Hybrids are dynamic, multifunctional spaces where people can stay, work, eat and drink, and socialise all under one roof. Over the past 18 months, many hospitality brands have pivoted to a hybrid model in order to maximise revenue and cater to changing guest needs.
In this series, we’re travelling around the world to highlight the brands that are leading the way in this exciting space. This month, we’re heading over to the Netherlands! Here are seven of the leading hybrid hospitality brands in the Netherlands:
1. Zoku, Amsterdam
Born in Amsterdam but recently expanded into Copenhagen and Vienna, Zoku are trailblazers in the hybrid hospitality space. Spearheading the ‘work from anywhere’ revolution, Zoku ‘facilitates living and working internationally for the growing population of globetrotting professionals, remote workers, and digital nomads’.
The award winning Zoku Loft is what makes a stay here so exceptional – the cutting edge home-office hybrid was designed with their guests in mind after 150 interviews with their target demographic. The spacious micro apartments are ideal for both living comfortably and working productively, with the large kitchen table serving as the focal point for both hybrid work and living purposes.
Outside of the rooms, there are plenty of shared social areas from co-working spaces to rooftop gardens which act as community hubs. Each space is designed to give guests and locals alike the chance to connect, work and play.
Moving beyond the traditional hotel proposition of putting heads in beds, their innovative concept has won numerous awards – most recently, the 2021 Dutch Hotel Award – and has become increasingly well-known for its vibrant social spaces and genuine community facilitation.
Zoku has also achieved Bcorp certification in 2018, becoming one of the few hospitality brands in the world to receive this recognition.
Want to learn more about Zoku? Click here to listen to our podcast episide with their co-founder, Hans Meyer.
2. The Student Hotel, across the country
Currently operating 15 properties in 13 European cities, The Student Hotel is a pioneer in the hybrid hospitality space. With 8 sites across the Netherlands alone – including Amsterdam, Delft, Eindhoven, Groningen, Rotterdam, Maastricht, and The Hague – the brand has created buzzing hubs to learn, stay, work and play across the country.
Each urban-campus style property is more than simply a place to sleep with accommodation, co-working spaces, bars, restaurants, gyms and shops all under one roof. Like all Student Hotels, there are also extended stay options so guests can check-in for one night or up to one year.
Nobody could foresee the Covid-19 pandemic however the brand’s flexible hybrid model meant that they were able to utilise their space to suit changing guest demand and achieve strong occupancy despite travel restrictions.
Following on from this success, they have recently secured a phenomenal €300 million investment which will fuel their expansion – there are seven new hotels in the pipeline and 3000 rooms set to be added to their portfolio, so expect to see this award-winning hybrid hospitality concept in a city near you very soon!
3. CityHub, Amsterdam and Rotterdam
Located in both Amsterdam and Rotterdam, CityHub is an urban hotel for digital natives. Serving up the best of both worlds, travellers can experience the comfort of a hotel combined with the feeling of community and the affordability of a hostel.
Replacing traditional hotel rooms with Hubs that are designed to “balance a private experience and a communal style of living” , they are complete with everything guests need to recharge mentally, physically and electronically. This even includes customisable mood lighting and music streaming systems.
With a digital first stance, the brand’s mission is to optimise travel for the next generation, who – according to CityHub – expect a ‘secure, inclusive and personalised experience in a central location’. All guests are provided with a touch-point wristband that operates as both a room key and a charging card for on-property purchases (this includes allowing guests to become their own bartender with one tap of their band!). Guests also have around-the-clock access to local savvy CityHosts through their own branded app.
Next on the list for CityHub are the cities of Barcelona, Brussels, Dublin, Helsinki, London, Oslo, Vienna and more.
4. The Green Elephant, Maastricht
The team at The Green Elephant are on a mission to change the way that people travel. Bringing together digital nomads, sustainability-minded travellers and health lovers alike, this budget-friendly oasis hostel is a trailblazer in its field.
Located in Maastricht, the property boasts a fully-equipped eco spa complete with a sauna, meditation room and micro gym. Outside, there’s an Urban Forest where guests can unplug and get back to nature. Once they’ve recharged, there are also numerous spaces for guests to meet and socialise including the City Nomad Bar and Tiny Theatre.
Dining-wise, there’s an onsite restaurant serving healthy breakfasts and a variety of clean, vegetarian and vegan-friendly meals throughout the day – and even free healthy juices to guests upon arrival.
This hybrid brand is owned by LBG Hotels which have innovative hotel concepts in Maastricht, Eindhoven, Amsterdam and soon also The Hague.
5. Volkshotel, Amsterdam
Volkshotel is a creative hotel based in Amsterdam where locals and travelers are able to gather to eat, drink, work, sleep and play.
Built in a former newspaper building from the 1960s, the 201-room Volkshotel opened to welcome a new generation of nomadic creatives. With a vibrant restaurant and club on the top floor, cocktail bar in the basement as well as the hotel’s signature Werkplaats – a buzzing cafe ideal for remote workers. The hotel is also home to Broedplaats VGK, a coworking space equipped with 85 dedicated hot desks, offices and multimedia studios.
Or, guests can work in their room from their window-seat nook. The brand’s 177 rooms range from regular hotel rooms to nine ‘one of a kind’ rooms specially designed by creative minds, ranging from interior designers in Broedplaats VKG to one of their very own staff members.
More than just a place for tourists to sleep, their affordability, flexibility and easy-going vibe make Volkshotel a place for everyone.
6. Bunk Hotel, Amsterdam & Utrecht
So far, the brand has converted two churches into meeting places for travellers, locals and artists in the cities of Amsterdam and Utrecht. With a focus on varied weekly programming and inclusive shared social spaces, they are striving to ‘to redefine hospitality by creating a place for communal wonderment’.
As well as being a buzzing spot for socialising and connecting with others, BUNK’s dedicated workspaces are also popular with both locals and remote working guests to get down to business.
With a specialty in converting monumental buildings – including churches, warehouses and monasteries – the brand is on the lookout for spots in major cities including Madrid, Berlin, Cape Town, Los Angeles and New York.
Bedankt for reading! We hope you enjoyed learning more about some of the best hybrid hospitality brands in Netherlands.
Are you looking for marketing support for your hybrid hospitality brand? We work with innovative businesses that are changing the way people stay, live, work & play. From hybrid hotels to design hostels and coliving spaces, our clients create spaces that connect like-minded people through shared experiences.
If you’re looking for a marketing team that finally ‘gets it’ – and gets results – you’re in the right place.
Drop us a message and let’s chat about how we can support your brand.
