vondice – A sludge pumping station turned luxurious one-room hotel
Reduce, reuse, recycle has become quite the mantra of today. With climate change upon us, many people have begun to learn how to make environmentally sustainable changes without lowering our quality of life. Those behind vondice just so happen to be some of them!
The hotel may look quite raw on the outside, but don’t be fooled, inside you’ll find yourself in an architectural masterpiece. Not only is it beautifully decorated with sustainable and luxurious items, but it has all the amenities you need for an incredible overnight stay in the Netherlands’ most famous city, Amsterdam.
History
Once upon a time, in the 1970’s, there existed a sludge return pumping station. It was a part of the Amsterdam East water purification plant that covered Zeeburgereiland. Its mission was to make clean water. However, in 2006 it was dismantled due to the city’s greater need for housing. Out of the entire system, only two identical pumping stations remain today. One was turned into the coffee house De Espressofabriek, while the other was made into this beautiful luxury one-room hotel.
Arrival
The manmade island, Zeeburgereiland, is quite different from what you would expect on a visit to Amsterdam. Located east, we had to take the tram about 15 minutes from the Amsterdam Centraal train station. Walking through, we noticed it had more of a suburban neighborhood vibe, rather than that of a big city. Quieter than what you’d expect, but still very beautiful and picturesque.
The hotel itself is very unique from the outside. Located close to the water, it actually looked very industrial compared to the rest of the area. This surprised me because the hotel is well-known for being luxurious. When we went inside, however, we understood all the hype. It was absolutely stunning!
The one-room hotel
When you walk in, you’ll find yourself standing in the middle of a staircase. On the bottom is a small kitchen equipped with a coffee machine, hot water tap, a hob, combi microwave, crockery, cutlery, and a small fridge, plus a nook that holds a booth for dining. At the top of the stairs is a bedroom. The bedroom sits at the peak of the hotel actually, and once there, you’ll notice another staircase on the other side. This one leads to a luxurious bathroom, with a rain shower and toilet. In the bedroom, you’ll also find a door that opens to a balcony which wraps around the entire building. Outside you can sit on the benches, located on either side of the establishment. Choose between a view of the water or of the charming neighborhood.
Fun fact: one of the most exciting parts of this hotel is the hidden kid’s rooms hidden beneath the stairs. These actually gave the illusion of sleeping in a cave! How cool is that?
Sustainability
Because Zeeburgereiland’s main initiative is to be a sustainable, green neighborhood, it’s no surprise that everything in the hotel is recycled or handmade. The king-size bed, for instance, is made of wood and steel while the mattress is completely organic. The original steel grilles of the plant are now sun blinds on the glass roof and the wall is made up of layers of natural materials. Even the steps of the stairs have been cast and laid one by one. Finally, if you’re driving, you have the option to park your car for free on-site and take one of the two bicycles waiting for you. This way you can get into Amsterdam central emission-free!
A calm evening and morning
This was a different holiday than the usual kind we’d have in Amsterdam. We spent our time basking in the sun on the roof, lounging in the king-size bed, and walking along the water. We wore the robes and slippers provided and drank the cava that was left for us by the owners. Finally, we ordered in because why not? When so many great restaurants are located nearby!
In the morning, breakfast was delivered to our door and the selection was filled with fresh bread from a local bakery, along with cold cuts and organic spreads. We decided to purchase our coffee at the sister site, Espressofabriek – which we highly recommend. When it was time to leave, we left in high spirits because it’s great to know that you can have a sustainable vacation without sacrificing the luxuries we’ve grown accustomed to!
→ This article was written in collaboration with vondice. We got to stay here for free, in exchange for content. Of course, you can read our own opinion here!
