Category: Netherlands

Qbic: Dutch answer to Easy Hotel, Yotel and Hotel Everland

Qbic

Begin November 2006 the launch of Qbic Hip Hotels was announced by Paul Rinkens, Rino Soeters en Marcel Voermans, the people behind Design hotel La Bergère and Hip Hotel St Martenslane, both in Maastricht, as the Dutch answer to cube alike hotel concepts as Easy Hotel, Yotel and Hotel Everland:

Qbic Hip Hotel Amsterdam Center (at WTC, Strawinskylaan 241) is anticipated to open in March 2007.

Qbic Hip Hotel Antwerpen (at Sint Paulusstraat 42 / Lange Koepoortstraat 6) is anticipated to open in June 2007.

Each Cube will cover 7 m2 with a living room, King Size Hästens beds, Philippe Starck design bathroom elements, TV, radio, safe and wireless Internet access.

With individually adjustable varicolored led lights guests can establish their own atmosphere. Easily changeable wall panels will give the guest the possibility to adjust the atmosphere further.

The lobby in Amsterdam will be designed by Feran Thomassen and for Antwerp by Ontwerpers.nu (i.e. Designers.Now!). They envisage a digital “concierge kiosk” where through an ‘i- touch’ screen guests can gather the necessary information about things to do, where to wine and dine and where to party, or to contact a Qbic staff member who will be available on site.

Also a self service shop is anticipated for all amenities and necessities.

Pricing will be done by the “the-earlier-the-reservation-the-lower-the-price” system and vary from Euro 39,- to Euro 139,-.

Realization by PRM.

Last edited by GJE on December 3, 2011 at 11:43 pm

Internet Guides to Amsterdam

Amsterdam

One of my aims with this Blog is to enable foreigners to gather more information about my small but glorious country. A good start is Steven Pemberton’s The Internet Guide to Amsterdam.
Steven is an Internet guru who started this guide as a write up for visiting students.

Enjoy!

Handheld City Navigator Guides

City Navigator

After downloadable Ipod format Audio City Tours, see my post Ipod Guided City Tours, some hotels in Amsterdam now have the hand held City Navigator Guide available for rent. It is preferable to a bulky paper guide or card or guidelines of the concierge you’ll not easily remember.

I hope more cities follow fast and that those guides become downloadable for free so that you can prepare your trips more efficiently…

Hotel Pillows in Zwolle and IJsselhotel in Deventer

They just opened the splendid Chateau De Raay, but the Sandton Group is already busy developing two new 4 star hotels:

Pillows
  • Pillows gets 45 chambers and is an entire new development.
  • IJsselhotel seems a renovation and gets 32 rooms. It is situated along the IJssel (one branch of the Rhine river that splits from it just before Arnhem) opposite the city of Deventer and will be conected with the city with its own little ferry..

In the meantime Sandton also took over Hotel de Filisoof in Amsterdam.

The Making of….Stadeshuys (part 2)

Stadeshuys Stavoren

In October 2004, I reported already about Stadeshuys Stavoren. Pim and Jane were still busy with their renovation process.

In the middle of 2005 the wedding location, the (wedding) party area and one suite only partly had been finished. We had a chance to test the half finished honeymoon suite.

Pim and Jane have both a full job. The renovation till then took so much of their time that they put the suite renovation process on the back burner. I had to keep the fantastic experience to myself for a long time.

Beginning this year they have taken up the renovation again and recently I got a report that they hoped to open in July 2006.

According to their site they now count 3 suites. I am curious about the final result.

From my own experience I can tell you that what I have seen already has grandeur (large class). The really fantastic view over the IJsselmeer, from Hoorn to the Dyke up north enclosing the IJsselmeer, is worth a special trip. A must see! Also the live webcam on their site gives you a panoramic view equal to the one from your bed.

Update 3 July 2006:
They did not manage to open on 1 July, but 1 August will be managed for sure.

Update November 2006:
Unfortunately their site is still only in the Dutch language.