A very personal and stylish project in Rotterdam - Hotel âme
Last week we have received mail form Manfung and Angel, Co-Founders and Creative directors behind new boutique hotel âme in the heart of Rotterdam and we are so excited to share their new project with you.
Hotel âme has opened its doors this September. Housed in a magnificent historical building dated back to the late XIX century, the hotel, café and concept store offer a delicately balanced atmosphere of style and tranquillity for conscious, modern travellers.
Back in 2017, when Angel Cheung-Kwok and Manfung Cheung, co-founders of hotel âme, saw the beautiful white building designed with a neoclassical façade, immense high ceilings and Art Nouveau style ornaments, they knew immediately it was the perfect location for their hotel.
Next to 14 elegant rooms, hotel âme holds a stylish café and concept store with a curated collection of books, objets d'art, mainly Japanese lifestyle products, and hand-crafted by Angel ceramics. The café offers breakfast à la carte, great coffee from a local roaster and delicious pastries, all served on hand-made ceramic tableware. It's a peaceful backdrop for creative recharge and inspiration and we can’t wait to visit this amazing place! - Elvera
"Âme" means "soul" in French, and we fell in love with the soul of this beautiful 150-years-old building," said Angel and Manfung. "We wanted to create a place where old and new gracefully meet; preserve the building's original spirit but bring a modern life into it." Both founders played an essential role in the hotel creation, being involved in every step from the concept to branding, from carefully choosing the smallest interior details to curating the store collection.
After four years of meticulous planning and renovations, the hotel opens its door to travellers and Rotterdammers who seek calm and inspiration. The interior successfully combines Japanese and Scandinavian aesthetics. 14 rooms, each of a different size, create a serene feeling and offer a warm and welcoming stay to the hotel guests. The pale earthy colour palette allows the eye to enjoy an uncomplicated yet thoroughly thought through room design. The Soulful interior is accentuated by natural materials, bespoke furniture and a beautiful flow of daylight.
"Hotel âme is a very personal project," points out Manfung. "During our travels, we always search for places that we can identify ourselves with, whether through a certain aesthetic, dedication to craftsmanship, or an inspiring vibe. We strived to create such a space in our home town, Rotterdam."
"We hoped to design a place where people would like to return to and get inspired," said Manfung. "The hotel reflects our personalities, values and way of life."
