Amsterdam’s Botel Hotel can be defined anything but “classic”. The white boat moored in the city’s NDSM harbor area is in fact an actual three star hotel, owned by Sandra Chedi since 2011. Despite the unique identity of the facility, the businesswoman wanted to further enhance its appeal by creating a even more unique hotel. This led to the Botel Letters project, designed by MMX studio’s architects - led by Arjan van Ruyven and Michiel van Pelt - together with architect and filmmaker Jord den Hollander. The group brainstorming resulted in a original hospitality solution located on the very roof of the boat where smokestacks once lied. In their place you now have five 6,5-meter-tall letter forming the name of the hotel, BOTEL, and hosting unexpected hotel rooms/lofts.

Due to their captivating look and color, the letters have rapidly become one of Amsterdam’s landmarks as they can be seen from almost every corner of the city: a sign that is as unique as the experience customers enjoy inside the letters. Each loft features a particular interior design, signed by one of the creative minds behind the project. The B loft, by Richard Hutten, features a skate ramp; the O room, by Ronald Hoofd, is inspired by the Histoire d’O namesake book; the T loft represents sort of a captain office, enhanced by oak cladding. Jord den Hollander designed the E loft that pays homage to the history of cinema. The L loft, designed by the Japanese Architect Moriko Kira, is meant to be a “zen” peaceful corner characterized by a colorful minimalism. Botel letters project is an extraordinary work where creativity represents the link that makes sky and ocean meet, bringing a new fresh face to such an unmistakable city.

INFO: mmx-architecten.strikingly.com

PHOTO COURTESY: Marcel van der Burg