While Amsterdam is the main star of Netherlands tourism, and probably always will be, the port city of Rotterdam is well worth a visit. For one thing, it’s Europe’s largest port city, so there’s a lot of commerce and history.
Rotterdam is undergoing a Renaissance to give Amsterdam a run for its money, and many will say it’s a better place to experience true Netherlands’ culture without the hefty crowds of Amsterdam.
Once you’ve decided to give Rotterdam a visit, we’ve got a guide to the best neighborhoods in Rotterdam and hotels in Rotterdam for every budget and travel style.
We will cover off all types of Rotterdam accommodation options from Hostels to luxury Rotterdam hotels as well as how to decide where to stay in Rotterdam Netherlands 2023.
This guide shows the best Rotterdam hotels, best places in Rotterdam to visit, the best places to stay in Rotterdam, hotels near Rotterdam attractions, Rotterdam neighborhood guide and many more.
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Rotterdam City Center – Where to stay in Rotterdam for tourists
The Rotterdam City Centre, also known as Centrum, has the highest concentration of Rotterdam hotels and tourist attractions.
The Centraal station is right in Rotterdam City Center, making arrivals, departures and day trips from Rotterdam a breeze.
Centrum is the best area for tourists visiting for a short time, especially first-time visitors to Rotterdam. Unlike in many city centers of Europe, budget friendly travelers will have no trouble finding a Rotterdam hostel in the center of town.
This area is filled with nightlife, cafes and shopping, so there’s never a dull moment for adventurous travellers.
Best places to stay in Rotterdam City Center
Cheapest Backpacking Hostels in Rotterdam City Center
King Kong Hostel
Stayokay Rotterdam
Hostel Room Rotterdam
Sparks Hostel
Budget Hotels in Rotterdam City Center
easyHotel Rotterdam City Centre
CityHub Rotterdam
Hotel Erasmus
Grand Hotel Central
Mid range Hotels in Rotterdam City Center
citizenM Rotterdam
Holiday Inn Express Rotterdam
Ibis Rotterdam City Centre
Inntel Hotels Rotterdam Centre
Family Friendly Hotels in Rotterdam City Center
Urban Residences Rotterdam
NH Atlanta Rotterdam
H2OTEL Rotterdam
Hotel Mainport Rotterdam
Affordable Luxury Hotels in Rotterdam City Center
Suite Hotel Pincoffs
Hilton Rotterdam
Hotel New York
Rotterdam Marriott Hotel
Oude Noorden – Where to stay in Rotterdam for first timers
The “Old North” area of the city, just north of Rotterdam City Center, is a popular area to stay due to proximity to Centrum.
Uniquely, this neighborhood escaped much of the damage from WWI and WWII, so it’s a great place to explore pre-war architecture in Rotterdam.
It was once a working-class neighborhood, now becoming an artists’ destination, with boutique designers, jazz clubs and coffee shops moving in.
You’ll find a melting pot of cultures in Oude Noorden, and diverse cuisines to boot. A stay in Oude Noorden is perfect for hip travellers looking for a local experience.
Best places to stay in Oude Noorden
Cheapest Backpacking Hostels in Oude Noorden
Stayokay Rotterdam
King Kong Hostel
Hostel Ani & Haakien
Budget Hotels in Oude Noorden
Thuis bij Schell
Hotel Santa Maria
Days Inn by Wyndham Rotterdam City Centre
Bienvenue
Mid range Hotels in Oude Noorden
Savoy Hotel Rotterdam
Euro Hotel Centrum
Hotel The James
Family Friendly Hotels in Oude Noorden
Hotel Emma
Thon Hotel Rotterdam
Hotel Bazar
Ibis Rotterdam City Centre
Affordable Luxury Hotels in Oude Noorden
Hotel Mainport Rotterdam
Hilton Rotterdam
Rotterdam Marriott Hotel
Suite Hotel Pincoffs
Delfshaven – Where to stay in Rotterdam for history buffs
Just west of the city centre is the marina area of Delfshaven. There is a lot of history in the area, which used to be home to several gin distilleries.
You can still see evidence of this in the many gin bars that dot the area. Historic buildings are now filled with unique shops, and there’s even an 18th century windmill still in operation here.
