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At the end of 2025, Van der Valk Hotel Volendam opened the doors of a completely renovated main building. Especially the public areas were given a new look: from entrance and lobby to hotel bar, restaurant and meeting rooms. The hotel engaged dEP de Sfeerontwerpers for the lighting design and implementation, including complete lighting control.
According to dEP, the team was given almost complete design freedom in this project. “In a renovation, you often have to take existing installations and limitations into account. Here, we could really start from scratch and create a concept that suits the new look of the hotel,” says engineer Raymon van Zoest.
dEP finds that hotels are increasingly consciously opting for an ambience closer to successful hospitality concepts. “New buildings and major renovations give room to think out of the box,” explains ambience designer Sammy Anders. “Many clients want to move away from traditional hotel interiors. They are looking for an experience that is more modern and exciting. We often start with the public areas. If the collaboration goes well, the entrance, façade and exterior lighting also follow.”
Hotel manager Mireille Ortiz of Van der Valk Volendam recognises that approach. “It's exciting because it's really something different from what people were used to. But the reactions are super positive. We get a lot of compliments.”
For the design, dEP collaborated with Valk Design. Ortiz: “They focus more on the decorative part and dEP on the functional. That just turned out to be a good combination. dEP came up with solutions we hadn't thought of ourselves, for example lighting in a round stage, in a cupboard or under the bar.” ∂
Details also play an important role, according to Ortiz. “At one point, we were talking about something typically Volendam, and then came the idea of making a shelf with a bell jar with an element underneath. That kind of thing makes the interior unique.”
A striking part of the lighting plan is the large decorative luminaire in the entrance hall, which immediately attracts attention upon entering. Anders: “The client wanted a chandelier, but a classic version did not fit with the renovated interior. We looked for a more modern interpretation.”
Ortiz calls the luminaire the project's eye-catcher. “Everyone who comes in stops for a moment to look at it. That says it all.”
The luminaire consists of 24 cables of 4.5 metres in length, with individual LED light sources. The lamp forms a connecting element between architecture and interior and immediately sets the tone for the rest of the building.
Besides luminaires and light lines, lighting control played a particularly important role in the project. Instead of separate dimmers, the hotel opted for a system with fixed scenes tailored to the use of the various rooms.
Ortiz: “Before, you just had a dimmer button. Now we have several settings per room. In the bar there are four, in the restaurant even more. Think morning mode, meeting mode, dinner mode and in the evening a party mode. It all happens automatically. That's super nice, because otherwise everyone starts turning a different knob.’
According to Van Zoest, such an approach requires a good lighting plan. “People sometimes ask why so many spotlights are needed. That has to do with the field of tension between light and dark. You want to create zones and build atmosphere, but at the same time it has to remain functional. Then choosing the right light source is at least as important as the luminaire itself.”
In the project, dEP opted for an installation with central drivers to limit technology above ceilings. According to the company, this makes the system maintenance-friendly and more adaptable for future changes. The lighting plan also complies with BREEAM guidelines.
Anders emphasises that dEP is consciously committed to speed and efficiency in execution. “We have spent a lot of time internally streamlining our cooperation. We want to consult briefly and switch quickly. In this project, Raymon was able to translate the creative plan directly into execution. The success of a design ultimately depends on the collaboration with the client.”
With the renovated interior and the expansion of catering facilities, Van der Valk Volendam emphatically positions itself as a location for accommodation, gastronomy and business meetings. In spring 2026, outdoor location De Zegen will also open.
Ortiz looks back on the process positively. “The dEP staff are good at communication, honour agreements and adjust things quickly when necessary. In such a big process you always come across things. Then it's very nice when you can switch quickly.”
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