Motel Kinderdijk

Motel Kinderdijk is a visionary proposal for an iconic hotel concept situated atop the historic Bridge over the Noord, between Alblasserdam and Hendrik-Ido-Ambacht. The bridge — once a busy traffic artery, now mainly used for local transport and the passage of hazardous goods — serves as the setting for a high-level tourist experience, both literally and figuratively.

The original idea, conceived by artist and architect John Körmeling and further developed by Mothership, envisions a series of futuristic hotel capsules attached to the bridge’s arch. These capsules would be accessed via a lifting gondola and offer unique accommodations with panoramic views over the river, the Drechtsteden area, and the windmills of Kinderdijk. At the highest point of the bridge, a restaurant or viewing platform could be added — a place where history and future meet in an absurd yet aesthetically striking gesture.

The location is strategic: close to international companies such as Oceanco, overlooking the UNESCO World Heritage site, and connected to the waterways of South Holland. The motel could serve as a reception point for tourists, businesses, and conferences. Visitors would be able to continue directly to Kinderdijk via a jetty and water taxi, helping to ease the current tourist pressure on the dike.

Although engineers have assessed the technical feasibility as positive, safety regulations and the bridge’s use as a transport route for hazardous materials impose strict limitations. Therefore, an alternative approach is also being considered: a public viewing platform serving as a landmark, combined with a hotel located on the riverbank.

Above all, Motel Kinderdijk is a powerful statement: an ode to the Dutch landscape, bridge engineering, and imagination — a new gateway to the delta that invites both tourists and residents to see the region with fresh eyes.