Where to Stay in Rotterdam: Best Areas & Hotels
Discover where to stay in Rotterdam, from design-forward boutiques to stylish waterfront escapes.
Rotterdam is one of those cities where each neighborhood has its own personality, and you really feel it when you’re staying there. The center is busy and convenient, the waterfront districts are full of modern architecture and skyline views, and the more residential areas have that everyday-local rhythm that makes you feel like you actually live here (even if it’s just for a few nights).
What surprised me most when I first started spending time in Rotterdam was how good the design hotel scene is. This is a city that leans into contemporary style—clean lines, good lighting, thoughtful interiors—and it shows in the hotels.
Whether you’re into small boutique places, something with a strong wellness angle, or a classic big-brand stay where you can use points, there’s a spot for you.
So, if you’re planning a trip and trying to figure out where to stay in Rotterdam, this guide breaks down the best neighborhoods and hotels based on what kind of trip you want, how you like to explore, and the kind of atmosphere you want to come home to at the end of the day.
*This ‘where to stay in Rotterdam’ guide may contain affiliate links meaning I might make a small profit if you choose to book at no extra cost to you. This helps me to keep providing you with top-quality content for free.
Short on Time? Here’s the short version:
Best Area for First-Timers: City Center (Centrum), Cool District, or Kop Van Zuid
Best Area for Returning Visitors: Kop Van Zuid, Centrum, Rotterdam Noord
Best Luxury Hotel in Rotterdam: My top pick would be the Hotel New York. Rotterdam Marriott Hotel for the best of the big brands.
Best Boutique Hotel in Rotterdam for Design Travelers: Morgan & Mees Rotterdam or Hotel âme
What is the Best Area to Stay in Rotterdam?
In my experience, Centrum is the best area to stay in Rotterdam, especially if it’s your first time in the city. It’s central, well-connected, and easy to get around on foot or by bike. When I stayed here, I barely needed public transport—I could get to most museums, restaurants, and sights just by walking out the door.
You’ll be near big landmarks like the Markthal, Cube Houses, Museumpark, and Rotterdam Centraal station, so it’s just straightforward and convenient.
Within Centrum, the Cool District is where to stay if you want to be close to the action. It has a younger, lively feel with lots of bars, coffee shops, boutiques, and places to eat.
If you’d rather stay somewhere with more of a design-forward, waterfront vibe, consider Kop van Zuid. It’s just across the river and has more of that modern-architecture-meets-luxury-small-district feel.
This is where you’ll find some of the city’s most stylish hotels and great views—plus it’s still easy to reach Centrum by metro, bike, or even walking over the Erasmusbrug.
My Top Picks for Places to Stay in Rotterdam
If you’re like me and you love boutique hotels or small luxury hideouts with a strong design feel, then these are the places you’ll want to book straight away.
Rotterdam does contemporary design really well, and these hotels are great examples of that—stylish, comfortable, and in good locations.
Morgan & Mees Rotterdam – Morgan & Mees is the kind of place you walk into and instantly feel like you’ve made the right choice. It has a clean, modern interior with warm touches that make it feel really welcoming. The rooms are bright and well-designed, and the restaurant downstairs is genuinely good.
I also liked the location—close enough to the center to walk everywhere, but not right in the busiest part.
Hotel âme – This one is for minimalists. It’s small, simple, and very well thought out. Think neutral tones, natural materials, and calming spaces. It almost feels more like staying in a beautifully designed guesthouse than a hotel.
I love the café downstairs too—it’s the sort of place where you sit with your morning coffee and feel like you actually live in the neighborhood.
Hotel New York – Hotel New York is more iconic and has a totally different vibe. It’s set inside the former headquarters of the Holland America Line on the waterfront, and it’s full of history. The design is a bit more eclectic and characterful, and the building itself has a story to tell.
I stayed here once for the novelty of it, and waking up by the river with the city skyline around you really does feel special. Plus, the restaurant and bar are lively, so you don’t have to go far for a good meal or drink.
Best Areas to Stay in Rotterdam, Netherlands
Centrum (City Center)
Centrum is the easiest and most convenient place to stay in Rotterdam. This is where you’ll find most of the city’s main landmarks, museums, shops, and restaurants, so it’s a great base if you want to be able to walk everywhere.
