Travel the world

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A former warehouse transformed into a designer hotel with its own mercado is the latest hotspot at Kop van Zuid. Located in a historic building that, from 1818 onwards, was originally used to store tea, seeds and nuts. The mercado, or food court Foodhallen Rotterdam, dishes up taste sensations from all around the world. From Chinese baos and dim sums to Mexican tortillas and Spanish pintxos – there’s certainly plenty to snack on in the monumental Pakhuismeesteren building.

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Just like the nearby Hotel New York and the Cruise Terminal opposite, relics and reminders of its former life have been retained as part of the renovation, including the inscriptions Celebes, Borneo, Java and Sumatra on the building’s exterior walls, the places where the imported goods came from. The building’s brick facades, concrete mouldings, hoisting beams and old loading and unloading doors have also been carefully restored.

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However, it’s the food court with its 15 food stands that is the main draw here, each stall serving its own specialities. There’s squid from the charcoal grill at Bar Pulpo, for example, and burgers and croquettes (served in egg cartons!) at Bavette, lobster hotdogs at Foodshed, and locally brewed beers. Hotel Room Mate Bruno’s lobby is also on the ground floor, and the hotel’s 217 rooms lie above, some opening out onto a roof terrace where guests can enjoy awesome city views.

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