city.
One of 27 monuments in Rotterdam from the Post-War Reconstruction period (1940 to 1965), the Hilton opened in 1963 and is a pronounced example of the architecture of the time. Designed by local architect, Hugh Maaskant – also behind another city landmark, the Euromast – the hotel exterior is characterised by imposing scale and sharp angles, with the Hilton name in its original lettering.
Beyond the 1960s façade, the interior has also retained period features. A spacious stone atrium, curved wall and original dalle de verre walls, made up of square glass slabs, built by Joop van den Broek, are all focal points.
The 254 rooms and suites are a blend of sleek contemporary décor and warmth. Expect walk in-showers, deep baths and king-sized beds. Guests staying in an executive room or suite have access to the exclusive executive lounge, where complimentary breakfast, afternoon snacks and all-day drinks are served. For those travelling on business, the hotel offers free Wi-Fi, a selection of meeting rooms and a gym, which is open 24/7.
For a design-led focus and stunning skyline views of the city, your other hotel option is nhow Rotterdam. Located by the buzzing Wilhelmina Pier, in the De Rotterdam building, the towering hotel has unparalleled vistas of the river Maas and Rotterdam’s skyscrapers. Opening its doors in 2014, this is the first collaboration between architects Rem Koolhaas and OMA in the world. Its theatrical interior seamlessly combines luxury chrome, mirrors and gold tints with the urban edge of concrete, glass and steel.
Guests are welcomed by a large hall, filled with statement features, pops of colour and sculptures, as well as a small shop to buy essential and artisanal Dutch items. The seventh floor terrace is a verdant oasis, energised with neon lights and art installations. It is a chic spot to sip cocktails and graze on bar snacks, overlooking the Erasmus bridge and the river.
Rooms are ultra-modern; premium suites, set on the higher floors, feature floor-to-ceiling windows, designed to harness the unique light of the sun rising or setting over city, depending on which side of the building you are staying. A walk-in shower, mini-bar and Nespresso machine are available. The hotel also has a well-equipped gym and a relaxation area with a private sauna service, which is an ideal way to relax after exploring the sights.
Where to eat
Both hotels offer good dining selections. As well as its sun-filled terrace, nhow Rotterdam is famous for its Gastrobar ELVY and also offers a breakfast service with bottomless mimosas. The Hilton Rotterdam hosts three restaurant concepts. On our first night, we sampled the dinner service at JAQ, which specialises in sharing plates of quality meats.
The setting is vibrant, filled with colourful art, hanging plants and gorgeous pops of pink and green. The highlight here was the charcuterie, and the steak which was cooked to perfection. Seasonal accompaniments, such as tender white asparagus and new potatoes, rounded the course off well. To finish, go for the sorbets and ganache – both are delicious. Also under the Hilton Rotterdam umbrella is Joelia by Mario Ridder, a one Michelin star restaurant with French-inspired cuisine, and TIWYA, which serves contemporary Indonesian food.
In Rotterdam, fine dining is in abundance; one of the most exciting places in which to enjoy it is at François Geurds’s two-Michelin starred (FG) Restaurant. With the only dedicated ‘taste laboratory’ in the Netherlands, Geurds, formerly a sous chef at Heston Blumenthal’s The Fat Duck, spearheads molecular gastronomy in the city. Combining scents, flavours and spectacle, Geurds’s food is a multi-sensory and playful experience. Opt for the €239 eight-course tasting menu (wine pairing is a €140 supplement) and you’re in for a real culinary adventure.
Located beneath some railway arches in an unassuming residential spot, the little entrance soon gives way to a cavernous, airy space, filled with plush lounge-style spinning chairs – the epitome of comfort. Just as well, as the gastronomic voyage can last a few hours.
Diners are welcomed into the restaurant and first presented with a tray of knives from the world’s most renowned artisans. Select your cutlery for the evening and get ready for more choices. A selection of French butters, whipped with delights such as smoked salt, herbs and yuzu are offered, as well as a box of salts and peppers from around the world, to spread on fresh sourdough.
The tasting kicks off with morsels like Piccalilli sorbet with popping candy, and fluffy hummus set within a tomato macaron. One signature dish, a coal-blackened celeriac, aptly named Black Beauty, comes in tender, thin ribbons incorporating a vinaigrette with 43 different spices and a coconut curry sauce. Dessert is equally indulgent with dishes such as a rose-gold dusted white chocolate ravioli, filled with foie gras de canard, caviar and olive oil. For an extra-indulgent experience Guerds also hosts a private dinner for 12 people aboard a yacht on the Maas, for €1,000 per person.
Rotterdam is also a hot spot for a variety of produce and cuisines. Sample the finest Dutch seafood along the river. While throughout the city, brilliant examples of Surinamese, Pan-Asian and Turkish cuisine, among others, can be found via street food tours, food markets, family-run restaurants and live music venues.
What to do
Modern architecture is, of course, one of Rotterdam’s main attractions. The city is remarkably easy to walk around, or you can charter a boat trip to take in landmarks, such as the cube houses, the market hall, the Erasmus bridge and the Euromast.
For something more historical, go to Delfshaven. One of the most picturesque districts in Rotterdam, it is a small inner-city harbour with many historical buildings. Unlike most of the city, Delfshaven was spared during the Second World War bombings and represents what Rotterdam looked like before the damage. The architecture and the choice of bars and restaurants make for a charming visit.
Museum and art lovers will love the sheer variety here. Highlights include the Scheepvaartmuseum, celebrating the city’s maritime heritage and two of Holland’s most famous galleries, Boijmans van Beuningen and Kunsthal, which are located on the Museumpark in Rotterdam. While it is temporarily closed for refurbishment, for a really exclusive experience, Boijmans van Beuningen offers private tours of collections which might hold particular interest. Enquiries can be made via the gallery directly. Also here, are the Het Nieuwe Instituut’s fashion and design exhibits and the Natural History Museum.
Elsewhere in the city, art lovers can also buy pieces from galleries like Zerp, founded by Zic Zerp who worked as a painter and a gallery manager in Amsterdam, before establishing his own space in 2011, specialising in contemporary art. At Frank Taal, the eponymous owner and co-owner, Hans Franke host up to 10 exhibitions a year promoting sculptures, photography, drawings and paintings.
If the cultural offering doesn’t appeal, the varied shop offering will. As well as the usual designer names, Rotterdam is packed with independent boutiques. Examples include luxury shoe retailer Shoebaloo, on the Kruiskade, worth visiting for the interior design alone. While at Joline Jolink, find stylish and limited edition clothing made with natural materials, produced by families that specialise in mini capsule collections. At Collectiv by Swan on the dynamic Witte de Withstraat, find anything from clothes and jewellery to furniture from small entrepreneurs.
Finally, after a busy day of discovering Rotterdam, its diverse nightlife featuring a host of bars, pubs and nightclubs is sure to keep you entertained until the early hours.
Factbox
There are regular direct flights to Rotterdam from London City Airport.
The Hilton Rotterdam Executive Suites start at €324 per night.
nhow Rotterdam Premium Room prices are dependent on days and availability, varying from €184 to €440 per night.
