How Van der Valk Hotel Amsterdam-Amstel turned parking overcapacity into profit with ParkBee
Opportunity
Van der Valk Amsterdam-Amstel had the opportunity to optimise revenue by making better use of underutilised parking spaces, even during periods of high hotel occupancy.
Solution
By partnering with ParkBee, the hotel opened its parking facilities to external drivers via a smart, flexible digital platform, optimising space usage and boosting revenue without extra operational effort.
Results
- New recurring income through parking subscriptions
- Additional revenue from external visitors using “Pay Per Minute” parking
- Increased parking occupancy without impacting hotel guests
- Flexible management of parking availability based on real-time hotel needs
Van der Valk Amsterdam-Amstel, a prominent hotel in the heart of Amsterdam, combines modern luxury with impeccable service. But even in a facility with 206 rooms and top-tier amenities, maintaining smooth operations is never without its challenges.
One particular issue that stood out? Managing parking space effectively during times of fluctuating demand. We spoke with Lucie Simons-Luiten, Managing Director at Van der Valk Amsterdam-Amstel, to learn how, with the help of ParkBee, the hotel was able to turn underutilised parking into a significant source of revenue.
Navigating parking overcapacity
When Van der Valk Amsterdam-Amstel opened its doors in 2021, its prime location and extensive facilities were a major draw. Positioned conveniently within the highway ring and easily accessible from the A2 motorway, the hotel attracted both business travellers and leisure guests alike. But, as is often the case with large hotels, parking space management proved to be trickier than anticipated.
“We have 206 rooms, 12 meeting rooms, and a restaurant but we only have 130 parking spaces. We thought this might be tight, but it was often the case that the hotel was fully booked while the car park remained half-empty.”
This disparity between hotel occupancy and parking demand led to a frustrating reality: the underuse of valuable real estate. At times, international guests—who typically don’t drive—meant plenty of vacant spaces while the hotel was at full capacity. The challenge was clear: how could Van der Valk Amsterdam-Amstel optimise parking space to serve both guests and external visitors?
Finding a smart parking platform
The answer came after Lucie saw a similar hotel successfully tackle their parking challenges by collaborating with ParkBee. The concept of dynamically increasing parking capacity through a digital platform was compelling.
After an initial pilot, the hotel began renting out five fixed parking spots for subscription holders. This was soon expanded to 15 spaces available for “Pay Per Minute” parking, with the option for both reserved and unreserved bookings. The beauty of the system? It integrates right into the hotel’s operations, effortlessly guiding users to available parking spots, optimising space usage, and increasing revenue—all without the hotel having to lift a finger.
“The biggest advantage is the simplicity and ease of the system. ParkBee installs everything, and we don't have to worry about it. We get an easy-to-use management dashboard that gives us a real-time overview of parking revenue, broken down into subscriptions, pay-per-minute reserved, and unreserved parking."
Increased revenue and optimised space usage
The impact of ParkBee’s solution was immediately noticeable. By harnessing smart technology and data, ParkBee ensured that empty parking spaces were filled efficiently, driving recurring income for Van der Valk Amsterdam-Amstel.
“The biggest increase in turnover comes from the five fixed spaces for season ticket holders,” Lucie shares. “Subscriptions provide us with fixed income each month, and the external guests directed to our parking through ParkBee's digital platform add another revenue stream.”
ParkBee’s flexibility was also an essential component of the partnership’s success. With parking demand varying greatly depending on the season and the type of clientele (Dutch guests tend to fill the spaces faster than international ones), the hotel needed a solution that could adjust in real time. ParkBee’s platform allows them to modify their parking capacity based on upcoming needs, ensuring maximum efficiency.
“ParkBee’s service is very flexible. If we anticipate more Dutch guests during peak times, we can reduce the capacity for ParkBee. This flexibility is extremely helpful for us, especially since we monitor occupancy daily,” says Lucie.
A partnership for the future
In an industry where efficiency and customer satisfaction are paramount, the partnership between Van der Valk Amsterdam-Amstel and ParkBee has proved to be a resounding success. The hotel now enjoys better-utilised parking spaces, increased revenue, and an easy-to-use solution that requires minimal ongoing effort.
"I can really recommend real estate owners with capacity in their parking spaces to partner with ParkBee. The service is reliable, flexible, and a great way to maximise space usage while generating extra income."
For Van der Valk Amsterdam-Amstel, ParkBee has transformed parking from a simple service offering into a profitable, well-managed asset.
Looking to turn your unused parking spaces into revenue? Book a call to learn how ParkBee can help you maximise the full potential of your parking facility.
