Roy Kamphuis, 54 years old, is the current General Manager of Radisson Blu Amsterdam City Center and has an impressive career path. A father of four, he has been working in the hospitality industry since the age of 17. Olivier Wauters, Managing Director of Eventonline, had a conversation with him.
“My career began as an apprentice chef, right here in this hotel, when I was 18. I then worked my way up to chef de partie, sous-chef, and eventually executive chef. After that, I transitioned to operations, first as Food & Beverage Manager and later as Operations Manager. After eight years in that role, I became General Manager, and I’ve held this position for about five to six years now.”
Roy’s connection to Radisson Blu has remained strong over the years: “I have always worked for Radisson. We have a beautiful hotel, located in the heart of Amsterdam, yet it’s in a quiet area. There are no trams or buses right outside the door, which many guests find ideal. Our location is truly one of our greatest assets.”
Radisson Blu Amsterdam City Center has 252 rooms and spans two buildings, connected by a unique passageway under the street. “One building used to be an old church, which was later converted into traditional Amsterdam houses, while the other was a well-known paper factory in Amsterdam and throughout the Netherlands,” Roy explains. “That rich history makes it extra special. We have premium rooms and meeting spaces in the old paper factory building, featuring beautiful high ceilings. The reception, restaurant, bar, and the other rooms are located in our main building.”
The rooms in the hotel are far from standard. “Due to the various floors and structures of the building, no two rooms are the same, making it a unique experience for our guests.”
Speaking about the restaurant, Roy mentions that it has taken on a new focus after the COVID-19 pandemic. “Previously, we promoted the restaurant to external guests as well, but nowadays, we mainly focus on business events and private dinners. The history of the building – the restaurant was once a Bible shop, and the bar a rectory – gives it a unique atmosphere.”
Roy notes that the hotel market in Amsterdam has changed significantly over the years. “Amsterdam is increasingly pushing back against mass tourism. We have to be creative to stand out, especially with the planned VAT increase in 2026 and the limitations on tourist numbers. This presents challenges, but we continue to focus on our strengths, such as Radisson’s ‘Yes I Can’ philosophy. We do everything possible to serve our guests, whether it’s a hotel stay or an event.”
Regarding the future, Roy sees a growing demand for hybrid and online meetings, but he is confident that physical meetings will also make a comeback. “We have to adapt to the times, and we are doing just that. At Radisson, we’re working hard on innovative solutions, such as online booking for meeting rooms, and we continue to set high standards to stay ahead in the market.”
“I believe people have become more conscious of their choices. Everything is getting more expensive, which makes them pay even more attention to what’s on offer and the service they receive. Looking at our segment, our service hasn’t changed much. We’ve been working with fixed teams for years, which is a big advantage. Despite some changes, we still have two dedicated planners who focus entirely on arranging and customizing packages for clients. We also handle the service ourselves, which is quite unique. Having worked with the same team for about 20 years, it provides a big benefit for both returning and new clients. We rarely use temporary staff, so clients receive quick and direct responses. That’s our strength. A MICE event involves many aspects, even for the organizer. That’s why I believe it’s crucial to have a dedicated team that can fully relieve the client of these concerns. That’s exactly what our planners do: they are entirely focused on supporting the organizers and handling the planning.”
Roy’s commitment to both the hotel and the city of Amsterdam is unmistakable: “Amsterdam has always been a city full of energy and ambition. Working here continues to be a new challenge every day,” says the General Manager.
Conference Hotel in Amsterdam – Radisson Blu Hotel Amsterdam
