
Rotterdam's Hottest Hotel? You HAVE to See citizenM!
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because we're diving HEADFIRST into the neon-lit, funky-fresh world of citizenM Rotterdam! Forget your stuffy, beige hotel experiences. This place? This place is a vibe. And I’m gonna be honest, it's got some quirks. But mostly, a seriously cool vibe. So, let's get messy with this review, shall we?
First Things First: The Hype (and the Reality)
You've seen the Instagram posts. You've heard the whispers of "Rotterdam's Hottest Hotel." CitizenM? Yeah, it’s earned the title. But is it actually hot? Well, let's dissect that, room by room, pixel by pixel, and maybe, just maybe, spill a little coffee on the analysis…
Accessibility: Does it Play Nice with Everyone?
Okay, this is important. CitizenM generally does a good job, but let’s be real, perfect is a myth.
- Wheelchair Accessible: Yes, absolutely! Crucial. They've got accessible rooms and the all-important elevators (thank heavens!). I saw folks navigating the public spaces comfortably. Check the specific room details when booking, though. Always double-check for the most accurate info.
- Elevator? Yep! You can get everywhere. Praise be.
- Facilities for Disabled Guests: They seem to put some effort in. But listen, it's always best to call the hotel directly if you have specific needs. Don't rely on me.
- General Accessibility: It's not a massive, sprawling complex, which is good. Easier to get around.
The Essentials: Internet, Safety, & Practicalities
Let's get practical.
- Free Wi-Fi in All Rooms! (And Everywhere Else): YES! Bless the citizenM gods! Super strong, super reliable. Stream away folks! I had no problems binging the latest Netflix trash.
- Internet Services: They have some IT stuff like internet [LAN]. But let's be honest, who uses LAN anymore? They've got Wi-Fi, people – that's all you need.
- Safety/Security Feature: This is a big one. 24-hour security is crucial nowadays.
- Anti-viral Cleaning Products/Room Sanitization: They claim they used it. They're all over the hygiene thing. Seemed clean.
- Check-in/out [express/contactless]. Very cool. Fast. Modern.
- Cashless Payment Service. Good for the times!
- Hand sanitizer Everywhere.
- Daily disinfection in common areas.
- Staff trained in safety protocol.
- Fire extinguisher, Smoke alarms You know, the basics.
The Chill Zone: Things to Do, Ways to Relax (Or Not!)
Alright, let's be real. CitizenM isn't a spa resort. But they do have some cool perks.
- Fitness center: Tiny, but functional. Treadmills, some weights. Get your sweat on, if that's your bag.
- Sauna/Spa/Steamroom: Nope. Not here. Okay, maybe a tiny bit of disappointment, but CitizenM is about cool, not luxury, right?
- Pool with view, Swimming pool [outdoor]. No.
- The Lounge/Bar: This is where it's at. Seriously, this is the heart and soul. You can grab a drink, work, chill. Think super-stylish, but with a vibe.
The Nitty Gritty: Cleanliness, the Food Situation and the Extras
- Cleanliness: Honestly? Spot-on. Spotless and well maintained.
- Breakfast: Look, the breakfast buffet is… well, it's a buffet. It's there. It has options. It's not a Michelin-star experience. They have a decent buffet, but the real MVP is the coffee shop!
- A la carte in restaurant, Asian cuisine in restaurant: Didn't see. It all melds into the lounge area, which is fine!
- Poolside bar: Nope! This isn't that kind of hotel.
- Convenience store: They have some snacks and drinks. Perfect for midnight cravings.
- Laundry service/Dry cleaning! Super useful, especially if you're traveling light.
Rooms: The Pod Life
- The Room: Right, so the rooms are… compact. Think sleek, minimalist, very much a "pod" experience. Big comfy bed, a decent shower (with good water pressure - HUGE win!), and mood lighting you can control from a tablet. The windows open, which I love!
- Air conditioning? Yep. Essential.
- Extra long bed : Great.
- Blackout curtains: You'll sleep like a baby.
- In-room safe box, Refrigerator, Coffee/tea maker. All there.
- Hair dryer Okay.
- Shower/toiletries: Excellent.
- Soundproofing, Non-smoking They got it.
- Satellite/cable channels, Wake-up service: You know, the basics.
The Social Scene: Dining, Drinking, and Lounging
This are is everything!
- Bar: The life blood. They have a well stocked bar. The bartenders are cool. Chatty. They know their stuff.
- Coffee/tea in restaurant/Coffee shop: Yes! All over citizenM. Coffee is good.
- Snack bar: Good for late night munchies
- Bottle of water yes!
- Happy hour Noticed.
- Western cuisine in restaurant They do a great burger.
The Fine Print: Services and Conveniences
- Concierge, Luggage storage, Daily housekeeping: Standard but necessary.
