Inspiring collaborations, innovation and hospitality

The Independent Hotel Show Amsterdam is a renowned hospitality event dedicated to supporting and inspiring independent hoteliers, hospitality professionals and hotel industry suppliers. Annually, this event brings together a vibrant community eager to explore innovation, make meaningful connections and celebrate excellence in hospitality.

This year's show was another dynamic meeting place where visitors have unique opportunities to exchange knowledge, discover new products and services and discuss trends shaping the future of hospitality.

Visitors were enthusiastic about the broad appeal and considerable value of the event. Bastiaan Driessen of Invast Hotels stressed the importance of personal contacts made during the event: "The social aspect appeals to me the most. You meet people you rarely see, but who are essential to your network. Shaking hands and maintaining relationships are essential for me. There are also fascinating knowledge sessions, especially on AI." Bart Reits Bok of Charme Hotels agreed, noting: "You meet all the suppliers in one place. That is hugely valuable. You can make use of each other's knowledge and expertise, which promotes creativity and innovative collaborations. I know of no other event where you really meet everyone who matters." Joeri Beusen of Accor Hotels underlined the broader importance of the event: "It's an excellent place for inspiration, even for larger hotel chains. The sessions on market developments, artificial intelligence, hotel renovations and best practices offer in-depth insights. In addition, the networking opportunities provide valuable interactions with colleagues and acquaintances you rarely see in day-to-day work."
Tim Bakkens, marketing Trainee attended the fair to learn and experience the latest trends in design and hotel software. "Very informative and valuable. And very enjoyable on top of that."

Quiet Room

A notable addition to this year's event was the Quiet Room, initiated by Eveline Koeman, founder of 'Meeting in Balance'. This room recognised the importance of mindfulness in professional environments and offered visitors a quiet refuge from the hustle and bustle of the fair. The space was well received, welcoming more than 50 visitors on the first day alone. Koeman noted: "It is wonderful to see how visitors find inspiration and relaxation here, leading them to continue attending the event with renewed energy."

Collaboration in design

Led by Gertrude van den Brink, an experienced professional in the interior design industry, the session "Collaborative stories: The relationship between hotelier and designer" covered how successful collaborations between hoteliers and designers can redefine hospitality spaces, transforming traditional hotels into vibrant cultural destinations.

The highlight was the innovative project "'t Huys", a creative collaboration between De L'Europe Amsterdam and design studio D/DOCK. According to Coen Van Dijck, CEO of D/DOCK, 't Huys celebrates leading personalities from Amsterdam's vibrant creative landscape. The creative wing of De L'Europe, aptly named 't Huys, offers custom-designed suites created by influential Amsterdam icons, entrepreneurs and innovative talents. This project effortlessly combines the visions of local designers, business innovators and brand builders with the experiences of hotel guests and local residents.

Each suite in 't Huys uniquely showcases the vision of the designer, who is fully responsible for the design process. The designers and partners include well-known Amsterdam names such as Sister Janssen, Amsterdam Fashion Week, The Ravestijn Gallery and others such as Bibi van der Velden and fashion designers who bring their own distinctive creative vision to life.

In addition, 't Huys offers more than just accommodation; guests get exclusive cultural experiences inside and outside the hotel. For instance, guests staying in a suite inspired by Van Gogh can enjoy intimate experiences with museum-quality reproductions and personalised tours of the Van Gogh Museum. Another highlight is "The Wunderkammer", a unique space by renowned floral artists Florian Seyd and Ueli Signer, which showcases their exquisite floral art and interior objects.

Mosanne Monod de Froideville, director of Marketing, Brand and Business Development at De L'Europe Amsterdam, highlighted how 't Huys has attracted a diverse audience and created new revenue streams by combining local creativity with luxury hospitality. The combination of hospitality, design and local cultural experiences redefines traditional hospitality and positions the hotel as a dynamic destination rather than just accommodation.

Technology

Another important seminar organised by The Belgian Chapter, entitled "Beyond AI: Technological innovations transforming hospitality", was moderated by Willem van der Zee, president of the Brussels Hotels Association. Speakers Christin Schmidt, regional director at Booking.com, and Filip Boyen, Global Ambassador at Forbes Travel Guide, discussed the transformative role of artificial intelligence in the hospitality sector. Schmidt presented AI-driven innovations at Booking.com, including enhanced customer journeys and personalised guest experiences. She stressed the importance of using AI to better understand customer needs, streamline processes and enrich the overall travel experience.

Boyen provided insights from the perspective of luxury hospitality, particularly focusing on behind-the-scenes operational processes. He emphasised maintaining genuine human connections, stating that although AI can take over repetitive administrative tasks, personalised human interactions remain essential for luxury experiences. Both speakers agreed on the crucial balance between embracing new technologies and maintaining authentic hospitality.

The session concluded with the conclusion that successful relationships between hoteliers and designers require openness, flexibility and ongoing dialogue to align creative ambitions with practical operational needs, resulting in spaces that not only inspire but are also commercially successful.

Independent Hotel Show Awards 2025

Celebrating hospitality at the highest level, the fifth edition of the Independent Hotel Show Amsterdam saw the prestigious presentation of the Independent Hotel Show Awards:

Hotelier of the Year

Nicky and Derk van Westenbrugge of Parkzicht Hotel in Eindhoven and Robert-Jan Woltering of Hotel De L'Europe Amsterdam were named Independent Hoteliers of the Year for their exceptional contributions to the hotel industry.

Independent Hotel of the Year and Best Hotel Design

Cousins Boutique Hotel in Maastricht was voted Independent Hotel of the Year for its outstanding hospitality and unique character. The Church in Arnhem won the award for Best Hotel Design, appreciated for its innovative and stylish adaptation of historic architecture.

Oeuvre Prize for Outstanding Contribution

Marc van Gulick received the Special Contribution award for his years of dedication to the hospitality industry. He was honoured for his efforts in mentoring new talent and promoting hospitality as a valuable career. Van Gulick's impressive legacy at Landgoed Lauswolt in Friesland, characterised by phenomenal hospitality and leadership, received warm recognition.

Best hotel bar in Amsterdam

Amsterdam's vibrant hotel bar scene was also highlighted. LuminAir Amsterdam was named Best Hotel Bar, while Sonora Bar at Nhow Amsterdam RAI won the award for Best New Hotel Bar. Bar Tailor was recognised as Best Classic Hotel Bar, underlining the innovative nature of Amsterdam's hotel bar scene.