Rotterdam’s mayor, Ahmed Aboutaleb, was there at the opening to officially unveil a Cube House, which was named after him to mark the occasion.

The Stayokay hostel has been built in part of the famous Cube Houses complex in Rotterdam. The houses were designed by the Dutch architect, Piet Blom, and were built between 1982 and 1984. The unique architecture has been an attraction for tourists from the Netherlands and abroad for 25 years now.

In December 2009, the Cube Houses became the most modern of Rotterdam’s listed buildings. The expressive and colourful cube-shaped houses on concrete pillars are located right in the heart of the city, near the Old Harbour. All forty-nine rooms, with a total of 245 beds, are equipped with their own shower and toilet. No two rooms are alike. The light is different everywhere, as are the dimensions and the view from the Cube Houses.

Stayokay Rotterdam has a sleek, modern interior that has been created with the guests’ need for privacy and a certain degree of luxury in mind. Several rooms even have flexible bunk beds, allowing the beds to be easily rebuilt into single or double beds.

In addition to the forty-nine spacious rooms, Stayokay Rotterdam also has a restaurant, bar and two rooms for meetings and workshops.

The Cube Houses are located above the Blaak, with a partial view overlooking the Old Harbour, a historic area of the city where one can often see unusual ships mooring. The restaurants and pavement cafés in this area are known for their lively nightlife, attracting students, locals and tourists alike.