Harbour crane on the IJ declared most special overnight stay of 2021

In a major online poll, a historic harbor crane in Amsterdam was named today as the most unique place to stay of the year. The poll was conducted by Vipio, the largest booking platform in the Netherlands for unique accommodations and holidays. Last month, a total of more than 10,000 people cast their votes on Vipio for the five nominated accommodations. A stay in a life-size six-pack of beer in Castricum took second place. According to Mark Borgman, co-founder of Vipio, it was primarily the combination of the romantic decor and the breathtaking view from the harbor crane that tipped the scales. “We think many people voted for the crane because the overnight stay seems straight out of a fairy tale. It’s therefore well-deserved that this accommodation can call itself the most unique overnight stay in the Netherlands for a whole year.”

The 50-meter-high harbor crane, built in 1957, received a total of 35% of the votes, making it the clear winner of the contest. “The harbor crane is especially popular among our users because of the hot tub located on the top floor of the crane. From this jacuzzi, you have a unique view of the Amsterdam skyline. Without a doubt, this is one of the most romantic spots in the Netherlands at sunset.” According to Borgman, several world-famous DJs, supermodels, and well-known artists have already spent the night in the crane.

Second place in the poll went to the life-size (beer) six-pack, with 30% of the votes. This unique little building was once used as a snack and beverage kiosk at Schiphol Airport. The owner has transformed the building into a unique place to stay. This accommodation is especially popular with newlyweds who want to spend their wedding night here. Third place, with 18% of the votes, went to a tour bus converted into a place to stay. Years ago, the bus was used by the Irish band U2 for their European tour. After a renovation, the bus can now be found at a campground in North Holland and offers a unique place to stay for six people, complete with a kitchen and bathroom. The “six-pack” can be seen below.

The other two nominees were a historical windmill dating back to 1590 and a hidden little church in the center of Amsterdam. Unfortunately, they didn’t receive enough votes to make it into the top 3.

According to Vipio, there is a rapidly growing interest in the Netherlands for special and unique places to stay overnight. According to the website, this is partly due to the onset of the coronavirus pandemic. During this period, people are increasingly opting for a unique holiday in their own country rather than a holiday abroad. Owners of campgrounds, hotels, and vacation parks are responding to this trend in a clever and creative way by offering more and more unique places to stay in addition to their regular stays.

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