Kimpton De Witt Amsterdam
The quiet role of linen in the guest experience at Kimpton De Witt Amsterdam
In conversation with Domien Laureyns, Director of Rooms at Kimpton De Witt.
Located in the heart of Amsterdam, near Central Station, Kimpton De Witt is a lifestyle hotel that combines style with a strong commitment to people and the environment. This was the first Kimpton hotel outside the United States, opening its doors in 2017. Director of Rooms Domien Laureyns explains how linen and conscious choices each play a central role in the daily hotel experience.
A well-made bed starts with the right linen
According to Domien, a hotel room is first and foremost a place to relax. “The bed is the foundation of a hotel room,” he says, “and linen is an essential part of that.” The fit of the bedding, the way the pillows and duvet covers align: if these elements are not right, it is almost impossible to make a bed look neat and inviting.
That is exactly why, during a recent bedding upgrade, the hotel also took a close look at its linen. The hotel switched to Blycolin for all bed and bath linen. The results were clear: “Guest satisfaction in this area increased noticeably,” says Laureyns.
Hospitality with social impact
Hospitality does not end with a well-made bed. Kimpton De Witt demonstrates how a hotel can think beyond the guest room, from a daily social hour that encourages meaningful conversations with guests to a partnership with Room for Change, which provides temporary shelter and peace of mind to economically homeless individuals. The common thread? Every choice, big or small, contributes to the impact a hotel has on its guests and on the world beyond its walls.
Turning words into action
Blycolin is affiliated with the Made Blue Foundation and Hotels for Trees, initiatives that Kimpton De Witt also embraces through its FuturePlus Program. For every occupied room, the hotel donates 100 liters of clean drinking water, and guests can choose to skip daily housekeeping to contribute to reforestation efforts.
This conscious approach is also reflected in everyday decisions. Guests increasingly indicate that daily linen changes are unnecessary, and Kimpton De Witt has responded accordingly. Whereas linen was once changed every day, it is now changed every other day, resulting in a noticeable reduction in water and energy consumption.
“Today’s guests expect a hotel to operate responsibly,” says Laureyns, “but that should never come at the expense of comfort and the overall guest experience.”
“Today’s guests expect a hotel to operate responsibly, but that should never come at the expense of comfort and the overall guest experience.”
– Domien Laureyns
What sets a good linen supplier apart
According to Laureyns, a strong partnership goes beyond simply supplying products. “I expect consistency, quality, and reliability. But I also value a partner who thinks along with us, is transparent, and responds quickly, even during busy periods or unexpected situations.”
Laureyns recognizes that approach in the partnership with Blycolin: thinking proactively, responding quickly, and solving problems when needed.