Delfshaven is perhaps most famous as the launching point of the Pilgrim Fathers, and you can still visit the church where they met in 1620 before setting sail for America.
Delfshaven is about a 30 minute walk to the city center, or 15 minutes by tram.
Best places to stay in Delfshaven
Cheapest Backpacking Hostels in Delfshaven
Hostel Ani & Haakien
King Kong Hostel
Hostel Room Rotterdam
Budget Hotels in Delfshaven
Bed and Breakfast Rotterdam
Hotel Milano
Grand Hotel Central
Bienvenue
Mid range Hotels in Delfshaven
Hotel Port
STROOM Rotterdam
Hotel Orion
Hotel Light
Family Friendly Hotels in Delfshaven
Hotel Breitner
Van der Valk Hotel Rotterdam-Blijdorp
PREMIER SUITES PLUS Rotterdam
Hotel The James
Affordable Luxury Hotels in Delfshaven
Rotterdam Marriott Hotel
Hotel Mainport Rotterdam
Hotel New York
Hilton Rotterdam
de Stadsdriehoek – Where to stay in Rotterdam on a budget
You’ve likely seen photos of de Stadsdriehoek without even realizing it. de Stadsdriehoek means “City Triangle” and is comprises the area just northeast of the city centre.
It was heavily bombed during WWII and as a result, is now home to modern architecture, including the often photographed Cube House Complex.
Although the Cube House is largely private residences, there is a hostel and an architecture museum in two of the units.
Foodies will love the Markthal food hall, with gourmet wine and food vendors. Other attractions in this area include the Maritime Museum, Mariniers Museum and vintage barges at Oude Haven.
Best places to stay in de Stadsdriehoek
Cheapest Backpacking Hostels in de Stadsdriehoek
Sparks Hostel
Hostel Room Rotterdam
Hostel Ani & Haakien
Stayokay Rotterdam
Budget Hotels in de Stadsdriehoek
Hotel Santa Maria
Hotel Milano
Hotel Erasmus
CityHub Rotterdam
Mid range Hotels in de Stadsdriehoek
citizenM Rotterdam
Ibis Rotterdam City Centre
H2OTEL Rotterdam
Savoy Hotel Rotterdam
Family Friendly Hotels in de Stadsdriehoek
NH Atlanta Rotterdam
Hotel The James
Hotel Emma
Hotel Rotterdam
Affordable Luxury Hotels in de Stadsdriehoek
Hilton Rotterdam
Hotel Mainport Rotterdam
Rotterdam Marriott Hotel
Suite Hotel Pincoffs
Blijdorp – Where to stay in Rotterdam with family
For travellers seeking a family friendly neighborhood of Rotterdam that is outside of the city centre chaos, Blijdorp is the perfect place to stay in Rotterdam.
The neighborhood center is Diergaarde Blijdorp, the Rotterdam Zoo, one of the oldest zoos in the Netherlands.
Nearby Vroesenpark is where locals go when the weather is nice; nothing fancy, just a lovely park where you can relax and let the kids run wild.
This area is also home to a UNESCO World Heritage Site; the former Van Nelle tobacco factory is noted for constructivist architecture style. Guided tours are available.
Best places to stay in Blijdorp
Cheapest Backpacking Hostels in Blijdorp
King Kong Hostel
Sparks Hostel
Hostel Ani & Haakien
Budget Hotels in Blijdorp
Bed and Breakfast Rotterdam
Bienvenue
Grand Hotel Central
Hotel Milano
Mid range Hotels in Blijdorp
Van der Valk Hotel Rotterdam-Blijdorp
PREMIER SUITES PLUS Rotterdam
Hotel Light
Hotel Van Walsum
Family Friendly Hotels in Blijdorp
Hotel Rotterdam
Bilderberg Parkhotel
Urban Residences Rotterdam
NH Atlanta Rotterdam
Affordable Luxury Hotels in Blijdorp
Hilton Rotterdam
Rotterdam Marriott Hotel
Kralingen – Where to stay in Rotterdam for outdoor lovers
This former suburb west of Rotterdam City Centre was annexed into Rotterdam in the late 1800’s. The area is home to elegant villas and Erasmus University, so it’s a melting pot of residents and students.
Rotterdam’s largest park, Kralingse Bos, is the central feature of Kralingen, with a huge lake for outdoor recreation.
