Twice a year I organize for a fashion client (Xandres.com) their catalogue shoots. As we work with the Amsterdam based fashion photographer Wendelien Daan and an all-Dutch crew, it’s always a question of finding an affordable but cool place to crash during the shooting days. Last shoot I booked The Brooklyn Hotel.

The Brooklyn Hotel opened it’s doors in September last year and is one of the landmarks in Amsterdam Noord. It’s the only high building in the environment that is not an office, a container or a crane. The Brooklyn Hotel is nested in the middle of a shipyard, where people still work during the day. There is a paying parking in front of the hotel, and if you want travel back to the city, take the boat (In Dutch it’s called ‘het pondje’), that brings you (for free) in 10 minutes to the Central Station & Amsterdam city. Check the return schedule, to reassure your return at night.

I must say, I chose the hotel for the view. I asked for the top floor 7 (5 and 6 are also perfect) to enjoy the most smashing view on Amsterdam and the Amstel River.  Be careful not to choose floor 8 as the rooms there are covered with paneling that blocks the view. Weird enough the hotel suites are on the ground floor, spacious & nice but you entirely miss the city view. Bizarre….

So, I booked a family room on the 7 th floor. The moment you enter your room, you know why.

At night the lights over Amsterdam and the river are breath taking, and I had a small flash back of my stay at the Whyte Hotel in Brooklyn ( Uber-amazing view on Manhattan last year). In the morning you are witnessing of all kind of ‘busyness’ on the docks, but you also discover a deserted, streetart covered submarine in the water, a boatel ship with enormous red letters on the roof and on the concrete square in front of the hotel, a tiny ‘left-behind’ swimming pool (turned skate ramp later). You must see it for real to believe it.

Reception is warm, professional and friendly. Water with herbs is offered by arrival, the hotel restaurant is open until 10 pm and in the rooms the hotel offers Nespresso coffee as a morning shot.

Breakfast is ok, the homemade granola is great, the chef makes you a fresh baked egg and the buffet is inviting.

Ah yes, did I mention the hotel offers free bikes to get you in town? (Take your bike on the boat). A nice gesture and another asset of this interesting hotel. 

Hotel Brooklyn is maybe not situated in the city center but the cool vibe of the neighborhood, the great rooms and the fab view are more than worth visiting. Definitely a Squid Stories address.

Let me know when you went and what you think about it.

Later!

Kate

©All pictures by Kate Stockman_THE SQUID STORIES