Discover Rotterdam and Hotel Unplugged

September 14, 2021

Discover Rotterdam and Hotel Unplugged

Rotterdam is the second largest city in the Netherlands, and packs a huge cultural punch. With humble beginnings as a fishing village back in the 1200’s, Rotterdam’s location on the confluence of three of Europe’s mightiest rivers led to it becoming an industrial powerhouse, before being effectively flattened in the Second World War. Built almost entirely anew, Rotterdam is one of Europe’s great modern cities with its own distinctive vibe and culture. Teeming with unique and visionary architecture, this cosmopolitan city is now one of the jewels of the North Sea. Old Dutch-style houses can still be found in historic Delfshaven, should you wish to get your fix of the traditional. You’ll certainly enjoy the contrast.

Hotel Unplugged is as Sharp as they come. Young and eclectic, Hotel Unplugged is your tech savvy, high comfort, basecamp in the city. Rooms are designed for maximum comfort and utility, with a strong focus on the quality of sleep. It’s all about recharging. Great design, especially in the bathrooms, is twinned with high quality – Nilson beds, Malin+Goetz products, Netflix, Dampf audio, Bocca coffee, unique art, and furniture by Fest Amsterdam. Expect quirky vernacular style that doesn’t take itself too seriously. Blissful.

Check-in is fully automated, and super fast, while all room tech is app controlled, either from your phone or with the provided iPad. The personal touch is not absent however, despite the lack of a grumpy concierge or moody bellboy. Hotel ambassadors are on call and can suggest the best places to visit, where to shop, and what to eat. With serious local clout, they can also get you a table, no problem. We think Hotel Unplugged manages to cross the digital divide, bringing warmth and hospitality alongside great tech. No mean feat.

Young and eclectic, Hotel Unplugged is your tech savvy, high comfort, basecamp in the city. Rooms are designed for maximum comfort and utility, with a strong focus on the quality of sleep. It’s all about recharging.

So what should you do when in Rotterdam? Well known for its art and culture, Rotterdam has a huge music scene covering all tastes, from thumping bass bins to its own Philharmonic orchestra. It may be the second city, but it equals Amsterdam with culture and attitude. Sibling rivalry? Yes, of course. Famous, at least to some, as the birthplace of Gabber techno in the 90’s, there’s still a huge party scene and clubs aplenty. Stalwarts of the alternative scene, WORM always have a great calendar of seriously alternative goings on and their #Wunderbar bar and venue on Witte de Withstraat makes a great starting point for an interesting evening. Less angular entertainments are, of course, also available, and you’ll find a good listing of gigs and concerts in one of the free papers, which you’ll easily pick up around town.

You’ll find hundreds of bars and restaurants of all kinds on Witte de Withstraat, with an eclectic mix of people and cultures. Do set aside a few hours to check out some of the eccentric watering holes and great Vietnamese food. People watching is also to be recommended here. Staring is rude, but observing is anthropology, right? Markthal is a must for food fans, with a feast for the senses by way of stalls, street food, and restaurants. Being Rotterdam, the architecture is also suitably modern and impressive.

Rotterdam doesn’t fall short on its art scene, with the Museumpark being a great jump off point for your explorations. All the famous galleries and museums are within walking distance of this leafy enclave, including the architecture and design mecca Het Nieuwe Instituut, the 1930’s art museum Boijmans Van Beuningen, the Natural History Museum, and Kunsthal. The latter was designed by Rem Koolhaas, and hosts contemporary exhibits of modern art, photography, fashion, and design, along with all sorts of weird and wonderful workshops and events. Well worth a visit.

We’d also recommend a trip to the Euromaast, with its panoramic views over the city, where you’ll get a good idea of the forward thinking architecture that defines Rotterdam. Well exemplified by the Erasmusbrug bridge, the city is a dream for fans of modern architecture. Rotterdam is not yet a cliché travel destination, and for that we’re thankful. This fantastic city perched on the salty edge of old Europe is a true cultural gem and worthy of any traveller’s vacation time.

To view more information on Unplugged Rotterdam and to book your next stay, visit their page here.