You have chosen your apartment. Now make the journey from arrival to dinner a little easier. This short stay Rotterdam checklist focuses on the practical details of your first evening, so you are not sorting out access, luggage and breakfast while standing outside with a suitcase.
Before departure: put the arrival details in one place
Open your booking confirmation and check the property address, apartment details, arrival date and guest count. Alphabet has several Rotterdam locations: the city name alone is not enough for a taxi destination. Use the address in your confirmation, rather than an office address or the first result in a map search. Save the team’s contact details alongside your instructions.
Read the online check-in instructions before travelling and complete the requested steps through the official channel. The €150–€300 security deposit is paid during online check-in through the Alphabet Stay app, separately from your stay costs. If anything is unclear, contact the team before departure. Do not assume an unanswered question will be resolved by a staffed reception at the building.
Match your travel plans to your confirmed access time
Standard check-in is from 4pm. When booking directly, early check-in from 2pm is free, subject to availability and confirmation. Treat that as a possible benefit, not a guaranteed arrival time. If your train or flight arrives earlier, plan the hours before access separately instead of assuming the apartment will already be ready.
Ask in advance if you need somewhere to leave luggage; storage is not automatically included. For a late arrival, check that you understand the access instructions and ask how to get help if something goes wrong. Charge your phone before the final part of the journey and keep the relevant instructions accessible. Never post entry codes in public messages or reviews.
Make the last part of the journey straightforward
Check your route to the actual building shortly before travelling. If using public transport, look up current services and any disruptions with the transport operator. A route that looks short on a map may still involve stairs, a change of transport or a walk with bags. Choose what is comfortable for your group rather than planning around an optimistic arrival estimate.
If driving, distinguish a place to unload from a place to park overnight. Parking arrangements vary by location. Read the apartment’s parking information and confirm any reserved space with the team; a street beside the building is not evidence that parking is free or available. Allow time to park and bring your bags back without leaving valuables in the car.
Unpack the first evening, not the whole suitcase
Keep a small arrival bag with medication, chargers, toiletries, sleepwear and anything children need at bedtime. Once inside, locate the bathroom, Wi-Fi instructions and the information provided for the apartment. Check that the essentials you need are clear before settling down. Report a missing item or access problem promptly, using the contact route in your arrival information.
Make dinner simple. If you want to cook, first check the kitchen equipment in your booked apartment and then buy ingredients for an easy meal. Do not assume cooking oil, spices or a particular appliance will be supplied. If eating out or collecting food, check current opening times directly with the business rather than relying on an old recommendation.
Give tomorrow morning a head start
Before calling it a night, decide what breakfast will look like and check your route to tomorrow’s first appointment. Put work essentials or day bags together now. Travelling with others? Agree who needs the bathroom first and when everyone wants to leave. These small choices make an unfamiliar apartment feel more settled without filling your evening with planning.
Keep the checkout instructions somewhere easy to find, even if departure feels far away. Ask the team about extra services only where you need them, and wait for confirmation of availability and cost. A baby cot, additional cleaning or a later checkout should not be treated as booked just because you mentioned it in a message. Then leave the rest of the evening free to enjoy your stay.
Save this before you travel
- Confirm the exact address and the agreed check-in time.
- Complete online check-in and check deposit instructions in Alphabet Stay.
- Save access instructions and the team’s contact details securely.
- Confirm luggage and parking arrangements if needed.
- Pack first-night essentials within easy reach.
- Plan a simple dinner and tomorrow’s first journey.
Still choosing your Rotterdam apartment?
Compare locations, guest capacity and apartment types, then check your dates in the booking engine. The website filters help you choose a suitable apartment; they are not a guarantee of availability for your stay.