The Independent Hotel Show Amsterdam team sat down with Angel Kwok, co-owner, Hotel Âme. Housed in a monumental building from 1867 the beautiful hotel has been designed with inspiration from Japanese and Scandinavian aesthetics. With natural materials and colors, bespoke furniture and attention to detail, the hotel was a delight to visit and it was great to chat with Angel about the unique design concept and her experience within the industry and beyond. 

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Tell us about yourself and your experience in the hospitality industry. What made you choose to pursue a career in hospitality? 

Me and my husband have always been drawn to entrepreneurship. On our travels, we search for places that we can identify ourselves with, whether through a certain aesthetic, dedication to craftsmanship, or an inspiring vibe. We wanted to create such a space in our hometown, Rotterdam. Only our experiences were not in the field of hospitality. Our business partners and co-founders were at a same stage of their career, wanting to create a business from their own. They both are experienced in the hospitality industry, hotel as well as restaurant part. Coming together the idea of an innovative and personal concept arose and the start of hotel âme.

Tell us about your most memorable hotel stay and what made it so unique? 

A tough one, but I have to say that one of our favorite stay was in Japan. It is never only ‘just’ the hotel that makes it memorable, but also the service, the people and everything that makes it memorable. The way how people in Japan provide hospitality, respect and pay attention to the smallest detail is considered a deep rooted part of the traditional Japanese culture. It’s not just about meeting guests their needs, but they always run that extra mile and making sure to exceed their expectations and leaving guests with a memorable stay. For this reason, we cannot wait to go back to Japan in April.

Can you describe Hotel Âme and the concept to someone new to the brand? 

Hotel âme is designed with passion for the conscious and modern traveller. We are housed in a monumental building from 1867 with a beautiful architectural soul. By keeping most of the old elements, we created a place where past and present gracefully meet, bespoke interior with Japanese and Scandinavian influences, with natural materials and colours and attention to detail. It’s a place to be inspired by our way of life and sense of aesthetics.

What does a great customer experience look like at your hotel, and what makes it unique? 

Because of the historical building and the respect for it, no two rooms are alike and each will leave guests with a different experience. If it’s our smallest Petite room or the breathtaking Monumental suite, all our rooms are designed for comfort with passion and attention to detail. Checkin is a full automised system, with digital keys. No traditional check-in counter, but a warm welcome in our café. Where you can enjoy an à la carte breakfast in the morning with the best coffee, made with beans from a local coffee roaster, served in handmade ceramic tableware. Have a look in our concept store with carefully selected interior and lifestyle items to bring back home or as a thoughtful gift for your loved ones. It's a peaceful backdrop for creative recharge, for the hotel guests and locals, to enjoy its calm beauty and welcoming atmosphere. In addition to the âme atmosphere inside, we would love to share our way of life within the beautiful, vibrant city of Rotterdam, by sharing our guide with restaurants, cafes, shops, museums, etc. which we can identify ourselves with. We hope to have designed a place where people would like to return to and get
inspired.

How are you approaching the issue of sustainability? 

Sustainability is a valuable aspect to our concept. We believe that if you have the ability to contribute, we have the responsibility to do so where we can. The key for us is that we look for opportunities for economic, social and environmental impact in business decisions, to contribute as much as possible to leaving a sustainable footprint.

What's your favourite part of your job? 

Being on the floor, the moment when everything comes together; the hard work of your team, the concept; hotel, café, shop and the guests whom it’s all about. When you can tell from the faces of the guests, that they are being inspired, and enjoying it to the fullest, is a moment of fulfilment.

What do you think defines an independent hotel?

For us Hotel âme is a very personal project. The hotel reflects our personalities, values and way of llife. We would like the guest to experience this personal touch, and therefore give them an unique experience. I think it matters being able to be fully in control, to make substantiated decisions at moments that matter, being able to make them quickly, whether they are big decisions or small.

What is the greatest piece of business advice you've ever received? 

Decide upfront what you wish to achieve on the long run and set realistic goals. It's a marathon, not a sprint. Make sure your numbers are in order and stay on top of it. Manage based on numbers, so you maintain a healthy line between business and personal. As an entrepreneur we can lose sight of this line. This way you can continue to enjoy the hospitality profession without being overwhelmed by entrepreneurship.

What piece of advice would you give someone looking to start a career in the hotel sector?

The hotel industry is an incredibly beautiful profession that will always continue to exist and therefore has many opportunities. We believe that just as society changes, so does the hotel industry. While many aspects will be modernized and automated, the core of the hotel industry will remain the same, that is hospitality. The foundation is the love and passion for hospitality. Figure out what your strength is and what you love to do, where you fit in best. And choose a company that suits you and your values. Keep in mind the aspects of a changing industry. It’s up to us think ahead keep innovating and stay current.

Do you attend the Independent Hotel Show? If so, what do you value about the show? 

Yes, I will be attending the show this year again. The IHS is a valuable addition to the hotel industry. It’s relevant and a very nice place to meet potential new partners as well as existing relationships and like-minded people.