The Rebyl: A Hotel that dares to be different

Former Nijmegen girls' school now mix of heritage and design

The heavy, historic doors swing open and a playful energy fills the space. In the heart of Nijmegen, where history meets progress, stands The Rebyl. Housed in a former school building from 1922, this boutique hotel is a unique blend of heritage and modern design. But The Rebyl is more than a hotel-it is a place where hospitality, creativity and community spirit go hand in hand.

Step into The Rebyl and you enter a piece of Nijmegen history. The building, once a girls' school, was a symbol of emancipation and progress. That same spirit of renewal can still be felt today. The transformation from school to hotel was done with respect for the past, but with a keen eye on the future.

The result is a hotel where the original architecture has been preserved, but where modern comfort and rebellious playfulness have added a new layer. Think high ceilings, historic details and large windows that let in the light. The spaces are designed to spark your creativity-from the art in the corridors to the flexible meeting spaces and the playful details in the rooms. Here you won't find standard hotel rooms, but spaces that invite you to think, create and relax. 

Hospitality as an experience

What makes The Rebyl different? Here, you are not a spectator, but part of a vibrant community. The hotel is an incubator for meeting and inspiration, bringing together business travellers and urban adventurers alike. Every space in The Rebyl has been created to encourage interaction and connection. It is a place where conversations start, friendships grow and ideas come to life.

The beating heart of the hotel? Madame Liberty, the restaurant and bar. The name says it all: freedom, expression and daring are the focus here. The dishes are as rebellious as the atmosphere-bold combinations and playful presentation make dining here an experience. From local delicacies to creative dishes, Madame Liberty is not an addition to the hotel, but a destination in itself. The bar, with its classic cocktails and relaxed ambience, is a meeting place for hotel guests and locals alike.

The Rebyl as pioneer

The Rebyl never stands still. The hotel continues to experiment, innovate and connect. It may be a meeting place where new ideas, forward-thinking and inspiring conversations come together. This is not just where people spend the night-this is where they think, discover and inspire. Guests leave with more than just a rested night: a new idea, an inspiring conversation or simply a renewed sense of freedom.

Tribute Portfolio: creative freedom 

The Rebyl is part of Marriott International's prestigious Tribute Portfolio, a collection of independent hotels with their own character. Odyssey Hotel Group, the operator behind The Rebyl, chose to franchise this brand because it offers the perfect balance between creative freedom and global support. With access to Marriott's marketing, distribution channels and extensive loyalty programme, The Rebyl can reach a wider audience without sacrificing the local character and personalised experience. This partnership not only strengthens the hotels' international appeal, but also their local identity.

Odyssey Hotel Group: The Story Behind The Hotels

When you step into one of Odyssey Hotel Group's hotels, it feels like entering a carefully written story. Each hotel tells its own unique story through design, atmosphere and hospitality. Odyssey is not a traditional hotel group, but a collection of destinations that inspire you. With 23 hotels across Europe, including The Rebyl, Odyssey knows exactly how to offer guests a unique experience that will stay with them for a long time.

In the Benelux, The Rebyl has successful sister hotels such as Hotel Nassau in Breda, The Den in 's-Hertogenbosch and Sapphire House in Antwerp. Each of these locations contributes to the strength of the network by combining their own identity and unique guest experience with Odyssey's core values. The presence of multiple fellow hotels in the region creates valuable synergies, such as knowledge sharing, joint training courses and opportunities for internal mobility. This offers employees the opportunity to gain experiences in different environments, while guests benefit from consistent quality and surprising experiences.

Odyssey's success starts with their passion for design and storytelling. Every project-be it a new hotel or the renovation of an existing property-is an opportunity to create something special. They work closely with architects, designers and local partners to ensure each hotel has a soul to match its surroundings. At Odyssey, the past is embraced and connected to the future, creating hotels where both guests and employees feel at home.  

Growth and inspiration

Behind Odyssey's success is a dedicated and creative team. Working at Odyssey means being part of a dynamic organisation where innovation, collaboration and personal development are key. But what makes working at Odyssey so special? It is the culture where everyone has the opportunity to grow and excel.

Instead of traditional structures, there is an atmosphere of freedom and entrepreneurship. Employees are encouraged to contribute ideas, think out-of-the-box and help build the unique projects that Odyssey brings to life. A day at Odyssey can range from developing new concepts to organising events that surprise and inspire guests.

It is also a place where fun and hard work go hand in hand. Hospitality is not only taken seriously at Odyssey; it is celebrated. This makes Odyssey not only an inspiring workplace, but also a place where you can really make a difference as an individual.

Growth and development

Odyssey believes that growth is not only about the hotels, but also about the people who work there. Employees are given opportunities to develop themselves through training, workshops and mentoring programmes. Collaboration and knowledge sharing create a culture where everyone helps each other to progress.

And growth is not limited to individual careers; at Odyssey, the team as a whole grows. New projects provide continuous opportunities for internal mobility, allowing employees to take on new challenges and continue to broaden their horizons. This shared journey is what makes the group so strong: together they grow, together they take new steps.

Looking to the future

With ambitious plans for expansion, Odyssey continues to grow, but always with an eye on their core values: working together, taking responsibility, exuding positivity and remaining entrepreneurial. These values ensure that every new project, acquisition and innovation is carried out with the same commitment to quality and creativity.

Next quarter, Odyssey will open a new hotel: Moxy Hamburg Finkenwerder, a vibrant 135-room destination. This new project strengthens their position in the European market and demonstrates how Odyssey continues to invest in growth and innovation. With a total of 3,800 rooms across 23 hotels in Europe, Odyssey is building a strong network that allows guests and employees alike to have unique experiences.

Odyssey is more than a hotel group. It is a network of stories, people and experiences that together create something unique. And The Rebyl is a great example of that: a place where guests and staff come not just to stay, but to learn, grow and be inspired. Those who become part of the Odyssey story know that it never stops evolving-it remains an adventure shared