Inntel Zaandam: Probably the most bizarre hotel in Europe

In the Dutch city of Zaandam near Amsterdam is probably the craziest hotel in Europe. Because the Inntel Zaandam Hotel looks like a brightly colored shoe box, put together from the facades of almost 70 residential buildings.

With the unusual façade, the architect was also inspired by the work of a world-famous painter.

If you walk through the small town of Zaandam near the Dutch metropolis of Amsterdam, you will probably rub your eyes in more than amazement, especially at the sight. Right in the center here, at Provincialeweg 102, is probably the craziest hotel in Europe. Because the Inntel Zaandam Hotel looks a bit like the work of a crazy model maker.

This is mainly due to a complete renovation that the house, which has existed here since 1986, underwent in 2010. Since then, the Inntel Zaandam Hotel has been the city’s biggest eye-catcher, and probably one of its biggest tourist attractions as well. Because the brightly colored facade of the building is probably unique in the world. According to the official website of the house, it consists of the fronts of almost 70 traditional houses, of the kind that used to be found in large numbers in the Zaanstadt region. Instead of clear lines, oriels, angles and window arches extend everywhere, one would like to say almost haphazardly.

Homage to a famous artist

Almost all of the cottages built into the facade are painted green. In addition, the windows in each of the houses look different, which reinforces the impression of a rather daring handicraft experiment. According to the Guardian, behind the crazy Inntel Zaandam Hotel is Dutch architect Wilfried van Winden, who realized the project in 2010. He also built a homage to a world-famous artist.

Because at the top of the twelve-storey building is the only house that is not painted green. Instead, it shines in a light sky blue. And is thus a reference to the work “The Blue House in Zaandam”, which the French impressionist Claude Monet painted in 1871 while visiting the city. Incidentally, by incorporating the different houses into the facade, the architect wanted to give his guests the feeling of a “home away from home”. That’s what the Inntel Zaandam Hotel tries to offer today with a total of 160 rooms. Because of the unusual construction, almost every room should feel like its own house.

Enthusiastic guests

An effort that quickly became noticeable. The Inntel Zaandam Hotel was already nominated for the “Mies van der Rohe Award” in 2011, an important European architecture prize. And on Tripadvisor, the unusual inn has more than 2000 reviews. One user writes: “The hotel is pretty funky. Some of the most unique architecture I’ve ever seen.” A second added: “It’s really worth visiting the beautiful city and the hotel.” A third added: “An iconic building in this small town.”

By the way, very close to the Inntel Zaandam Hotel, namely in Amsterdam, there is another rather unusual inn. Because at the Faralda Crane Hotel, guests stay in a converted industrial crane. A night in Spitbank Fort, a kind of private island between the English city of Portsmouth and the Isle of Wight, might be even more exclusive. Here you sleep in an old defense structure directly on the sea.