New Hilton stars at the Leuvehaven

I was there on opening night to soak up the atmosphere, raise a glass, and see what culinary surprises these hotels have to offer. Below are my discoveries.

Two neighbours, each with their own character and a shared love for good food

You've probably passed it before when crossing the Erasmus Bridge. Along the Leuvehaven waterfront, the two new Hiltons stand side by side. Prominent in the foreground is the taller DoubleTree by Hilton Rotterdam Centre, located in the iconic Maas Building, which has reopened with a modern makeover: sleek, stylish, and with a magnificent view of the Maas River that makes the Erasmus Bridge sparkle in the morning light. Next to it is the Haven Hotel, part of the Curio Collection by Hilton: a hotel that combines luxury and comfort with warm colors, bold accents, and subtle details throughout.

At the Haven Hotel, you'll find the LOEF Living Room & Café, cozy in the lobby: informal and atmospheric, a kind of waterfront living room, but with class. It's the place to relax or for a taste of what the hotel has to offer.

There's also Calan Restaurant & Bar—the Haven Hotel's culinary flagship. The name refers to Pieter Caland, the engineer behind the Nieuwe Waterweg, and that already indicates the ambition: a global cuisine with influences that shaped Rotterdam. Chef Michael Verhagen (yes, the one from Fitzgerald) heads the kitchen, aiming to bring together flavours from different cultures—Surinamese, Indonesian, Moroccan—each with its own unique story. You can expect dishes rich in character, bold in combinations, and with attention to presentation.

If you venture over to DoubleTree, Dō (or Dō deli bar bistro) immediately stands out. It's not your standard hotel restaurant: the idea is for you to pop in throughout the day for a cup of coffee, a light lunch, or later in the day for something savoury or a drink. Dō's style is casual, friendly, and full of flair.

The festive opening

Opening night was filled with a festive atmosphere. The music volume went up and the bartenders worked overtime, pouring refreshing cocktails. The evening was also made possible by the culinary neighbour on the other side of the Hilton. The appetizers came from Kyatcha, and honestly: they stole the show. Small Japanese "otsumami," literally "small snacks that whet the appetite." The tuna tartare on crispy rice was one of those bites you remember: fresh, crisp, and with that perfect "crunch." The shrimp tempura was also a hit. If you book a weekend getaway at the hotel, you'll almost run out of time to try all the culinary hotspots. I, for one, am tempted to pay Kyatcha a visit.

For every moment, every audience

What makes these two hotels special is how they cater to different moods. At Calan, you can enjoy a stylish lunch or dinner with a view. Loef is the place for coffee, a light bite, or a quiet drink. And at Dō, you can feel the city's energy—the place to relax after work or kick off your weekend with friends and a good drink in hand.

Final judgment

The new Hiltons aren't just bringing more beds to the city, but above all, more flavour. From relaxed brunches to evening cocktails, from elegant dinners to cozy drinks, the versatility these hotels offer promises plenty.

Leuvehaven officially has a new beating heart. And I suspect this will be a place you'll return to again and again, even if you don't need a hotel room!