The Dutch city of Eindhoven is famed as the birthplace of Philips technology and as a result, has been nicknamed the ‘city of light’. The annual festival Glow Eindhoven, celebrates this, bringing together the foremost artists in light installations. Eindhoven blends a modern design outlook with traditional culture. Top attractions to see here include the Evoluon (an educational museum with exhibitions focussing on science and technology), The Van Abbemuseum, the Blob (an example of quirky architecture), the Philips Museum and the sleek Philips Stadium. Its unique character means it’s also home to some unusual hotels, displaying strong design credentials.
Kazerne
This member of Design Hotels has just eight bedrooms, in the form of suites and lofts. It’s especially unique as it’s housed within a design gallery. So naturally, the decor in the guest areas is shaped by work from top artists. Loft and duplexes have freestanding tubs and each space features minimal industrial style decor. Kazerne has its own lively, urban bar and restaurant, as well as a fine-dining venue, Benz, taking its cue from French gastro cuisine. And anyone staying here is automatically granted access to the venue’s exclusive members club, including a living room with an honesty bar open 24/7.
Hotel Pullman Eindhoven Cocagne
Across from the De Heuvel shopping centre, this four-star spa hotel ably meets the needs of both business and leisure travellers. A highlight is an indoor pool, a calm oasis with mid-century style cream easy chairs beside the clear blue waters’ edge. The wellness centre also contains several spacious saunas and treatment rooms. Guests can dine at Restaurant Vestdijk47, with its open kitchen, chef’s table and large wine bar with Tresor Digestif. There are 320 guest rooms spread across its nine floors, with high-end toiletries, blackout drapes, cots and an optional babysitting service.
Hotel NH Collection Eindhoven Centre
The international NH brand provides high levels of service and amenities, no more so than this — a five-star addition to the chain’s properties. Its 132 bedrooms have floor to ceiling windows, allowing masses of light to stream into the modern spaces, premium mattresses, rain-effect showers, Nespresso machines and professional standard hairdryers. It may be a contemporary hotel now, but the Eindhoven Centre used to be the offices of the Land Registry and tax department, redeveloped in 2017 to incorporate green glass, and a large LED screen on the side. The top floor of NH features the VANE restaurant and Skybar.
