Sustainable Hotels in Rotterdam

Rotterdam is a city that looks towards the future. Pioneers and makers shape its future through green and social initiatives, from Stadskwekerij De Kas and the Sponge Garden to floating farms and the energy-neutral Floating Office. Sustainability is part of daily life here, and your city trip can reflect that too.

Travelling consciously starts with small choices. Arrive by train, eat locally and stay in a sustainable hotel. Many hotels in Rotterdam invest in circular design and energy-saving solutions. Solar panels, heat pumps and smart water systems are common, while interiors show careful material choices. It all adds up to a stay that feels good, in every sense.

At The Usual on Westblaak, sustainability is part of the idea from the very beginning. This is one of the most forward-thinking sustainable hotels in Rotterdam, founded by hospitality professionals who believed travel could have a positive impact. Existing buildings are transformed into energy-efficient design hotels where locals and visitors naturally come together.

Look closely and you see the story everywhere. Floors made from recycled plastic, sinks crafted from reclaimed wood and lamps created from old badminton shuttlecocks. A green roof supports biodiversity, while the menu focuses on food and drinks from local suppliers.

Staying here also gives back. For every night booked, 100 litres of clean drinking water are donated to families in developing countries through MadeBlue. 

Guests who book directly also support The Usual’s initiative of removing plastic from rivers via Clear Rivers.

Falling asleep on the water, surrounded by Rotterdam’s skyline, is part of the experience at Wikkelboat. These floating tiny houses form a modern eco-hotel concept, built from sustainable materials and designed to be energy efficient, with most of the energy being generated on site.

Wikkelboats can be found in two locations, Rijnhaven and Wijnhaven. There are different sizes and layouts, and some even include a jacuzzi on the rear deck. Wake up refreshed and let the water set the pace of your day. Rent a boat, canoe, pedal boat or stand-up paddleboard and explore the city from a new angle.

Suitehotel Pincoffs shows that sustainable hotels can also feel warm, elegant and full of character. Choose to skip housekeeping for a day and the hotel plants a tree in return. These efforts, among many others, have earned a Gold Green Key certificate and a Gaia Award.

Sustainability is woven into the building. Solar panels cover the green roof, and energy-saving boilers and heat pumps are used throughout. Inside, historic doors that no longer met safety standards have been given a second life as minibars, desks and mirrors.

Housed in a listed building from 1879, every room feels different. From rooftop suites with kitchenettes to wellness suites with whirlpool baths and steam cabins, comfort is never compromised.

The Bellhop on Witte de Withstraat is made for travellers who enjoy the energy of the city while caring for the planet. This compact eco-hotel takes inspiration from tiny houses, with smart layouts that make the most of every metre. Cork and bamboo add warmth and keep materials natural and responsible.

Step outside and the city is right there. In the lobby café HOPS, DJs regularly set the mood, while the surrounding street buzzes with restaurants, galleries and bars.

The iconic Hotel New York is one of Rotterdam’s most renowned hotels and have also been awarded a Gold Green Key certificate. Located in the former headquarters of the Holland America Line, the hotel offers 74 rooms, all different and subtly linked to the building’s maritime past.

Tower rooms feature iron spiral staircases leading to upper levels with views over the Rijnhaven or the Maas. In front of the hotel you can hop straight onto a water taxi making it easy to explore the city by water.

Each Tuesday, a team from the hotel collects litter around the Wilhelminapier, helping to keep plastic and waste out of the river.

A stay on the ss Rotterdam is a journey back in time. This former flagship of the Holland America Line is permanently moored at Katendrecht and now functions as a four-star hotel with 254 rooms.

Restaurants, bars, guided tours and even an escape room are on board, so there is plenty to explore. Since 2016, the ship has held a Green Key certificate. Energy-saving lighting, a heat pump and reduced water use all contribute to its sustainable operation.

In De Rotterdam, the striking building on the River Maas, you will find nhow Rotterdam. Architecture, design and art come together in a clean, modern setting. Rooms match the building’s style, and skyline views include the Erasmus Bridge.

The hotel holds a Green Key certificate. Bathrooms are made from recycled glass, and the lifts generate energy while moving downwards, turning everyday movement into a sustainable solution

NH Atlanta Rotterdam is a four-star hotel with a refined Art Deco interior. The spacious lobby features a marble staircase with a gold handrail. Rooms range from standard to superior with private terraces, as well as apartments and family rooms.

With both Bioscore and Green Key certifications, NH Atlanta is a centrally located sustainable hotel, just around the corner from the Coolsingel.