the suite life
We could spend hours tumbling down the rabbit hole of hotels. What makes a good one? What makes a great one?
We always appreciated really special properties, couldn't get enough of unusual, family-run hotels. The details, the service, the flair. But we never truly understood what went into these places we loved so much until we created our own.
After years of loving De L'Europe from afar (and from within the warm embrace of its 19th-century walls), it was time to take our partnership to the next level. The storied Amsterdam hotel has always been a gold thread in the tapestry of the city's history, and it has evolved from a classic grand dame hotel into a serious lifestyle brand, a testament to Dutch hospitality and innovation. And with 125 years under their belt, they decided to create something truly extraordinary: 't Huys.
But what is 't Huys? "A microcosm under our roof, where Amsterdam born and bred brands take up permanent residence, bringing perennial style, sophistication and a local ambiance," the hotel notes. This unique project has seen some of the coolest, most influential brands in the country come together to build a dynamic, captivating picture of Dutch creativity. All in one place.
Ronald van der Kemp. The Media Nanny. Harper's Bazaar. SALLE PRIVÉE. The list is varied but tightly edited. With just 14 of these special suites (each with its own distinct character, its own suite of out-of-suite experiences), De L'Europe has made struck the perfect balance between accessible and exclusive, covetable yet still within reach.
That same balance is exactly what we tried to achieve with the gloobles suite. Just like all of our books, just like everything on gloobles.com, we aimed to bring together high and low, chic and cosy. And, of course, we strove to create something that inspired adventure and made the world feel just a little closer.
To get a better window into the inspiration and inner workings of the gloobles suite, let's pick the brain of our Founder, the mastermind behind it all.
Let's do the sensible thing; let's start at the beginning. Can you share the story behind gloobles? What inspired you to create the brand?
For as long as I can remember, I have always been obsessed with finding unique places: cultural gems, hidden cafés with the best coffee & most delicious homemade goods, unique vintage shops, family-owned hotels. When I was studying architecture, I was really lucky, as my programmes took me around the world. I got to live in Indonesia, London, Paris and New York. And so people started asking me for tips. I thought 'Why not put everything online in one place where everyone can access it?' And that's when I started gloobles.com with a childhood friend. My neighbour happened to be a developer and helped us create the first code, and I've spent every spare minute since refining the platform, adding tips and growing the brand.
It's almost as if it would've been impossible not to start the brand! Now what led to the collaboration between gloobles and De L'Europe? How did this partnership come about?
gloobles loves family-owned hotels. The history and the love poured into every detail and how the staff always feel like friends. And, of course De L'Europe is family-owned. Plus, MENDO also designed the first edition of AMSTERDAM the gloobles guide, and they used to be part of t’ Huys.
Sounds like a no-brainer. What was the idea behind the suite? What were you hoping to achieve?
We wanted to create a place where people could walk into our book. We wanted guests to be inspired to explore our favourite places in Amsterdam, and we wanted to bring the city into the room. We tried to create a room that felt like traditional canal house with some modern elements.
Are there any features that make the suite extra special?
I really hope we can inspire our guest to see Amsterdam through our eyes and explore places that are a little off the beaten track. Ideally, we'd also love for them to come back time and time again and discover something new, which is why certain elements in our suite will always evolve and flow. I just love the gloobles treasure hunt: we created 5 bingo cards with specific themes that inspire guests to venture out into the city. We also created a super-cool magnetic wall featuring our illustrated map of Amsterdam; you can use the magnets to plan your stay or mark the places you visited while staying in the suite.
I'm also such a fan of the treasure hunt! Plus, the fact that if you get three in a row you get a copy of the guide to keep. Dreamy. How do the design and amenities of the suite reflect the gloobles philosophy?
We tried to incorporate as many unique elements from the places we love in Amsterdam and distinctive pieces of Dutch design as possible. I really hope the experience feels very special and gives guests the sensation that they are Amsterdammers and not just tourists.
What kind of experiences can guests expect when staying in this special suite?
In addition to the treasure hunt, guests can coordinate with our Bespoke Travel Team to curate unusual, extraordinary experiences outside of the hotel. Think: flower arranging courses at FlowerLovesMe, wine tastings at Bar Parry, the sky's the limit!
So, it sounds like incorporating the city, the country, the essence of place was really integral to the suite's creation. Can you tell our readers a bit more about how you incorporated local culture into the guest experience at the suite?
Understanding and honouring local cultures and traditions is at our core here at gloobles, so we worked with tonnes of local partners to create something that really reflected the fabric of the city. In our suite, guests can enjoy rain jackets from KASSL, contemporary art from Homecoming Gallery and Heuv Art, robes from Khasto and perfume from ABEL. There are also incredible homewares from The Frozen Fountain, Tableware Amsterdam, Els Dols, Studio Drift, Aldo Bakker and Titus. And, lest we forget, our stunning custom Veloretti bicycles! Guests can zoom through the city like true Dutchies on our beautiful pebble-grey electric bikes.
Wooooah. I mean I knew about all these things during the realisation of the project, but seeing it all together is pretty wild. What are your long-term goals in terms of partnerships with hotels or other brands in the travel industry?
We actually started a hospitality consultancy arm a few months ago, as we believe we have crucial knowledge of the industry and can bring a fresh eye for hospitality brands. Being a travel platform, a publishing house and, of course, working with clients on a very practical level means we see things that others may not, and we'd love to help the brands we love grow and become even stronger.
Big things to come, it seems. What were some of the challenges faced during the design and creation of this suite?
Ohhh no...where to start haha? Let's just say that it was a long process. But, that being said, I am incredibly happy with the result; we created something exceptional.
And what about any key takeaways? Is there something you learned that you'll bring with you to the next project?
To listen to your gut, follow your dreams and think big.
Love. Are there any plans for similar collaborations in the future? Can you give our readers a sneak peek into upcoming projects?
We are speaking with many other hotels we adore, but unfortunately we can't announce those collabs just yet. Stay tuned!
t's all very exciting, and it's especially cool to be creating tangible things for our community to enjoy. Alright, wrapping things up: what's your favourite corner of the suite?
To be honest, I really love every corner, but I do think that the way the light enters the room is just pretty magical!
And last one! Who is your dream guest for the suite?
Jo Ellison or Tom Robbins from The Financial Times. Their voices are key, and being recognised by such an iconic outlet would be a dream.
Hayley Daen
South Carolina bred, UK educated and Netherlands enthused, Hayley has an insatiable hunger for travel and, of course, all things delicious. A traveller as seasoned as her cast iron skillet, Hayley always knows the best spots for a tasty bite or a cheeky glass. When she's not digging up killer hole-in-the-wall falafel spots in Beirut or trying (sometimes vainly!) to find inspiring exhibitions across the globe, she's busy writing & reading.
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