International chain brings luxury brand to Rotterdam

Haven Hotel Rotterdam, Curio Collection by Hilton

Located on the famous museum harbour, the new Haven Hotel Rotterdam, Curio Collection by Hilton combines urban allure with maritime elements. To experience what Hilton's luxury brand has to offer, HOTELVAK checks in at the completely renovated hotel.

The Haven Hotel Rotterdam, which opened in September, is part of the Curio Collection by Hilton, as is the future Kasteel Gemert. This means that this latest addition to the city can join a global collection of independent, individual hotels that, under the wing of Hilton, distinguish themselves through their unique character and charm. 

Dynamic duo

The distinctive buildings on Leuvehaven, at the foot of the Erasmus Bridge and the River Maas, are familiar sights in Rotterdam. The former Inntel & Mainport hotels are well known among business travellers and tourists. The buildings were sold in 2023 with a view to reopening in the autumn of 2025. The DoubleTree by Hilton Rotterdam Centre has been completely modernised inside. For a closer look at the adjacent, first Curio Collection by Hilton hotel in the Netherlands, we check in at the Haven Hotel Rotterdam.

Own identity

The Haven Hotel Rotterdam may now be known as a Hilton hotel, but because it is part of the Curio Collection, it does not have a standard design or interior. As soon as we enter the large lobby through the revolving door, we immediately notice that a unique atmosphere has been created here. Despite the sleek, modern décor of the lobby, the ladies and gentlemen manning the reception desk immediately take us to what Rotterdam is famous for: shipping, which flourished here in the 17th century. We see knotted ropes on their denim uniforms. From behind the large windows in the adjacent LOEF Living Room & Café, we have a good view of the historic ships moored in the oldest and largest museum harbour in the Netherlands, where the port of Rotterdam originated. We leave this informal meeting place in the lobby for now and eagerly accept the keycard from the receptionist. We step into the glass lift to the 3rd floor and enter our temporary domain.

Our spacious room also features maritime details. Above the bed is a copy of an engraving from the atlas ‘Licht der Zeevaart’ (Light of Seafaring), the original of which can be found in the very first sea atlas, once owned by Willem Anton Engelbrecht, a well-known broker in Rotterdam sea freight in the last century. It is flanked by a copy of a 17th-century map of the port city and an image of a Chinese export porcelain plate from the 16th/17th century. At that time, the port of Rotterdam played an important role in the trade of this porcelain. We find the knotted bunch again, this time on the notepad next to the landline telephone on the compact desk. The beds are wonderfully comfortable, and the bathroom is equipped with products from the New York minimalist luxury brand MALIN+GOETZ. And then the best part of the stay is yet to come...

Join Chef Michael Verhagen at his table

Pulling up a chair at Calan Restaurant & Bar, a subtle reference to Pieter Caland, designer of the Nieuwe Waterweg, the connection between the port of Rotterdam and the sea, is a treat. Trust us. We take our seats for Chef Michael Verhagen's Surinamese, Asian and Middle Eastern-inspired five-course dinner. Verhagen previously ruled the roost at Michelin-starred restaurant Fritzgerald. Course after course, dish after dish, our taste buds are working overtime. What this man and his team bring to the table is definitely worth a visit to this hotel. 

At the time of our visit, the wellness floor was undergoing a transformation. Once this area is complete, a stay at Haven Hotel Rotterdam is guaranteed to be a relaxing and enjoyable experience.