A night on the ss Rotterdam is one of the most memorable stays in the Netherlands. The great liner that once carried passengers between Rotterdam and New York is permanently moored at Katendrechtsehoofd 25, at the tip of the Katendrecht peninsula, and her cabins and staterooms have been turned into 254 hotel rooms, including themed rooms and family rooms. Day visitors come for the tours and the views, but hotel guests get to wander the 1950s lounges, staircases and decks after the crowds have gone. Food and drink are a big part of the stay: the Lido Grill, the Club Room, the Ocean Wine Bar, the Captains Lounge and the Lido Terrace cover everything from breakfast to cocktails, and afternoon tea and high wine are served on board. The famous tours of the bridge and engine room are just down the corridor, with a discount for guests on guided tours.
Location and getting around: Katendrecht is a former harbour district turned food and nightlife hotspot, and the Deliplein, with its restaurants and bars, is a short walk away, as is Fenix. Rijnhaven metro station is about fifteen minutes on foot, from where the city centre and Rotterdam Centraal are a few stops away. Water taxis stop nearby and are the quickest way to Hotel New York, the Erasmus Bridge or the Euromast, and the hotel offers bikes for hire.
Rooms: rooms vary widely, from compact former cabins to larger staterooms and themed rooms, and some have portholes rather than windows. If light and views matter to you, choose a higher category and read the room description carefully.
Who it suits: families, who love the idea of sleeping on a ship, design and history lovers, and couples looking for something different. Business travellers needing a central base may find Katendrecht a little far out.
Good to know: breakfast is a buffet at an extra charge. There is outdoor parking for a nightly fee, which makes the ship a good choice for drivers. Lift access on board is limited and the entrance has steps, so travellers with limited mobility should contact the hotel first. Front desk hours are limited late at night.
Why stay here
- ✓Rooms aboard a 1950s ocean liner
- ✓Themed rooms and family rooms
- ✓Lido Grill and Lido Terrace
- ✓Club Room and Ocean Wine Bar
- ✓Afternoon tea and high wine
- ✓Discount on ship tours
- ✓Bike hire
- ✓Outdoor parking for a fee
Good questions
Can you sleep on the ss Rotterdam?+
Yes, the ship is a hotel with 254 rooms, from former cabins to staterooms and family rooms. Guests can explore the public decks and lounges during their stay.
Is there parking at the ss Rotterdam hotel?+
Yes, there is outdoor parking beside the ship for a nightly fee. It makes the ship a practical choice if you arrive by car.
How do I get from the ss Rotterdam to the city centre?+
Walk about fifteen minutes to Rijnhaven metro station, or take a water taxi from nearby. The ride to the Erasmus Bridge area takes only a few minutes.
