Owner Amstelbotel: Black Businesswoman of the Year

Sandra Chedi, owner of the Amstelbotel — a floating budget hotel moored in Amsterdam’s Nautical Quarter — has been elected as Black Businesswomen Netherlands 2008 by business club, Black Business Women in the Netherlands (ZZVN).

According to the jury Chedi has succeeded in attracting a new stream of visitors to the city of Amsterdam.

“With the Botel I appeal to the nautical feelings tourists have when they think about Amsterdam. It is nice for them to be able to sleep on board of a ship.”

Amsterdam’s Nautical Quarter is home to various historic ships as well as a floating hotel.
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In January, 2008, the ship was moved from its prime location next to Central Station to the Nautical Quarter in Amsterdam-North. Oosterdok, the ship’s former location, is undergoing a metamorphosis in which there is no place for the huge boat.

At the time there was some concern that the hotel would not be able to attract enough customers at its new location. The Nautical Quarter is across the IJ — a 14-minute (free) ferry ride from Amsterdam Central Station.

Chedi says the ship’s new location has enough of a draw for tourists. That whole areas bubbles with creativity. It has its own dynamic. Even the New York Times has written about it.”

The area is home to artists’ workshops, creative companies, and the headquarters for MTV Europe.

The Amstel Botel, formerly used as a cruise ship on the river Rhine, is popular for its comfortable cabins at budget prices.