Departing or arriving in Rotterdam by cruise ship? There are a few great hotels near the Rotterdam Cruise Port to choose from.
I lived in the area for several years and departed on many cruises from Rotterdam myself, so I’m often asked about which are the best Rotterdam Cruise Port Hotels. I’ve assembled a list of my 5 favorite hotels that are convenient to the Rotterdam Cruise Port and close to where the cruise ships dock.
Hotels nearest to the Rotterdam Cruise Port
These are our favorite hotels within a minute’s walking distance of the Rotterdam Cruise Terminal check-in area. The location of these hotels is also convenient to Rotterdam city center and public transportation (Metro) making getting around the city and exploring extremely convenient.
- See Also : Rotterdam Cruise Port Guide
Room Mate Bruno
Sitting directly across the street from the Rotterdam Cruise Terminal, this is hands down our favorite hotel for a pre-cruise night in Rotterdam.
The hotel is a funky “design” hotel with great public spaces and bar areas as well as uniquely bright and colorful rooms. If an option for a terrace room is available, it’s well worth it! You can sit on the large terrace connected to your room and see the cruise ships come and go from the terminal.
To top it off, the Room Mate Bruno is connected to a great food hall with dozens of wonderful food stalls and a large bar that serves a selection of local beers.
Why we love the Room Mate Bruno Rotterdam:
- The location next to the cruise port is unbeatable
- Access to the food hall
- Easy walk and/or public transportation to Rotterdam city center
- Truly funky and unique design
- Airconditioned
nhow Hotel Rotterdam
The nhow Hotel (BY NH HOTELS) is a modern-built highrise a few buildings away from the Rotterdam Cruise Port. It’s on the same street as the checking pavilion is for cruises at the terminal. We love it for the convenience to the Rotterdam Cruise Terminal as well as how close it is to all public transportation. The public spaces, bar, and restaurant are really where this hotel shines. When the weather is nice, there is a huge terrace overlooking the water and where the cruise ships dock. The only real downside of this hotel, which is subjective, is how stark the rooms are. They’re almost institutional feeling, but still comfortable. See the 360 tour of the hotel.
Why we love the nhow Hotel Rotterdam:
- Just a few buildings over from the Rotterdam Cruise Terminal
- Wonderful views from the bar
- Modern rooms with air-conditioning
- Many rooms have incredible views over the city and cruise port
SS Rotterdam (Ship Hotel!)
It doesn’t get any more unusual than this! The original Flagship Holland America Rotterdam has been docked and made into a hotel and restaurant.
Discover what an original ocean liner was like by sleeping, dining, and exploring the preserved SS Rotterdam. Every aspect of being a cruise ship has been maintained where three and four-course dinners take place in the historic and magical Club Room. Casual dining and breakfast options are in the “Lido Grill” on the Promenade Deck with views over the skyline.
Getting to the Cruise Terminal seems a bit tricky, especially if you’re walking. You’ll see on a map that there are little pathways over water that zig-zag around little land masses to get to the SS Rotterdam. It looks more complicated than it is, but it’s not ideal if you have a bunch of luggage or have mobility issues.
Curious to visit the engine room or get a tour of the ship? Check out the SS Rotterdam Boat Tours!
Please note that the ship does not have Airconditioning – so this isn’t a great option in the middle of the summer!
Why we love the SS Rotterdam (Ship Hotel):
- An amazing and memorable stay on a historic cruise ship
- Great food options
- Wonderful for history lovers
Hotel New York – Rotterdam
Hotel New York is located in the iconic former headquarters of the Holland-America Line, dating from 1901. In 1993 this historic landmark was given a new lease on life with the opening of Hotel New York.
Despite numerous improvements, the building still reflects its rich history, shaped in part by the hopes and dreams of thousands of migrants who embarked on a new adventure from here: a life in the land of opportunity: America!
Now you can stay in the historic building prior to departing (or after arriving) on your next cruise from Rotterdam!
Note: The hotel requires a 2 night minimum stay
Why we love the HOTEL New York – Rotterdam:
- Simply the HISTORY of the building!
