The Happier the Hotelier, The Happier the Guest
The “How To Spend It” magazine of the Financial Times covered Haagsche Suites in The Hague (see pictures), Park Tower Suite in Haarlem en Brugsche Suites and Maison le Dragon, both in Brugge, Belgium.
The New York Times addressed designers Analik of Miauw Suites in Antwerp and Marcel Wanders of Lute Suites near Amsterdam.
The Carlton Ambassador celebrated the 10th anniversary of operating in its present format.
In 2004 Mr J. Schoon published a small history (ISBN 90-9018992-0) of the Ambassador. Already in the 19nd century the hotel was set up and operated by Mrs Geertruida Vos, a daughter of the owner of the then famous hotel “Zalm” (Salmon) in Gouda – yes Gouda is one of the cheese centers of Holland – which hotel Salmon was one of the first hotels in the Netherlands.
Mrs Vos was very successful and therefor her nickname became “Goudvosje” (“little Gold Fox”).
Until 1973 the property was operated uninterruptedly as a hotel by the same family, lately under a great grandson of Goudvosje, Mr Anton Krulder.
Between 1973 and 1994 Mr Krulder let the property to an institute that housed former psychiatric patients. In 1994 he sold the property to Hotel Management International that operated 4 Carlton hotels in The Netherlands.
After a thorough renovation of 15 months, the Carlton Ambassador reopened as fifth Dutch Carlton Hotel on March 10, 1995.
Because jack of all trades designer Philippe Starck has designed the interiors of a few hotels already, it is not strange that he announces a partnership to create 35 hotels under his own label, Starck International Hotels and Resorts.
Another wel designed small all suite hotel has been opened recently: Brugsche Suites, Suites of Brugge, Belgium
Opening of the Amsterdam College Hotel is now scheduled for March 1, 2005.