SWEETS hotel is a one-of-a-kind hotel located across Amsterdam in 28 different bridge houses. Each bridge house has been transformed into an independent hotel suite that accommodates a maximum of 2 guests.
SWEETS hotel is an initiative and co-creation of the Amsterdam based architecture office Space&Matter (known for De Ceuvel in Amsterdam), project development partner Grayfield and Seven New Things (Suzanne Oxenaar, Otto Nan and Gerrit Groen, founders of Lloyd Hotel & Cultural Embassy (world’s first 1- to 5-star hotel in Amsterdam – sold in 2018), Llove Hotel (pop-up hotel in Tokyo) and Hotel The Exchange (fashion hotel in Amsterdam)).
First initiated in 2012 as an urban space project, SWEETS hotel is now 11 years in the making. 22 bridge houses are currently available for reservations, with more coming soon.
The use of these existing, derelict buildings that were never meant to be habitable truly shows the power of design.
Kinkerbrug (bridge) opening in 1937 For 100 years Amsterdam’s bridge houses accommodated the city’s many bridge keepers who were responsible for opening these impressive structures for passing boat traffic. However, with the introduction of a centralised bridge control system the bridge houses became redundant.
Nieuwe Amstelbrug bridge house in 1983
Amstelschutsluis bridge house in 1985
In 2012 the initiators of SWEETS hotel presented a plan to the city of Amsterdam to transform the city’s bridge houses into tiny hotel suites. The vision: to introduce travellers to new neighbourhoods and unexpected experiences in the city.
In the summer of 2013 SWEETS was presented at the Amsterdam Architecture Centre (ARCAM) as part of an acclaimed exhibition alongside a popular architectural guidebook.
City space is a malleable and beautiful process, where culture has a key role to play
Amsterdam’s bridge houses have been transformed into tiny hotel suites by a dedicated team of architects, designers, builders and artisans.