New Accor hotel brand in Rotterdam

Handwritten Collection is one of ACCOR Group's newest brands. Since 2023, these hotels have been conquering the market in Europe and beyond. To experience what this new name has to offer, HOTELVAK checks in at Le Marin Boutique Hotel Rotterdam - Handwritten Collection.

From Rotterdam Centraal, we walk past the Groothandelsgebouw across the Weena and the Beukelsdijk. At the junction with the latter street, where Henegouwerplein meets the stately Graaf Florisstraat, we reach our destination, Le Marin Boutique Hotel Rotterdam - Handwritten Collection. The copper plate bearing the mention of the new hotel brand shines in the sun. The first Handwritten Collection hotel in the Netherlands, Hotel Ter Zand in Burgh-Haamstede, opened in 2024, to be joined in 2025 by Le Marin Boutique Hotel Rotterdam - Handwritten Collection alongside Grand Canal Boutique Hotel Amsterdam - Handwritten Collection.

With the sun at our backs, we enter the hotel and step into an interior that seamlessly blends fierce and elegant. The dark tones are bold and distinctive, the likes of which we have not seen before in a hotel entrance, but also exude luxury. The friendly ladies at reception, a space that flows seamlessly into Bar Bató the hotel's meeting place, look momentarily startled when we want to check in. Our reservation is untraceable in the system. Fortunately - for both parties - our room turns out to be reserved after all and we can enter our temporary home on the fourth floor of the beautiful building. Due to the commotion, the glass of bubbles at the check-in desk in the lobby, which all guests receive as a welcome, has slipped by. Nevertheless, we immediately feel welcome at Le Marin and in Rotterdam West.

Sleep like a rose

In the lobby, in the room, wherever we look, we see references to shipping. Not entirely surprising if the hotel listens to the name Le Marin, or sailor. Elko Brouwers, operations manager, explains the nautical theme; "Our owner's grandfather used to be a skipper, which we have subtly implemented. In addition, it is also a reference to Rotterdam as an international port city."

The rooms at the hotel are small in size but grand in every convenience. Besides beds that are truly blissful, the room is equipped with a Lavazza Classy Mini coffee machine, among other things, and the bathroom is fitted with products from The Spa Collection. In short, a room that combines style, comfort and impressive design.

Healthy again

What is it always? When you want to enjoy your hotel bed to the fullest, you wake up early? Like everything in life, this disadvantage has an advantage; namely, more time for the breakfast buffet. Quickly downstairs where luxury rolls and fresh coffee await us. "Would you perhaps like a fried egg or another egg dish? Then we will prepare it for you in our kitchen," one of the staff kindly informs us as we sit down next to a French couple. When we have actually had enough breakfast, we swap this cosy space for the sunny terrace. A cup of tea a chocolate roll, it just about fits. 

After breakfast, we walk with Elko to Le Petit Marin Boutique Hotel, our hotel's little brother. "This place is here for the carefree, independent traveller," he explains upon entering the premises. "No check-in desk or bar here, but those who still appreciate that cosiness are of course welcome in our other premises."

Le Marin has 35 rooms and Le Petit Marin has 33 rooms, both locations guarantee a characterful hospitality experience. ACCOR's Handwritten can further be found in popular cities such as Paris, Krakow, San Francisco, Sydney and Singapore.