From office building to hotel

A new and innovative hotel concept has emerged in the charming town of Meppel. Housed in a former office building, this hotel offers a unique combination of office space and overnight accommodation. The vision of Leandra Troost, founder of MyOffice, has brought this idea to life. "Our flexible office concept is based on the idea of being a hotel without beds, but with a desk. Now we combine offices with a real hotel."

That Troost dared to open his first hotel is no wonder. "I did the Hotel School and hospitality has always had an attraction for me. Here, as far as I am concerned, the distinction lies in hospitality and a personal touch." These elements have also been reflected in MyOffice's flexible workspaces since 2017. This successful concept now has 10 branches.

The idea of creating a hotel came from the observation that office spaces are usually empty in the evenings and on weekends. "By combining an office with a hotel, we create a property that is actually always lively and filled. So bringing these functionalities together is very effective. The hotel offers a great opportunity to attract both locals and international guests, while offering a new dynamic to our office tenants."

When the plan took shape, Meppel City Council was immediately very enthusiastic. After all, the city had only had small-scale hotels so far, even though there was a huge need for more accommodation. The next step was to look at the right layout of the two linked buildings, which share a central courtyard. The ground floor houses the entrance for both the offices and the hotel. The bar has a dual function as a reception area and this is also where the restaurant is located. In one building, three floors are divided into offices, while the other houses the 60 hotel rooms.

The hotel offers a range of rooms and suites, including double rooms and rooms for families. Long-stay accommodations have been created above the offices, with amenities such as private kitchens and washing machines. This makes it ideal for guests wishing to stay longer. All rooms are equipped with individual air-conditioning, Auping beds and Samsung The Frame TVs. "We want to go for a wow feeling and have therefore deliberately chosen quality materials to create a feeling of home for all our guests," Troost stresses. The hotel targets a wide audience, from business guests to tourists. "Therefore, we aim for an atmosphere that is warm and homely, yet professional. This reflects the values of MyOffice. It is important that people feel comfortable here, whether they come for work or leisure."

Since April, the hotel has opened in phases. 30 of the 60 rooms are now in use. Feedback has been positive, with much interest from locals and visitors. With the addition of a rooftop bar and a state-of-the-art gym at the end of the year, the hotel continues to expand. According to Troost, the restaurant concept is still under development. "Currently, we serve breakfast and weekday lunch here in buffet style, as we do at MyOffice. If breakfast runs well, we want to expand this, perhaps by offering space to someone who wants to start for themselves. In addition, our rooftop bar is already in high demand from locals for evening activities."

Besides the current location in Meppel, there are plans for a second location on the estate 'Huis te Echten', 20 minutes from this city. This is to be a boutique hotel combining the services of MyOffice and MyHotel, with a focus on luxury and exclusivity. "We are excited about the possibilities offered by the new location," says Troost. "It will be a wonderful addition to what we have created here in Meppel."