The Arboretum Trompenburg is also worth a visit, with botanical gardens and a teahouse. This family friendly neighborhood is on the pricier side, but you’ll love the abundance of nature within city limits.
Best places to stay in Kralingen
Cheapest Backpacking Hostels in Kralingen
Stayokay Rotterdam
Mid range Hotels in Kralingen
Novotel Rotterdam Brainpark
The Student Hotel Rotterdam
Savoy Hotel Rotterdam
citizenM Rotterdam
Family Friendly Hotels in Kralingen
H2OTEL Rotterdam
Affordable Luxury Hotels in Kralingen
Suite Hotel Pincoffs
Dijkzigt – Where to stay in Rotterdam for museum visits
Once a former country estate of the Hoboken family who lived in Villa Dijkzigt, this Rotterdam neighborhood sits at the eastern edge of Centrum.
It is home to Museumpark, a large urban park surrounded by museums. This area includes a sculpture garden, art museum, natural history museum, and much more.
Dijkzigt is also home to the Netherlands’ largest hospital, the Erasmus University Medical Center. If you plan to visit many museums during your visit to Rotterdam, then this is a great neighborhood to stay.
Best places to stay in Dijkzigt
Cheapest Backpacking Hostels in Dijkzigt
Sparks Hostel
King Kong Hostel
Hostel Room Rotterdam
Budget Hotels in Dijkzigt
CityHub Rotterdam
Thuis bij Schell
Grand Hotel Central
Hotel Santa Maria
Mid range Hotels in Dijkzigt
Hotel Orion
Hotel Van Walsum
Hotel Breitner
A Small Hotel
Family Friendly Hotels in Dijkzigt
Quartier Du Port
New Ocean Paradise
Euro Hotel Centrum
Affordable Luxury Hotels in Dijkzigt
Hotel Mainport Rotterdam
Rotterdam Marriott Hotel
Hilton Rotterdam
Hotel New York
Kop Van Zuid – Where to stay in Rotterdam for culture
Across the Erasmus Bridge from Rotterdam City Centre is the area known as Kop Van Zuid. This is a cultural hub of Rotterdam, with many attractions in a very small area.
The Nederlands Fotomuseum has over five million photos on display, while the nearby Villa Zebra offers art exhibitions for children ages four to 12.
If you are arriving to Rotterdam by cruise ship, this is where the cruise ship terminal is located. This may sway your decision to stay here, pending your penchant for, or aversion to, cruise ships crowds.
Best places to stay in Kop Van Zuid
Cheapest Backpacking Hostels in Kop Van Zuid
Sparks Hostel
King Kong Hostel
Hostel Room Rotterdam
Budget Hotels in Kop Van Zuid
Hotel Erasmus
Thuis bij Schell
Hotel Milano
Bienvenue
Mid range Hotels in Kop Van Zuid
Room Mate Bruno
Hotel Nhow Rotterdam
Thon Hotel Rotterdam
Quartier Du Port
Family Friendly Hotels in Kop Van Zuid
H2OTEL Rotterdam
Bilderberg Parkhotel
Hotel Emma
Hotel The James
Affordable Luxury Hotels in Kop Van Zuid
Hotel Mainport Rotterdam
Rotterdam Marriott Hotel
Hilton Rotterdam
Hotel New York
Feijenoord – Where to stay in Rotterdam for backpackers
The entire area surrounding Kop Van Zuid is known as Feijenoord, a large neighborhood south of the city center. This includes the hip area known as Katendrecht, which is the “Old Town” area of Rotterdam.
Sports fans may recognize this as the home of Feyenoord Stadium, home of the football club, and also where major rock concerts are held.
Feijenoord is quite large, and feels like a city of it’s own, with a charming city square at Deliplein, and a weekly market. You can also visit the SS Rotterdam, which is now a hotel and promenade open to visitors.
Best places to stay in Feijenoord
Mid range Hotels in Feijenoord
Art Hotel Rotterdam
Hotel Nhow Rotterdam
Room Mate Bruno
Family Friendly Hotels in Feijenoord
Novotel Rotterdam Brainpark
Hotel New York
Affordable Luxury Hotels in Feijenoord
Suite Hotel Pincoffs
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