Mainport hotel | MAS Architectuur

Water taxis, speedboats and party vessels all stop at Mainport’s private dock, which overlooks Rotterdam’s inner harbor and the city’s jagged skyline, known locally as Manhattan on the Maas. From here, a wave-like pattern on the floor draws passersby in towards the hotel’s waterfront lobby, which – with floor-to-ceiling windows on both sides – feels almost translucent. This visibility is important because, as part of the hotel’s central concept, owner Karin Geurts wanted local neighbors to feel as welcome as the guests are. To this end, both the quayside cocktail bar On the Rocks and the Down Under restaurant are accessed by panoramic glass elevators or glass-sided staircases. The overall feeling is one of openness and luxury, and the interiors – designed by Feran Thomassen – combine modern international influences with traditional Dutch styling. The resulting spaces are familiar yet inspiring for everyone who visits, much like the international food and cocktails. Architecturally Rotterdam is a fairly new city, so it’s apt that Mainport was purpose-designed by the experts at MAS Architectuur (the site was previously occupied by an old Imax cinema). The hotel’s step-like façade is a lattice of black panels and wide glass windows, which reflect in the calm waters of the innerharbor. These windows also light up the five different types of bedrooms and give an extra sense of indulgence to the Waterfront Spa rooms, where huge Jacuzzis give views across the city. All 215 rooms – from the 68 sq m Mainport Suite on the top floor to the still-spacious City XL rooms – have bathrooms clad in marbled tiles,and vivid wall coverings that give subtle nods to faraway places. Extras like mirror TVs and whirlpool baths have been cleverly slotted into each room to make them feel even more spacious. Guests seeking the ultimate in relaxation can head to Spa Heaven, on the eighth floor, where designers have made it easy to seek solace in a panoramic Finnish sauna, a Turkish steam room or a specially designed Hamam area offering rejuvenating body scrubs. There is also a cool and calm lounge area for pre- and post-treatment relaxation. Meanwhile, those at Mainport on business will appreciate the 550 sq m conference room that overlooks the water, giving tantalizing glimpses of the historic Harbor Museum and the asymmetrical Erasmus Bridge, which links Rotterdam’s north and south. So although Mainport has influences from right around the world, there’s no forgetting that Rotterdam is the hotel’s home.