Compared to other countries, the serviced apartment sector in the Netherlands is still in its infancy. Some hotels offer apartments within their premises, but on a limited scale, and are often quite expensive. One of the first companies to start a full service concept in the Dutch market is Htel Serviced Apartments, offering more than 300 apartments in the Amsterdam region.
“Although Amsterdam is the location for many multinational companies, with a large expat community,” says Ingmar Sloothaak, Managing Director of Htel Serviced Apartments, “the availability of serviced apartments was, or is, still not really developed. The housing facilities are there, but mainly without any service, and are located throughout the region.”
In 2000 Htel realised there was no central location or solution for companies to accommodate their business executives on short and long-term stays in Amsterdam. Seeking to meet those needs, the company centralised its accommodation in two single buildings, offering all the extra services available in a hotel but without its limitations, creating a ‘one-stop-shopping’ opportunity.
“Our whole idea is focused on delivering a spacious and high quality apartment with maximum service, delivering a high-end product within a ‘value-for-money’ concept, to make sure that our (temporary) residents have an enjoyable stay in the Netherlands,” Mr Sloothaak says.
As one of the first to recognise that Amsterdam was in need of high quality serviced apartment facilities, Htel Serviced Apartments became the leading company, offering 300 fully equipped and modern furnished apartments from 45 to 150sq m. “It’s our vision that each of our apartments delivers a ‘coming home’ kind of feeling for all our guests,” says Mr Sloothaak. “And I truly believe that you can only do this if offering serviced apartments is your core business. Only then can you deliver maximum client satisfaction by focusing on personal service supported by knowledgeable staff who understand the guests’ needs.”
That’s why Htel’s two buildings have all the facilities under one roof, such as new fitness centres, large launderette areas with washing machines and dryers, swimming pools, sauna, Turkish steam bath, state of the art board rooms and business lounges – all accessible without charge to all the residents and their guests. “Next to this we offer a wide range of services,” he says, “Such as reception, housekeeping, shopping service, dry cleaning, welcome and breakfast package. And each of our locations, being in Amsterdam, has bicycles available for its guests.”
The Htel Serviced Apartments are centrally located in the southern district of Amsterdam and are near major business districts, shopping areas, museums, highways, and train and metro stations, and are only 10 minutes away from Amsterdam Airport. Htel also offers companies an extensive relocation service, and has recently established a special department to assist with finding more permanent housing facilities.
