)
Hotelier Edit: Rick Venmans, General Manager, Apollofirst
What first inspired your journey into hospitality and what is one experience or lesson that has most shaped the way you lead a hotel today?
I don’t really know any different—until I was five years old, I lived in Spain. When we moved back to Amsterdam, my mother took over Apollofirst. I’ve been here since I was six and essentially grew up here. From a young age, I already wanted to help out and work in the hotel.
Apollofirst Boutique Hotel Amsterdam has a long and layered history, from its early beginnings to what it is today. How do you personally relate to that legacy when leading the hotel now?
Apollofirst is one of the last four-star family hotels in Amsterdam. Over the past 45 years, we as a family have built a beautiful and unique hotel with many loyal returning guests. Although we mainly focus on tourists and business travelers who visit our hotel on a daily basis, we have also always maintained a strong connection with the local community. Currently, this is reflected in our theatre, where we host various performances that are largely attended by people from the neighborhood.
Many guests may not immediately realise the depth of history behind properties like this. How do you translate that past into something meaningful or tangible in the guest experience today?
The hotel has a rich history, which we share with our guests both on our website and within the hotel. It originally started as a guesthouse and later developed into a hotel. During the war, the Germans confiscated the hotel, as they did with many houses in the area. After the liberation of the Netherlands, Canadian troops stayed here to help with the country’s reconstruction. 
When guests arrive, what do you want them to feel first? And what do you hope stays with them after they leave?
The most important thing is that guests feel welcome. And that, in whatever way possible, we can add something extra to their stay here at the hotel or in Amsterdam. When guests depart, we hope they will remember the warm and hospitable atmosphere, so that on their next visit to Amsterdam, they will choose to stay with us again.
Don't miss any exclusive Independent Hotel Show Amsterdam, interviews, insights and event news by signing up for our newsletter here.
)
){kind=logo}
)
)
)
)
){kind=logo}
)
){kind=logo}
)
)
)
){kind=logo}
){kind=logo}
){kind=logo}
){kind=logo}
)
){kind=logo}
)
)
){kind=logo}
)
){kind=logo}
)
)
)
)
){kind=logo}
)
