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A stay at Volkshotel, Amsterdam

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Volkshotel at night

Image © Pim Hendriksen Photography.

I recently stayed at the brand new Volkshotel in Amsterdam, the latest cool hotel kid on the block (you can read a previous zine post on Volkshotel here). This self-proclaimed “hotel of the people” aims to appeal broadly to individuals from all walks of life. My welcome was an affable one and notably without any hint of affectation. Indeed the team at reception were most curious about the reason for my visit (I was there for a design bloggers tour of Amsterdam). Despite being late for my first appointment (I was the last of our group to arrive), I darted to my room for both a whistle-stop peek and an expeditious freshen up. I was happily accommodated in one Volkshotel’s Sir Standard rooms – a stripped back minimal space with an urban concrete, wood and glass palette. However colour-lovers beware – apart from a red cushion, there was a notable, and for myself rather pleasing, dearth of colour. Flaws in the room were few, the most obvious being a lack of any refreshments, specifically the facility to brew oneself a coffee. House shoes (slippers) would in addition have endeared themselves to my wearied feet.

Standard room overview

Sir Standard room details

Sir Standard room.

Volkshotel lives in a one-time newspaper headquarters that was owned by De Volkskrant, a Dutch newspaper daily. The building, a 1960s concrete, glass and steel behemoth, is a veritable bold and beautiful structure. The ground floor lobby, café, bar, work and lounge areas are happening, with guests and visitors revelling in the hip and spacious surroundings. The 172 guest rooms are sandwiched in-between said ground floor and a seventh floor breakfast area, bar and club venue. The eighth floor ‘Badplaats’ is a rooftop oasis where guests can enjoy a steamy sauna, hot tubs and views of the Amsterdam skyline.

The hotel offers a vibrant, spirited and animated setting. I can imagine many instances of “what happens in Volkshotel, stays in Volkshotel”. This is not the place to visit should you yearn for a quiet and peaceful getaway. Of course Volkshotel does not advertise itself as such and that is perfectly fine. Saturday night is club night on the seventh floor. I was somewhat surprised to find security personnel posted by the elevators and happily amused to see a towering drag queen ‘door bitch’ welcoming those good-time boys and girls. Having enjoyed a long design filled day, I quickly hastened to my room and away from the din.

Volkshotel is a venue that is discovering its place on the Amsterdam hotel, bar and club scene. It is in many ways a work in progress. Indeed, the hotel has just recently revealed nine ‘special rooms’ that were designed by a select cohort of designers, architects and other creative minds. From a larger-than-life jukebox to a sleepy treehouse, these special rooms provide that something extra that many guests will doubtless want to experience and enjoy. Certainly, those guests who require an added level of grandeur and ceremony, who wish to eschew the Volkshotel’s concrete garbs, and who have a penchant for the sometimes rather peculiar, will be attracted by these special rooms.

Special rooms include:

Bathing Bikou

‘Bathing Bikou’ designed by designer Hanna Maring.

Cabin in the woods

‘Cabin in the woods’ designed by architect Gabor Disberg.

Cinema Boudoir

‘Cinema Boudoir’ designed by designer Maja Markovic.

Edmund

‘Edmund’ designed by architects Jos Blom and Jasper Eustace.

Johnny Jukebox

‘Johnny Jukebox’ designed by architect Remco Gonggrijp.

White Bike Room

‘White Bike Room’ designed by architect Thijs van Oostveen.

On balance, I can sincerely proclaim Volkshotel to be a welcome addition to the Amsterdam scene. If you desire a hotel with soul, energy and a 24-hour state of mind, this is your ‘time out’ abode.

Until 31st December 2014, you can book a special room via www.volkshotel.nl and receive a 15% discount using the promo code “specials”.

Room photo credits: Mark Groeneveld. Image at top shows the ‘Cabin in the woods’ room.

All images © Volkshotel.

Mr Walnut Grey


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