4 Best Hotels in Rotterdam, Netherlands

The town-house facade is dramatically yoked to a metallic skyscraper, and rooms have been renovated in uncluttered modern styles; the best are those at the back overlooking a quiet, grassy garden. The Park restaurant in the classical surroundings of the old wing of the hotel serves a menu inspired by chef Erik van Loo of the Parkheuvel, and it has a garden terrace open in summer. Another plus is the staff, who offer the sort of apparently effortless, unobtrusive attention to your every need that makes a stay here very pleasant.

The friendly and gregarious owner proudly refreshes rooms on a rotating basis, with the always-modern decor of each floor determined by the current best buys in furniture, plus there is a bar-lounge, as well as a small restaurant with a summer-garden extension. "Comfort" rooms are worth the small premium for additional facilities like refrigerators, tea/coffeemaking equipment, and air-conditioning.

The majority of the rooms in this modern high-rise, built at the opening to the Leuvehaven inner harbor, have water views and all are simply but tastefully decorated, wearing a designer-look edge. The conservatory-style breakfast room overlooks a terrace for true relaxation, and a top-floor health club includes a pool and a sauna. An incredibly friendly staff goes to real effort to make your stay pleasant.

If you're on a budget, this modern hostel in the middle of the city is just the ticket, and it occupies several of Rotterdam's most iconic and eye-catching buildings: the Piet Blom–designed "cube houses," built in 1984 between Blaak station and the Oude Haven (home to several good waterside bars). It's hard to figure out how they find space for 250 beds inside these oddly shaped structures with few obvious vertical walls, but they do. Dorms contain four to nine beds, but each has its own en suite bathroom. Book way in advance to try for one of the five double rooms, best for extra privacy. There's air-conditioning, which is unusual for a hostel. The entrance is up one level from the street, accessed via steps or a ramp.