- Cash withdrawal: Yes.
- Elevator: It does the thing.
- Meeting/banquet facilities: They have some flexible space.
- Car park [on-site]. You can park a car, no problem.
- Taxi service: Easy to grab
For the Kids (and Those Who Still Act Like Them)
- Family/child friendly, Babysitting service, Kids meal Not really kid's friendly.
The Verdict: Is it Worth the Hype?
Yes. Mostly, yes. If you're after a stylish, well-located hotel with a cool atmosphere and don't mind the "pod" life, citizenM Rotterdam is a winner. It's not perfect, but it's honest. The location is great. Service is friendly. And the price is usually very reasonable.
My Personal Anecdotes (because, let's be real, that's what you really want)
Alright, let's get personal. One time, I was bleary-eyed at 3 AM (time change, jet lag…). I stumbled down to the bar, and the night staff? They were amazing. They made me a coffee that practically brought me back from the dead and even listened to my ramblings. That's the kind of service that sticks with you.
And another time? I ordered room service (which, by the way, is 24/7!), and it was there in like, five minutes. Seriously. That’s a record!
Let’s Talk Imperfections…
- The rooms are small. If you’re claustrophobic, this might not be your space.
- The breakfast isn’t amazing. It gets the job done, but don't expect a culinary explosion.
- They don’t have a gym or spa, so if you're into that, look elsewhere.
Rotterdam's Hottest Hotel? You HAVE to See citizenM! - The Compelling Offer
Tired of boring hotels? Craving a hotel with a VIBE? Then stop looking! You've found it.
CitizenM Rotterdam: More than just a hotel. It's an experience.
Here’s what makes citizenM Rotterdam your perfect getaway:
- Style That Speaks Volumes: Sleek, modern, and Instagram-worthy. You'll want to post every corner of this place.
- Comfort Reigns: Super-comfy beds, blackout curtains, and mood lighting to create your ultimate chill zone.
- Stay Connected: Free, blazing-fast Wi-Fi is available everywhere. Stream your heart out!
- The Vibe: A buzzing bar and lounge area mean you'll always have somewhere to hang out, work, or make friends.
- Location, Location, Location: Right in the heart of Rotterdam, close to all the action.
- Budget-Friendly Coolness: CitizenM offers amazing value without sacrificing style or comfort.
Book your stay at citizenM Rotterdam today!
Special Offer:
- Book directly through our website and get a complimentary upgrade to a high-floor room (subject to availability).
- **Receive a 10% discount on all food and beverage purchases during your

Alright, buckle up, buttercups. This isn't your grandma's itinerary. This is my itinerary, for a chaotic, beautiful, and hopefully-not-too-disastrous trip to Rotterdam, centered around the glorious, modern, and hopefully-cleanliness-obsessed CitizenM. Get ready for a rollercoaster.
CitizenM Rotterdam: Operation Rotterdam Renaissance (Or, at Least, Get Out of the Hotel Before Noon)
Day 1: Arrival & Awkwardness (And Gouda, Gotta Get Gouda)
14:00 (Give or take an hour, because, you know, Real Life): Arrive at Rotterdam The Hague Airport (stupidly charming name, BTW). Pray my luggage actually made it. Air travel is basically a lottery these days. Seriously, TSA, is it really necessary to feel up my bag like that? Rude… and I don't even own any questionable items! Anyway, taxi/Uber/whatever-the-hell-is-available to CitizenM. Pray the driver doesn't smell like stale cigarettes and regret.
15:00 (ish): Check-in at CitizenM. Ah, the sweet, minimalist embrace of a capsule hotel. Love it. Pray the bed isn’t too firm and the air-conditioning isn’t a frozen wasteland. The self-serve lobby is simultaneously cool and terrifying. Will I accidentally order an entire bottle of whiskey? Probably.
15:30 - 16:30: Settle in. Unpack (somewhat). Immediately realize I packed way too many shoes. Sigh. Stare out the giant window with a profound sense of "where the hell am I?" which I always get after a long trip. Briefly consider a life of hermitage. Reject. Too much good food, not enough solitude.
16:30 - 18:00: FOOD IS ESSENTIAL. Wander out. Rotterdam Centraal station is ridiculously cool, architecture-wise. I'm a sucker for a good building. Head towards Markthal - the famed horseshoe-shaped food market. Okay, okay, I know it's touristy, but I have to. My stomach is currently staging a protest.
- Detour: Accidentally stumble upon a ridiculously adorable canal. Take a picture. Instagram fodder. Curse myself for not bringing that wider lens I considered leaving behind.
- Markthal – OPERATION GOUDA: Okay, people. This is the only mission. I need Gouda. I need it in a way that borders on obsession. Sample everything. Buy too much. Possibly embarrass myself by asking a cheese vendor an embarrassingly detailed question about the age of their specific Gouda. (Don't judge me!)
