Nhow hotel Rotterdam_a life inspiration story

When traveling and staying in Rotterdam, for me there was just one option, to be honest. I know, I lost my heart on Hotel New York, and if you're looking for a cosy, warm and historical family hotel, it is still a great option. But, hey, we need to check out new things, and when I got an invitation to stay at the brand new Nhow hotel in Rotterdam (after our inspirational bike tour with Eastpak), I took this chance to explore new beds in Rotterdam.

I arrived by watertaxi, so I got already a good view on the building from the riverside. The impressive wall of glass of the magnificent skyline building gives Rotterdam another stunning beacon next to the famous Erasmus bridge. I could already imagine the view from (each) room on the Maas and the vibrant city....

I stayed in a basic urban room at the back of the hotel, overviewing the industrial side of the city. Luckily, because of the huge floor to ceiling windows, every room has nice day and night views, even if you stay in the more basic ones. Although,  the view in the sunset rooms or suites is better (inside tip!), as you overlook Rotterdam city and the Mentioned Erasmus bridge for the front row.

I was friendly welcomed with a personal note, some chocolates and bottled water. The urban room is very spacious, quite light with a undeniable industrial feel. If you like minimal straight fit rooms, this is your place. Bathroom and bedroom are divided by a printed glass wall and the Tv is hidden behind a glas wall. All to get rid of cluttered details like wires and closets. Everything is there, as it should be: room & bed good, clean & crisp, friendly staff, a more than correct breakfast buffet and some nice funny graphic details to find your way back to your floor or room.

For me, Nhow is a more business visitor oriented hotel, but with a touch of art, some creativity and a very alive entertainment program. The hotel really wants to become a vibrant part of Rotterdam's city life and therefor it is an excellent starting point to explore the city.

Nhow Rotterdam is part of the Nhow group and has hotels in Berlin, Milan and recently in Rotterdam. The stunning skyline hotel opened its doors beginning 2014 and is designed by renowned architect Rem Koolhaas of OMA. Nhow is not your average ' just sleep-over-hotel' but a place to re-set your mind by the in-house art exhibitions, product launches, concerts and conferences that become part of the best R'Dam urban culture has to offer.

©ALL photos by Kate Stockman_THE SQUID STORIES, except image from hotel skyline is by Events.nl

Look back: our last year Salone di Mobile 2013 trip to Milan-a life inspiration story

Before we head to Milan for the Salone di Mobile 2014 TOMORROW(!!!), I want to add this post on my last year trip (!). I know, it is too late, it slipped my mind, too much work but hey, here it is, and in the coming weeks, you can expect a lot more from the Milan Design Week 2014!
Consider it as a small 'WARMING up', okay?

A design trip to Milano is always combining business (so they call it) and pleasure. Our annual mission? Check out the 'Salone di Mobile' vibe that goes around in Italy.

We have some strict schedule to attempt. Flying All Italia is our first step. Leave at 9:45, arrive in Milano Linate 11:45. Great.

We popped in to Roel, my former colleague and friend at the Linate airport. We used to work together at this international ad agency, and I'm still glad to see him. Roel off to a Coca-Cola meeting, me and Ivan off to our next pit stop: our (not so)affordable hotel.

During the fair every hostel, hotel or grand luxury Palace Hotel Doubles, or let's say triples their prices, and nobody complains.
That's the way it is, and if you don't agree, you should stay home.
So, pitstop Nr° 2 at Hotel Zurigo. A very central place to stay, and we got upgraded. XL room with huge bathroom. Thanks, much appreciated.
Do not take breakfast in the hotel, just like nearly everywhere in Milano, the breakfast sucks. http://www.hotelzurigo.com

Quickly pack my bag ( my so called dog), a white lama from Belgian label Essentiel. Loved by many. I understand.

Next stop, ALWAYS right after arriving in Milano is super store Corso Como at Corso Como 10.

I think it's nearly 10 years we know this superb terrace, and when it's sunny in Milan, there is no better place to kick-off a city trip.

Try the advocado salat, only with some extra virgin olive oil and some pepper. Magnifico.

HM upscale label "And Others Stories" has, off course what did you expect, a beauty corner at Corso Como. Picture below: typical Corso Como style of merchandising: mini shop corners, designer-by-designer and all the names that matter for the moment. http://www.10corsocomo.com

For the first year so omni-present: the city bike.
Normally the Italian way to cruise trough the city is a vespa, but as the hype spread to all cosmopolitan cities, Milan joins the pack. A nice way of promoting your brand new bike design too.
Not only designer folks, the streets are filled with colorful birds, see picture below.

 http://www.blog.californiabakery.it
The Californian Bakery, an international concept of baked goods, in a nice cosy environment. Sweet pies, cheesecake and other typical US rooted sweet treats!

The Milan design crowd outside the incredible popular Bar Basso. Every night, mostly belgian designers and their posse gather at Basso for drinks, networking and Milan flirting. http://www.barbasso.com/index.php/en/

Great work from (again) Studio Droog for the opening of the Dutch Rijksmuseum last year. Based on  paintings of old masters, this scene of a restaurant was set up with beautiful glassware, table wear and furniture inspired by Rembrandt.
https://www.droog.com

Ah, la grande dame du fashion film: Diane Pernet from ASVOFF visiting the Eindhoven Design School exhibit. So did we.

Another 'grande dame' of the International trends scene: Li Edelkoort with her posse. I love her looks, her vision and since we had a good talk some months ago in London I'm even more convinced about our mutual point of view: Trend people like us, need to use their skills and intuition to start talking with companies and other power stations to start changing the world, little by little. I'm with you LI!

One of my absolute favorite items of the entire Design Fair! Designer Umberto Dattola and his label EVNI. An amazing dream versus madness art installation

of surrealist chairs, armchairs, dressers and beds that overlooked because of their elegant and enormous height the entire location. Flash backs towards Salvador Dalí’s work are not far away. Antique furniture, worn by time and use, to which Umberto Dattola gave a second life, a chance to tell their story. Pure poetry!

http://www.umbertodattola.it/?lang=en

I lobbed this "Fish restaurant" by Studio Droog, as I do with a lot of their work!
The typical Chinese restaurant with it's required fish tank has been inverted. Now it’s the fish tank that hosts a miniature table setting instead. For the fish. Great 3D design exercise and typical Droog design humor.
https://www.droog.com

More and brand new trend views next weeks, as we come back from the Milan Design Week 2014. Arrivederci!


Kate


©All photos by Kate en Ivan Stockman-Missinne of The Squid Stories