When I stay in Centrum, I really like that I don’t have to plan my days around transport—everything from the Markthal and the Cube Houses to Museumpark and Lijnbaan shopping street is close by. You’re also right near Rotterdam Centraal station, which makes arriving, day-tripping, or leaving super straightforward.
It’s a practical area with a good mix of hotels, cafés, and bars, and while it’s busy, it never feels too overwhelming. If it’s your first visit or you like having everything at your fingertips, Centrum is the best choice.
Where to Stay in Rotterdam Centrum
Morgan & Mees Rotterdam – A stylish, modern boutique stay with warm, welcoming interiors and a great on-site restaurant. It’s central but still feels calm, making it a solid base for exploring the city. One of the best hotels in Rotterdam.
Supernova Hotel – Supernova Hotel has that relaxed, creative boutique feel without trying too hard. The design leans into colorful, contemporary interiors with plenty of personality—think patterned textiles, curated books, and little touches that make the rooms feel lived-in rather than overly styled.
There’s also a vinyl library and a cozy lounge area if you want to hang out outside your room. Location-wise, it’s just outside the busiest part of Centrum, so you still have easy access to everything but with a bit more breathing room. It’s a great choice if you want something stylish and independent with a casual, local vibe.
Rotterdam Marriott Hotel – If you’re looking to stay with points or you simply prefer a familiar big-brand experience, the Rotterdam Marriott is one of the best options in the city. It’s right across from Rotterdam Centraal station, so getting around is as easy as stepping outside.
The rooms are comfortable and well-equipped, and the higher floors have some great city views. While it doesn’t have the boutique personality of some of the smaller hotels, it makes up for it with convenience, reliable service, and perks if you’re part of the Marriott Bonvoy program.
citizenM Rotterdam – A sharp, tech-savvy hotel right in the city centre near Oude Haven and Blaak station, citizenM offers compact but well-designed rooms with iPad room control, 24/7 snacks and bar service, and a youthful, modern vibe.
Haven Hotel Rotterdam, Curio Collection – If you’re looking for a stay with a strong wellness angle, this is one of the best options in the city. The hotel has spa facilities, saunas, and relaxation areas, so it’s a good pick if you like to unwind after a day of exploring.
The rooms are modern and comfortable, and many have great city or waterfront views. It’s also in a convenient central location near the river, so you’re close to plenty of restaurants and sights while still having a calm place to come back to.
Cool District
Technically, the Cool District sits within Centrum, but it often feels like its own distinct neighborhood. It’s one of those areas where you immediately pick up on the energy—lively streets, independent boutiques, coffee bars, small galleries, and plenty of spots for late-night drinks.
This area has a younger, creative feel without being chaotic or majorly touristy. You’re still close to all the major sights in the city center, but the area itself has enough going on that you could easily spend most of your time just exploring the local streets.
If you want a base where you can step outside and instantly feel plugged into Rotterdam’s everyday scene, Cool District is a great option and yes, it’s really called that.
Where to Stay in Cool District
Hotel âme – A small, minimalist boutique stay with calming, beautifully designed rooms and a great café downstairs. Ideal if you like clean aesthetics and a more low-key, local-feeling base. This is probably my favorite hotel in Rotterdam.
The Usual Rotterdam – The Usual has a young, social vibe and feels a bit like a boutique hotel-meets-hostel. The private rooms are simple and modern, but they also offer more budget-friendly rooms with shared bathrooms, so it’s a good pick if you’re trying to keep costs down without staying somewhere bland.
The atmosphere is relaxed and friendly, and the location is central enough that you can walk to most things. It’s a solid mid-range option if you like a casual, communal environment.
Kop Van Zuid & Katendrecht
Kop van Zuid and Katendrecht sit just across the river from Centrum and offer a slightly different feel—more modern, more spacious, and with some of the best waterfront views in the city. This area feels a little calmer and more polished, but still very easy to get to the center by walking over the Erasmusbrug or hopping on the metro.
Kop van Zuid is known for its bold contemporary architecture and design-led hotels. This is also where you’ll find the iconic Hotel New York and a handful of upscale restaurants with views over the Maas River.
Katendrecht, just next door, has a more local, up-and-coming vibe with great bars, coffee shops, and one of my favorite food halls in Rotterdam, Fenix Food Factory.
