A revamped F&B experience at boutique hotel STAATS

Balance between hospitality and design attracts hotel guests and locals alike

In the heart of Haarlem, Boutiquehotel STAATS is a special place where design, hospitality and culinary experiences come together. Since its opening in 2019, this hotel, led by Michel Ruijgrok (E.S.T.I.D.A.) and Claudia van den Berg, has continued to evolve. With the recent renovation of the restaurant, the hotel now offers a complete range, from a full breakfast to a relaxed lounge with shared dining.

At the start of Boutique hotel STAATS, with 21 uniquely decorated rooms, the concept was already progressive. "We could completely design the hotel the way we wanted," Claudia van den Berg explains. "However, the building already had a restaurant. We did change the style, but the focus at the time was entirely on the hotel." The restaurant was run by an external party with a social mission: to train young people with a distance to the labour market in the hospitality industry. It seemed like an ideal partnership, but after two years they indicated that it was difficult to continue providing breakfast for various reasons.

The solution? The hotel team took the reins themselves. Since then, a high-quality breakfast has taken centre stage. "Guests consider this a very important part of their stay, so we invested heavily in this. We do live cooking every morning, and this is very much appreciated. Everything is fresh, from sliced fruit to à la carte omelettes. This is how we distinguish ourselves from larger chains: personal attention, fresh products and a relaxed atmosphere are paramount."

A new chapter: restaurant in-house

The next step came last summer, when the hotel also took full ownership of the restaurant. The restaurant underwent a restyling, "We kept what was good and improved what was needed," says Van den Berg. "The layout has changed, for instance we moved reception to the bar and redesigned the lounge, including lower seating areas" says Van der Berg. Here, design and efficiency played a key role.

The design of the renovated space, including the carpet and wall coverings, was of course made by E.S.T.I.D.A. Here, the special carpet, whose design is reflected in the wallpaper, stands out. This design is by Elisabeth Ruijgrok, yes 'the daughter of'. With Michel's vision, she created a warm, inviting atmosphere befitting the boutique hotel. "The space now feels like a place where guests want to relax and enjoy themselves," she says. The restyling was carried out within a few days, with the aim of making the transition for guests as smooth as possible. "We had the upholsterer come at the right time and carried out everything in less than two days. That's where the professionalism of E.S.T.I.D.A. comes in."

The revamped restaurant is open seven days a week, with a low-key concept in keeping with the boutique hotel's atmosphere. No fine dining, but a versatile menu with shared dining dishes that can be ordered throughout the day. Van den Berg: "We don't want to create a threshold for our guests, from within the hotel and from outside. It should feel like a nice, styled lounge where you like to be, whether you come for a drink with a small bite or a full meal."

Space for business and local use

Besides the restaurant renovations, Boutique hotel STAATS has also implemented other innovations. The reception area has been transformed into a boardroom and the former staff room into a meeting room, also completely designed by E.S.T.I.D.A. This space fully complements the style of the lounge and offers business guests an inspiring place to meet.

As the honesty bar was no longer needed (free coffee and tea is available at the bar for coffee guests), space was created from which the owners want to create two additional hotel rooms.

Van den Berg: "At STAATS, we look for a good balance between design, comfort and service. The new vision of the lounge certainly contributes to this. For example, a regular guest who previously opted for a flat because we had no restaurant service is now back with us. That feels like confirmation that we are on the right track."