- A block away from the Rotterdam Cruise Terminal
- Full of surprises like a basement bar and themed brunch events
- The decor reflects the era in which the building was used as HAL Headquarters
A Luxury Hotel close to the Rotterdam Cruise Terminal
Rotterdam is not known specifically for having an abundance of “Luxury” hotels, however, many people looking for a hotel with more of an upscale feel choose the Mainport Hotel. We’ve stayed here a few times and find it to be higher-end but not truly luxurious like you’d expect from a Four Seasons.
Mainport Design Hotel Rotterdam
The Mainport Design Hotel is a good choice for travelers who want to be near the Rotterdam Cruise Port while experiencing a relatively luxurious hotel. What sets this hotel apart from others in Rotterdam is the focus on wellness and spa services.
The rooms are modern, well designed and most have wonderful views over the city. There is a nice cafe/restaurant on the water and the Mainport is easily walkable to the city center.
It’s worth noting, however, that the walk to the cruise port is over the Erasmus Bridge. While this isn’t very far, for people carrying a lot of luggage or with mobility issues, this presents a logistical problem. There are of course cabs available as well as the Water Taxi that can take you across the river straight to the cruise terminal, but with other options right across the street from the Rotterdam Cruise Terminal, the Mainport really only makes sense for people who want to experience the wellness aspect of the hotel.
Why we love the Mainport Design Hotel Rotterdam:
- Unique wellness-focused hotel property
- Beautiful views over the city & harbors
- Modern and well-designed rooms & spaces
- Easy walk to everything Rotterdam has to offer
- One of the only indoor pools in the city!
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Hotels perfect for exploring central Rotterdam
If you’re coming to explore Rotterdam for a few days before or after your cruise, there are a couple of very centrally located hotels that we love (and are offer a great value!)
- To Do : 12 things to do in Rotterdam for the Day
- To See: 5 Day trips from Rotterdam
The James Hotel Rotterdam
The James is a great & affordable choice to spend a few nights in Rotterdam before or after your next cruise. This hotel is situated in a great location for proximity to good food, shopping, and public transportation (Coolsingel, the Meent, and the Lijnbaan). A room can often be had for well under $200/night, which is a relative bargain in Rotterdam for this quality of a hotel.
The James is not convenient to the cruise terminal, so a cab will be necessary.
Why we love The James Hotel Rotterdam:
- Simple yet very comfortable rooms
- 24 hour “honor” market where you can grab a snack, beer, wine, coffee, etc.
- The location is perfect for exploring the city and surrounding areas
- Affordable!
- The bathrooms are lovely with great rain showers
- We love the modern yet art-deco-inspired public areas and well-appointed rooms with a view.
Citizen M – Rotterdam
Citizen M has always been a go-to brand for travel as they usually have nice and modern hotels near airports and in city centers throughout Europe.
These hotels have a funky concept of a modern design in a small space that just somehow works. These ironically feel a lot like a cruise ship cabin! So if you’re traveling to Rotterdam for a cruise, this is a great crash course on getting into that small space mindset 🙂
The Citizen M in central Rotterdam is a great location for exploring the city for a few days on either side of a cruise, as it’s near everything Rotterdam is known for including the cube houses, Markthal, and the harbor which is full of dining options and pubs.
You’ll need to get a cab to the cruise terminal or feel comfortable using public transportation (Metro), which will get you within a block of the Rotterdam Cruise Terminal.
Why we love the Citizen M – Rotterdam:
- Modern design
- Great bar & lounge area
- Unique and welcoming common area spaces
- Close to everything in the city center
Corporate Chain Hotels
If you’re looking to book well-known global hotel brands, there are a number of options in the Rotterdam area. Quite a few travelers will look to use their corporate chain points for free nights, just know that the big chain hotels in Rotterdam are a bit sterile and not in the most “fun” locations.
Many of the corporate chain hotels are close to the Cruise Port, however, the Hilton and Marriott are near Rotterdam Central Station, where a quick metro ride will get you close to the cruise terminal in just a few minutes.
