By Marine Girard | Thursday 7 May 2026
Perched atop the third tower of the De Rotterdam, the iconic masterpiece by Dutch architect Rem Koolhaas, the nhow Rotterdam is unlike any other hotel. Nestled on the south bank of the Maas, just a stone’s throw from the celebrated Erasmus Bridge, it offers one of the most spectacular views of Rotterdam’s skyline · an urban panorama that effortlessly rivals Europe’s most beautiful cities. But the view is only part of the story: the comfort, cleanliness, service, and breakfast made our stay a true success. Here’s our verdict after several nights on site.
📲 To book your stay at nhow Rotterdam, you can book via this partner link.
nhow Rotterdam, the Hotel with the Best View in the City
The location, in itself, justifies a visit. Housed within the De Rotterdam complex, designed by Rem Koolhaas (OMA), the nhow occupies the third tower of this iconic Rotterdam skyline landmark. All ‘river view’ rooms overlook the Maas, the Erasmus Bridge, and the buildings of the Wijnhaven district, an absolutely breathtaking spectacle, especially at sunset and dusk, when the city lights illuminate one by one.
The Suite with a View: A Grand Spectacle
We stayed in a River View Suite, and the experience begins the moment you open the door: a wall of floor-to-ceiling windows spanning almost the entire width of the room, opening onto the Erasmus Bridge and the Maas. The decor embraces contemporary Dutch design · sharp angles, dominant white and black, clean lines · and even if the overall impression might seem a little cold at first (we’ll come back to this), the quality of execution is undeniable: premium bedding, perfect soundproofing, and generous natural light.
As for the bathroom, it is exceptionally well-appointed: an XXL walk-in shower, a separate bathtub, a double vanity, and toiletries from a local brand. Everything is bright, immaculately maintained, and the cleanliness is almost obsessive · a point on which nhow never compromises.
The first time you draw the curtains in the morning, the view of the Erasmus Bridge is so striking that you forget to have your coffee · it takes a good ten minutes to recover. · Marine Girard (Editor, La Revue des Hôtels)
The Bar and Restaurant: The Soul of the Place
The hotel places great emphasis on its communal areas · the bar, restaurant, and lobby · and this is where the atmosphere truly comes alive. The ground-floor bar, open to the city, attracts local clientele in addition to residents: it’s lively, stylish, and perfect for a cocktail before or after dinner. The signature restaurant offers well-executed international cuisine, with a good vegetarian selection and fresh seasonal produce.
Sauna, Fitness Room: The Wellness Area
A pleasant surprise: the wellness area is genuinely high quality and freely accessible to residents (no hidden extra costs). It features a sauna in perfect condition, a modern and well-equipped fitness room (cardio, guided weights, free weights) with · once again · a panoramic view while you train. For a city hotel, it is one of the most accomplished fitness facilities we have tested in recent months.
Breakfast: Abundant and Refined
The buffet breakfast, served in the panoramic view restaurant, is one of the highlights of the stay: fresh pastries, Dutch cheeses, cold cuts, eggs cooked to order, fresh fruit, squeezed juices, viennoiseries, organic and vegetarian options. Everything is beautifully presented, constantly replenished, and the product quality is impeccable. Ample to keep you going until a late lunch.
The Hotel in Video (Our Instagram Reel)
The Service: Impeccable and Genuine
Special mention must go to the team: from reception to the restaurant, and through to the concierge service, the staff are of a rare kindness, professional, attentive to detail, and genuinely smiling. This is what transforms a decent hotel into a memorable one · and it was probably the best surprise of our stay.
A Few Points to Note Before Booking
Not everything is perfect, and we want to be honest:
- The bar and lobby are open to external visitors in the evening. While this contributes to the atmosphere, it creates a drawback: the central lift quickly becomes saturated between 7 PM and 11 PM, and guests might find themselves waiting several minutes to go down for dinner or up to their rooms. For a hotel of this calibre, this is a genuine area for improvement.
- The decor can seem a little impersonal and cold. The design approach · sharp angles, dominant black and white, very geometric lines · makes sense within an OMA building, but at times one wonders if they are in a hotel or an architect’s office. It lacks a little warmth, texture, and life.
Verdict: An Unforgettable Visual City Break
Despite these two minor drawbacks, the nhow Rotterdam remains one of the best hotel experiences one can have in Rotterdam. For the incomparable view, for the meticulous cleanliness, for the quality of the staff, the sauna, the fitness facilities, and the breakfast · every detail is thoughtfully considered. If you are looking for a design address for a city break in the Netherlands, go ahead with your eyes closed. And absolutely request a River View room: that is where the magic of the experience truly lies.
📲 To book your stay at nhow Rotterdam, you can book via this partner link.
