As discerning travellers know all too well, there’s more than meets the eye when it comes to ‘understated luxury’. It’s carefully crafted, and close attention is paid to the smallest details for that seamless, when-can-we-stay-again experience. For CEO of Pillows Hotels, Loes Dingemans, the secret ingredient to the perfect hotel stay starts with the building itself, by selecting and sensitively restoring properties with stories to tell. Pillows Grand Boutique Hotel Maurits at the Park is case in point – housed within a beautifully restored listed building next to Amsterdam’s stately Tropenmuseum and idyllic Oosterpark.
What does being ‘independently minded’ as a hotel owner mean to you?
We don’t believe in fitting in one standard and the limited parameters of chain hotels. Each Pillows property is unique and embraces local culture and location, which is what being ‘independently minded’ means to us.
We are not required to follow certain standards of the chain, as many parts of our design and philosophy are inspired by the personal travel experiences of our owner. We adopt a different approach to each guest and focus on personalisation throughout the hotel experience.
Guests are seen as individuals, and we carefully consider what they need right now, why they’re travelling, and how to make each experience better than the next — which is especially important when guests return again and again.
One of our mottos is, ‘something about life we miss the most is the time,’ which makes every moment of a stay precious, down to the smallest details which can tip a good experience into a memorable one. We created The Living as an extension of our bedrooms, for guests to socialise, unwind, read a book, play board games, and treat the space as their own with loved ones.
What was the inspiration behind the hotel, and where do you continue to find sources of inspiration?
Pillows Hotels are designed for your ultimate enjoyment. You feel, see and taste the attention to the smallest details. Listed buildings with a story, in perfect locations in the Netherlands and Belgium — such as Pillows Hotel Maurits at the Park, which is set right on Amsterdam’s Oosterpark. The hotels are furnished as elegant residences and are characterised by a combination of contemporary and timeless design with an understated luxury feel.
Guests are seen as individuals, and we carefully consider what they need right now, why they’re travelling, and how to make each experience better than the next.
How do you think your hotels stand apart from other boutique hotels?
Every hotel is unique. However, at Pillows, you experience wonderful beds covered with the finest Egyptian cotton linen, delicious dishes in our dining spaces, and elegant interiors throughout. Our restaurants have honourable mentions in Michelin Bib Gourmand and Gault&Millau, combining a relaxed and warm atmosphere with creative culinary menus.
If you only had 24 hours to get a taste for your hotel experience, what would you recommend a guest must do?
Pillows Hotel Maurits at the Park is the perfect base for spending 24 hours in Amsterdam. The hotel has everything to pamper our guests for the night (and longer). For me, it starts with a lunch in Spring Café Brasserie, ideally on the terrace when the sun is shining. Afterwards, I’ll visit Urban Spa for a quick beauty treatment, to feel refreshed before heading to Fitz’s for a pre-dinner cocktail from bartender Nick Vrielink. End the evening in VanOost restaurant for a full night of fine dining. After a good night’s sleep, tuck into a delicious breakfast of smoked salmon on sourdough, toasted croissants, and homemade waffles overlooking the park.
How would you describe your own perfect luxury experience?
For me, the perfect luxury experience is all about feeling seen and feeling welcome. It frustrates and disappoints me if the opposites happen in a luxury experience. For example, waiting too long, or not being made to feel special. It’s all about attention to details.
Share this article
Latest stories
From Nordic cabins to cave suites: top boutique hotels for January
January has a way of sharpening the senses — a moment to pause, take stock and choose travels that feel intentional. Some escapes offer deep calm in dramatic landscapes, from Norway’s island edges to Sri Lanka’s mist-wrapped highlands. Others inspire with vineyard views in South Africa’s wine region, stone-carved suites
A foodie guide to Ireland: from coastal catches to country kitchens
With Guinness as rich as its landscapes are green — and whiskey never far from reach — Ireland’s charms can be drunk in and eaten up from the moment you arrive. And while its culinary reputation has soared in recent years, nothing quite compares to tasting your way around the
The natural highs of hiking solo in Costa Rica’s cloud forest
Out of nowhere, a stark yet melodic chirp punctuates the dense moss-heavy virgin forest, halting me in my tracks with its hypnotic, unadulterated beauty. I later discover it was likely the song of a black-faced solitaire, a bird that’s rare to see, yet glorious to the ears. And just one
Hotel Norman, Paris: design-led luxury steps from the Champs-Élysées
There’s no shortage of glamorous hideaways in Paris, but few manage to bottle an era quite like Hotel Norman. Steps from the Champs-Élysées, this newcomer channels the seductive polish of midcentury modernism with the confidence of a hotel that knows exactly who it’s for: travellers who appreciate quiet luxury, meticulous
