Eindhoven Hotels

It would be rather too easy to describe Eindhoven as an industrial city. For the Dutch, this urban metropolis, situated in the south of the Netherlands, will always be the City of Light. This is both a literal and figurative reference, the literal being the electronics giant Philips, founded in the city as a light bulb manufacturer, and figuratively it refers to the great technological strides in research and development and in industrial design. Above all, modern Eindhoven is a very cool place to be and Eindhoven hotels reflect the fashionable nature of the modern city and provide hospitality for the great numbers who visit for work and for leisure.

The story of the city is a long one, dating back to the 13th century, but it was not until the industrial age when it found its true calling, first in the trade of tobacco and textiles and latterly in automotive engineering, via DAF trucks, and technology, via Philips. Two brothers, Anton and Gerard Philips started their light bulb business in 1891 and it was to become one of the worlds largest electronic firms. The effect on the city was immediate and considerable, with many spin-off technology and innovation companies, forging an industrial and economic path which continues today. One third of all research funds in Holland are spent in Eindhoven.

As a result, guests within Eindhoven hotels should expect a hi-tech experience and within a modern, stylish hotel environment. This may seem something of a dichotomy in a very old city but while it may have a lot of history behind it the cityscape today is very much one of contemporary design and architecture. Much of this is a result of the city's strategic location during World War II, a period which largely left it in ruins, but the post war modernist styling was very much an intentional practice which is reflected in the city's status as a major European centre for design, culminating in its nomination for World Design Capital 2012.

The city is home to the Design Academy Eindhoven, an institute and university of international standing, labelled the 'School of Cool' by Time magazine. This and other industries at the forefront of technology and design mean the city has a young multicultural population and a great many students. What this means for residents and visitors is a very lively and diverse cultural scene and excellent nightlife opportunities. Market Square is the main hub for bars and nightlife but there are numerous such places for social interaction throughout the city and particularly in Wilhelmina Square, Dommelstrat, and Stratumseind. There are many Eindhoven hotels which will place guests at the heart of the action.

Those looking for higher culture are not to be disappointed either. One of the best gallery spaces is found in the Van Abbemuseum, which has works by Chagall and Picasso, and the Evoluon Science Museum occupies an incredible building, in the shape of a flying saucer, which doubles as an international conference venue. Music fans should head for Muziekcentrum Frits Philips (named after Anton's son), which is widely regarded as one of the finest venues for acoustics in Europe. A further venue, Parktheater Eindhoven, has one of the largest stages in the country, ideal for hosting large scale ballet and opera productions, which draw audiences upwards of 250,000 every year.

The best place to get up to date information on events and ticketing is from visitor information desks and services available within Eindhoven hotels. But what of the hotels themselves? Many will cater for corporate clients which come to the city for work or a conference. Some of the hotels themselves will be associated with conference and meeting spaces and most will have a range of business-oriented features. These will include general hotel equipment and services for conducting business on the move and in-room technologies such as direct dial phones and high speed internet connections.

Eindhoven Airport is the busiest in the country after Schiphol Amsterdam, and Eindhoven hotels nearby will very much cater for the requirements of air passengers, with features such as travel desks, car hire services, and long stay parking. They will also offer executive services like express check-in and privileged access to business and leisure facilities. The leisure requirements of all guests will be met too of course through superb dining and lounge spaces and often other facilities for health and fitness.

There are Eindhoven hotels to suit every taste and budget. Those on a grand scale will certainly have a greater level of comforts and amenities and the luxury hotels will have all the refinements expected of their status, but there are many smaller hotels too, very much in the boutique mould. As a city so prized for its contributions to design and its modernists attitudes, the boutique hotel philosophy works very well indeed and there are some terrific examples in the city which uphold all the boutique elements of individuality and personal service, and do so within extremely stylish environments.

Those on a tight budget will find a comfortable base in the city with everything they need for their stay. One of the benefits of having a large students population is there are many small, often family-run Eindhoven hotels, where a warm welcome, friendly environment and comfortable bed make up for any lack of facilities. With so many leisure options in the city itself, time spent within the hotel may be limited in any case.

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