Rotterdam is one of those underrated cities we love to discover on our travels. With some amazing architecture, like the famous 'cube houses', interesting street art, a fabulous food market and lots of great restaurants, its a cool city in the Netherlands that is well worth checking out. So when we heard that Traverse, the conference for travel bloggers was in Rotterdam we were looking forward to visiting.
The Marriott Rotterdam kindly offered Mr W and I a stay if we reported back to our readers, so here is my review.
The foyer was modern, chic and impressive. The staff at reception were friendly and efficient and before long we were checked in. Our room wasn't ready however as we were early, but as we had an executive room we could make use of the new M Club lounge.
The M Club lounge offers complimentary snacks and drinks 24 hours a day. This includes fruit, biscuits and snacks all day, breakfast in the morning and an evening selection of food with wine and beer complimentary.
Before long our room was ready, and a member of the reception staff came to tell us it was.
The room was on the third floor and was very modern and spacious. The left a welcome note with a balloon and sweets in the room which was a nice touch.
Mutated tones of grey and beige added a calm feel to the room, and one wall was covered in a silver effect wallpaper which gave it a luxurious feel. It was gorgeous and the photos really don't do the room justice I'm afraid!
A chair and desk were next to the window and also a chaise longue with a table. The window had a great view of Rotterdam central train station. What a cute cushion.
You could just sit with a glass of wine in your hand and people watch from the window.
The bathroom was well appointed. Complimentary toiletries consisted of shampoo, conditioner, shower gel and body lotion. The marble bathroom had a bath and a shower cubical. Robes and slippers were provided and were made of a soft cotton material, none of this scratchy cotton you get in some hotels.
Complimentary water was provided and also stroopwaffles, a local sweet and incredibly delicious waffle snack full of a thick syrup.
A fridge was full of snacks and drinks to buy, but at hotel minibar prices.
After we sorted out our clothes, we had a wander around the hotel. The hotel has a gym which is open 24/7 and had a good selection of equipment for a hotel gym, with free weights, treadmills, rowing machines and more. It also had changing rooms and showers.
That afternoon I attended a food photography workshop in the hotel as part of the travel blogging conference Traverse. It was really cool as I had a preview of the menu from the hotel's new restaurant opening in the Summer - The Millèn.
The Michelin star chef Wim Severein will be behind this restaurant and if the preview food I ate at the food photography workshop run by 2 Food Trippers is anything to go by, it will be fantastic. Chef Severein is obviously trying to get a Michelin star with this new restaurant so it will be amazing to see the buzz this restaurant will cause when it opens.
Menu
Starter:
Low temperature cooked farm egg yolk (63’C), Dublin Bay prawn, oyster, broad beans, kombu dashi, chives and potato chips
Wine:
Champagne; Roger Manceaux, Cuvee de Reserve, Brut Premier Cru
Main course:
Roasted red mullet, tomato, green olive, samphire, fennel, Cantabrian anchovy, basil
Wine:
2013 Més Que Paraules, Pla de Bages, D.O. Catalunya (Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Picapoll Blanc)
Dessert:
Raspberry, Pavlova, dark chocolate ganache, rose petals
Wine:
Muscat, Chambers Rosewood, Rutherglen, Australia
As you can see the food was exceptional and all presented like a work of art. My favourite was the mouthwatering chocolate and raspberry dessert, which looked so pretty too.
The next morning we went to the main breakfast room for breakfast. Breakfast can be taken in either the club lounge or main breakfast restaurant again with a superb view over Rotterdam.
The 'elevated' breakfast consisted of a hot and cold buffet, containing a range of cold meats and cheeses, smoked salmon, cereals, pastries, yoghurts and fresh fruit, as well as hot options.
I thought the choice of granola was inspired, and something you don't see every day. I loved the chocolate, hazelnut and linseed granola especially.
There was a wide choice of jam, in different flavour combinations and this is something you don't see very often either.
The hot options included bacon, sausages, scrambled eggs and fried potatoes as well as a made to order section. There were omelettes and pancakes made to order as well as Eggs Benedict. I tried both the light as a feather omelette and the scrumptious pancakes with bacon and maple syrup and both were equally delicious.
Staff were polite and helpful and service was very good, although the more experienced staff were obvious as they led and supervised the other restaurant staff seamlessly, watching everything and stepping in to help when needed. One of the head waiters even remembered my order of soya milk from the day before and as if by magic it appeared along with my tea.
What a great view from the breakfast room.
Every day we used the club lounge. Well with complimentary snacks and drinks 24 hours a day and complimentary wine, beer and appetizers served from 5.30pm to 9.30pm it would have been rude not to! The food in the evening included hot dishes such as chicken wings and beef burger sliders and cold dishes such as beef cheek and couscous and carrot cake.
Everything was tasty and scrumptious!
We also tried out the Pillars restaurant on the ground floor during our stay.
The menu I would describe as refined International cuisine and contained dishes such as poached cod, lemon sole and lamb shank. I ordered from the set menu and Mr W tried some dishes from the A La Carte menu
My scallops were seared and not overcooked, just like I like them. The bacon adding a crispy salty flavour - delicious!
