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.
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