Nhow Hotel, Rotterdam, Netherlands

With the beacon-like vertical tower of the Erasmus Bridge arcing powerfully over Rotterdam's waterfront and the myriad lights of Wilhelminapier signaling newfound vitality, the final touch was a place to sit back and take it all in. Enter Nhow Rotterdam, the third outpost from the Nhow (New Generation of Hotels) brand from the Spanish NH Hotels group. Offering the same four-star specifications and insouciant spirit as its siblings, but befitting its location in OMA's imposing De Rotterdam, this hotel also enjoys the forward-thinking and contemplative design of its creator Rem Koolhaas. The 278-room hotel is flooded with light, and peppered with Nhow's trademark humour. Rooms feature Nespresso machines, smart TVs and Montis Lazy Bastard chairs. In addition to the hotel's formal functions (which include nine expandable meeting and event spaces), it also showcases the work of local artists and offers an ideal base to explore the surrounding harbour.