The fresh tomato Pomodoro soup was excellent, and not too creamy, instead, creme fraiche rather than cream was used to add a little luxury. It tasted fresh and light.
My black Angus steak was really good and served pink. It was seasoned well and served with hollandaise sauce, boiled potatoes and asparagus. I have come to the conclusion I am not a fan of hollandaise sauce in general but there was absolutely nothing wrong with the dish, I just would have preferred a sauce or rich jus to go with it.
Mr W ordered the duck which was served pink with apple cider sauce and caramelised tangerines on a potato puree. He enjoyed this and as he generally doesn't order duck so that is a big thumbs up from him. It was similar to duck in orange sauce.
I asked if I could order a dessert from the normal menu and they were happy to oblige, so I ordered the Key Lime Pie. Now I have had Key Lime Pie in the home of Key Lime Pie - Key West, so this dessert had a lot to live up to. It was a good dessert, the pastry was crisp, the filling had a great sharpness and the meringue on top was sweet, soft and indulgent. The sorbet served with it was mint, which may not be to everyone's taste, and I would have preferred a dollop of cream with it, but I am just being picky.
The cheese selection was served on a wood platter and accompanied by thick toasted bread instead of crackers. Mr W seemed to enjoy it.
I thought the food at Pillars was well prepared, cooked well and presented beautifully. The atmosphere was relaxed and it wasn't stuffy which is always a good point.
Every night in the executive room we had a turndown service, and came back to something delicious in our room like beer and nuts or gin and tonic! Every day we also had stroopwaffles and complimentary bottled water in our room. It's these touches that may the hotel stand out from other luxury hotels in the area. I hate it when you go to a hotel and have to pay for bottled water.
Check out the video of the hotel that Mr W made for our YouTube channel and travel blog www.flydriveexplore.com
We really enjoyed our time at the Marriott Rotterdam. The hotel is a great luxury choice in the centre of Rotterdam. The rooms are modern and well appointed and the staff well trained and welcoming. I personally feel that it's worth paying extra for an executive room or suite with M Club access as the complimentary snacks and alcoholic drinks every night definitley saved us a fortune. The hotel also has a Trip Advisor Traveller's Choice award for 2018 so lots of customers think it's a great hotel too. Thanks to the Marriott Rotterdam for hosting us!
Would you stay here on a visit to Rotterdam? What do you think of the view, the decor and the food? Let me know!
Weena 686,
Rotterdam 3012
CN Netherlands
Rotterdam 3012
CN Netherlands
+31104302000
I've stayed at this hotel too and absolutely loved it, my favourite place to stay in Rotterdam which I agree is an underrated city and just brilliant. Can't wait to return.
ReplyDeleteWe really liked it, so glad you did too Nichola.
DeleteI stayed at a hotel just across from the Marriott near the station a couple of years ago. I love the modern chic foyer and the food looks amazing!
ReplyDeleteWow this place looks incredible! I have stayed at a few Marriotts over the years but none as stunning as this! The food looks delicious!
ReplyDeleteI do think the Marriott hotels are of a great standard but this one is really amazing.
DeleteI've always loved Marriott Hotels and The Marriott Hotel in Rotterdam does not disappoint. And the food spread looks amazing!
ReplyDeleteThe food was top notch.
DeleteI love that they left you a balloon on the bed, what an unusual touch. The food looks amazing
ReplyDeleteThat looks like a super place to stay; very central too for exploring the city. I've never stayed in a Marriott before; I must amend that!
ReplyDeleteIt's a great base for exploring the city.
DeleteThose bathroom essentials look great, and how sweet of them to leave you a welcome note although I would have been very confused with a balloon floating there x
ReplyDeleteI loved the note and balloon!
DeleteLooks like a lovely place to stay. Loving the look of all the sweet treats x
ReplyDeleteWe are off to Rotterdam in a few weeks. This place looks great to stay and explore.
ReplyDeleteIf you haven't got a room booked, have a look Jenny.
DeleteThis hotel sounds just perfect esepically for a weekend break exploring the city as it's so cetnrally located and the food looks divine as well
ReplyDeleteLaura x
I've stayed in a few Marriott Hotels and they are always really good. This one looks great!
ReplyDeleteWe really enjoyed a stay, I couldn't fault it to be honest.
Deleteyour hotel room looks really nice. I real love the look and feel of it and the bed looks so comfy
ReplyDeleteYou're right the food plated does look like a work of art! What a lovely hotel stay and it looks very plush inside x
ReplyDeleteI was blown away by the food, especially from the new restaurant opening in the Summer.
DeleteWell I would definitely consider a stay in Rotterdam if I get to stay at the Marriot because I love how they have a club lounge, great customer service and oh boy does that raspbery pavlova look good. So glad that you had a lovely time x
ReplyDeleteWow i was outside here last year on a day trip to Rotterdam. We are back again this year as well. Im so glad you enjoyed your stay x
ReplyDeleteYou need to go in :)
Deletewe love staying at Marriotts they are always brilliant value and a lovely stay. Would love a trip to Rotterdam one day so great to know this one was brill too x
ReplyDeleteThis was the best one I've stayed in.
DeleteThe hotel looks amazing and the food all looks delicious. We've never been to Rotterdam but we'd like to.
ReplyDelete