18:00 - 19:00: Get lost in the labyrinthine streets. Actually, make a mental note to learn some basic Dutch phrases before this whole adventure is over. 'Thank you', 'please', 'where's the bathroom?', 'MORE GOUDA, PLEASE'… that seems sufficient, for now.
19:00 onwards: Dinner somewhere not-too-pretentious. Somewhere with good beer, and ideally, a view of the water. Stumbled around and found a great restaurant, enjoying some tasty food, which made me feel a lot better after a long travelling day.
21:00: Back to CitizenM. Shower (hopefully the water pressure is good). Contemplate life and the sheer absurdity of packing. Maybe crack open that Gouda…
Day 2: Art, Architecture, and Accidentally Buying Something I Didn't Need (Again)
- 09:00 (HA!): Attempt to get up. Fail. Curse the bed's extreme comfort and the siren song of the blackout curtains.
- 10:00: Actually force myself out of bed. Coffee. (Again. I am basically a caffeinated sloth.)
- 10:30 - 12:00: Visit the Cube Houses. They are seriously just as weird and cool as they look in pictures. I can't imagine living in one. Good for taking pictures, though. And wondering what it's like to live in such quirky accommodations.
- 12:00 - 13:00: Lunch. Another random adventure. This time, I wanted to have something a little more substantial and delicious.
- 13:30-16:00: Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen. (If it's open. Double-check this, brain.) Art. Art. Art. I have vague art appreciation skills, but I'm hoping to find something that truly sparks my imagination. Pray I don't accidentally buy a ridiculously overpriced postcard. Or worse, a piece of modern art I don't understand. (It's happened before. Don't ask.)
- 16:30: Stroll around the Veerhaven, enjoy the beautiful boats and have a coffee at a cafe. Just soak in the beauty a bit.
- 17:00 -19:00: Explore the areas near the harbor. Get my camera on, and take some photos for instagram. Rotterdam is known for its awesome modern architecture with many interesting structures.
- 19:00-21:00: Dinner somewhere close to the hotel. This time I wanted to try some dutch cuisine and eat in a restaurant with a dutch name.
- 21:00: Back to the hotel. Watch some Netflix. Maybe I'll buy something from the hotel shop.
Day 3: Windmills, Day Trip & Disappointments (Or, Maybe Not?)
09:30: Maybe I can manage to make it to breakfast this time?
10:00-18:00: Day trip to Zaanse Schans by train (or bus, depending on how ambitious I'm feeling. Windmills! Clogs! Cheese! (More Cheese!) But I have a terrible habit of getting lost on public transport. Pray the Dutch train system is idiot-proof. It probably is. I'm the idiot.
- Anecdote Anticipated: I guarantee I'll find myself inexplicably wandering into a cheese shop, buying an enormous chunk of cheese, and then panicking about how to transport it back to the hotel/airport.
18:00: Return to Rotterdam.
19:00 - 21:00: Farewell dinner. Somewhere with good ambiance. Reflect on the trip, consider my travel regrets, and ponder how to spend tomorrow.
21:30: pack and reflect. Start planning my next escape.
Day 4: Departure & Delusions (And Maybe One Last Slice of Gouda)
- 09:00: Wake up with a sense of profound sadness that the trip is almost over.
- 10:00: Last-minute souvenir shopping. Resist the urge to buy a ridiculously cheesy souvenir (unless it's a tiny windmill filled with Gouda. Then, maybe…).
- 11:00: Check out of CitizenM. Say goodbye to the ultra-efficient, slightly-sterile-but-mostly-awesome embrace.
- 12:00: Uber/Taxi to the airport.
- Prayer: Pray the flight isn't delayed. Pray I don't miss my flight. Pray my luggage actually makes it home this time.
- Last Thought: "Did I buy enough Gouda?" (Spoiler alert: No, I didn't.)
And that, my friends, is the plan. It's a mess. It's imperfect. It's probably going to change. But it's mine. And hopefully, it'll be a blast.
Escape to Redwood Country: Arcata's BEST Hotel Awaits!
CitizenM Rotterdam: FAQ - Seriously, Should You Even Bother? (Spoiler: Probably Yes)
Okay, Okay, CitizenM Rotterdam... What's the Deal? Is It REALLY "Hottest Hotel" Material?
Those Rooms... Are They Tiny Shoeboxes, or... ?
The Technology... It's All Robot-Operated, Right? Do I Need a PhD in Gadgetry?
Breakfast – A Crucial Element! Is It Worth It? (And Am I Going to Starve?)
The Location... Is It Actually Convenient? Or Am I Trapped on the Moon?
The Vibe - Is It Hipster Overload, or Just... Cool?
Okay, Okay, But What ACTUALLY Went Wrong?
So, the Verdict? Should I Book It?

