Pauline Egge (Petite Passport) shares her favourite hotspots in Rotterdam, and one in Dordrecht

From her home in Rotterdam, Pauline Egge has been travelling the world for almost 15 years, carefully and single-handedly selecting the most unique places to stay. On her online travel magazine Petite Passport, she collects all her discoveries. During her visits, she immerses herself in the inspiring interiors and unique surroundings of beautiful hotels and guesthouses, taking photos and listening to the stories of the architects, owners and staff. For the new coffee-table book Design Stays: Handpicked by Petite Passport, she has selected 45 favourite European spots for anyone who loves design and travel as much as she does. The only Rotterdam establishment included in the book is Hotel âme. What are her other tips?

Hotel âme

''If you don't know that a serene hotel resides here behind the former façade of restaurant De Engel on Eendrachtsweg, you will walk right past it. Once inside, you can have a coffee in the café with a freshly baked canele to go with it, then find beautiful books, ceramics and candle holders in their shop. The rooms vary in size, but all exude a nice calmness. While here you really are in the heart of the city with the Boijmans Van Beuningen Depot and Witte de Withstraat within walking distance.''

Rotonde

''By far my favourite restaurant in Rotterdam is Rotonde, a restaurant with a starring role for vegetables and (natural) wines. In a casual setting, you can sit at both the bar and tables to be surprised by an entirely plant-based menu that has already been awarded a green Michelin star. Service is formidable. Definitely go there if you have something to celebrate.''

Marjolein Delhaas

''Despite sharing many of my tips online, I also have a huge love for print. So testifies Design Stays. And that includes notebooks, to-do list blocks and diaries. Nothing like a fresh blank sheet to jot down your thoughts and let graphic designer Marjolein Delhaas open her own shop. There you can buy her entire collection plus a few other gadgets such as magazines and hand soap.''

Man met Bril

''While we all wait for Man met Bril' hotel, a future Design Stay, the coffee bar under Hofbogen is still there. You can drink the best specialty coffee here, and  have a nice chat with friends. For my boyfriend I often take the beans with me so that we can drink Man met Bril coffee at home too. ''

Nice

''Around the corner from The Industry Building where I work and wrote this book is Nice. With my fellow HIG-ers, I love going there for lunch, partly because they are really nice with the portions. The Chicken Sandwich is a favourite, and recently the heavenly cookies. I can't wait for the summer when you can sit outside there again.''

Villa Augustus

''Villa Augustus is also in the book and is also recommended to Rotterdammers as a getaway from the city. Take the Waterbus and get off in Dordrecht. You imagine yourself in another world, where you can visit the restaurant all day and will really spoil your mother (tip for Mother's Day in advance) with their afternoon tea. You can also sleep there. In the water tower, garden rooms or in the floating hotel room which is still on my list!''

Cover photo by Alexander Santos Lima