If you like staying somewhere visually striking, near the water, and a bit quieter at night, Kop van Zuid and Katendrecht are great alternatives to the more central bustle of Centrum.
Where to Stay in Kop Van Zuid & Katendrecht
Hotel New York – One of the best hotels in Rotterdam – a classic. The building itself has a lot of character and that slightly nostalgic maritime feel, but the atmosphere is relaxed and welcoming rather than formal.
It’s right on the waterfront in Kop van Zuid, so you get great views and an easy jumping-off point for exploring both sides of the river. The restaurant and bar are also popular with locals, so it never feels like you’re tucked away in a tourist-only spot.
Room Mate Bruno – Located in the design-forward Kop van Zuid district, Room Mate Bruno blends bold style with comfort—it’s housed in a former Dutch East India Company tea warehouse and features colorful interiors, a rooftop terrace, spa/sauna facilities, and a central patio bar.
Suitehotel Pincoffs – Suitehotel Pincoffs is a small boutique hotel with a lot of personality and charm. It’s set in a beautifully restored historic building, and the rooms feel individually designed rather than cookie-cutter.
The atmosphere is relaxed and warm, and the service is genuinely personal—more like staying in a stylish townhouse than a traditional hotel. If you prefer something unique and intimate over a big-brand stay, this is a great choice.
Delfshaven & Rotterdam-West
If you prefer something a bit quieter and more local, Delfshaven and Rotterdam-West are good areas to look at. Delfshaven is one of the few parts of Rotterdam that still has its historic feel, with canal-side streets, old warehouses, and small cafés that make it nice for slow wandering.
It’s a great option if you want a more atmospheric base and don’t mind being a short tram or metro ride from the center.
Rotterdam-West, especially around Nieuwe Westen, has a more residential, creative vibe. There are some great neighborhood coffee shops, smaller restaurants, and local markets here, and it feels less polished than the city center—but in a way that’s interesting rather than inconvenient.
It’s the kind of area where you’ll see more everyday Rotterdam life rather than just the highlights. If you’re happy being a little outside the main action, both neighborhoods offer a calmer stay with an authentic local feel.
Where to Stay in Delfshaven & Rotterdam-West
There aren’t a ton of hotel options in this part of the city, so if you’re set on staying in Delfshaven or Rotterdam-West, I’d take a look at VRBOs or apartment rentals instead.
These neighborhoods have more residential streets and lived-in spaces, so staying in a rental often feels more natural here anyway.
The Middelland Hotel, Sonder – A strong pick if you like the idea of a boutique-feel stay, with the backing of a known loyalty brand. The hotel offers 36 rooms that are neatly furnished with coffee/tea facilities, a desk, and fast WiFi. While the rooms aren’t huge, top marks go to cleanliness, comfort, and value.
Rotterdam Noord
Rotterdam Noord has more of a neighborhood feel, with leafy streets, local cafés, and a slightly slower pace than the city center. It’s a nice area if you want a quieter base while still being within easy reach of everything—Rotterdam Centraal is close by, and you can get into Centrum in just a few minutes by tram or bike.
The area has a lived-in and creative feel, with plenty of independent spots to stop for coffee or lunch. It’s a good fit if you want something more residential, family-oriented and relaxed, without being too far from the main sights.
Where to Stay in Rotterdam Noord
One thing to keep in mind is that hotel options aren’t the strongest point in Rotterdam Noord. There just aren’t many places to stay here compared to Centrum or Kop van Zuid. If you’re set on staying in Noord because you like the atmosphere, I’d suggest looking at apartment rentals or short-term stays instead.
It’s an area where living like a local actually feels natural, and a rental gives you that home-base vibe that suits the neighborhood well.
Man Met Bril Koffie Hotel – Just outside the main Noord area, this place is a real find—especially if you’re into specialty coffee and design-backed stays. The hotel sits by the river at Linker Rottekade and features an on-site roastery, brew bar and restaurant all tied into the guest experience.
You’ll find high-quality rooms, strong WiFi, and a relaxed atmosphere, with breakfast or brunch that actually warrants getting up early. It’s slightly off the central hub, which means a calmer stay, yet still close enough to the action when you want it.
So, where will you stay in Rotterdam, Netherlands? Share your questions and comments below—I’d love to hear from you!
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