Who are you, what do you do, and what gives you energy in your work?
My name is Paul Hermanides, Director of Hotel Arena, and I’m an entrepreneur at heart. I particularly enjoy working at the intersection of culture and hospitality. I love welcoming people, contributing to Amsterdam’s cultural life and being part of the city’s network. I also enjoy my board work in the cultural sector, but what matters most to me are the encounters that take place here. When there are executives having a meeting, tourists walking in and a local resident stopping by after walking their dog in the park, that’s when it feels right to me. That’s what Hotel Arena is all about.
What are you most proud of?
The journey we’ve made with Hotel Arena. Next year, Arena will celebrate its 35th anniversary. It started as a simple youth hotel and has grown into a four-star hotel with a strong cultural identity. Of course, I didn’t do that alone, but together with the many people who have worked here over the years. When you think about how many people have met here and how many friendships and relationships have started here, that’s really quite special.
I’m also very proud of what we’ve achieved with our cultural programme. We’ve been something of a breeding ground for the city. Many bands that now perform at Paradiso started out here. We hosted club nights, gave Amsterdam musicians a stage and welcomed major artists to this relatively small venue, including Alicia Keys and Norah Jones. That diversity is fantastic.
In recent years, the cultural side of Hotel Arena may have faded into the background a little. I’d really like to bring it to the forefront again.
What might people from the neighbourhood not know about Hotel Arena?
The story behind our name is a good one. When I started here, I took over the operation from the municipality and made it independent. I chose the name Arena because I wanted to create a place for young people and because we had a live music venue here. To me, Arena represented a place where things happen, where you can develop and where people come together.
A few years later, the new football stadium was also named Arena. That caused quite a bit of confusion. When Michael Jackson performed there, for example, our telephone system crashed because everyone was calling us about the concert.
Eventually, there was a legal dispute over the name, which we won. The stadium had to change its name. Later, we found a good solution: they became Amsterdam Arena and we became Hotel Arena.
What is a hidden gem in De Plantage for you?
I think the renovated ARTIS Aquarium is a fantastic addition to the neighbourhood. It has become absolutely beautiful.
Which special Amsterdammer would you like to meet there?
Job Cohen. When he was mayor, he regularly had advice for me in my role as chairman of Amsterdam’s hospitality sector. At one point, I asked him whether he ever actually went out himself. “I sometimes go out for dinner,” he replied. So I decided it was time to introduce him to Amsterdam nightlife! We went to all kinds of clubs together. He was curious and open to everything, which I really appreciated. As mayor, I think you need to know that side of the city too. He was close to Amsterdam and its people. That’s something I always greatly valued about him.
Our previous interviewee – David Dramm from Splendor – had a question for you: “Could we explore the possibility of organising a cultural festival together at Hotel Arena, with performances in different locations throughout the hotel?”
I think that’s a fantastic challenge. The timing is actually perfect, because I feel that the cultural side of Hotel Arena has faded into the background somewhat in recent years. So I’m very happy to accept that invitation. Let’s meet soon and see if we can develop a great idea together.
Who would you like to pass the baton to?
The Director of ARTIS. I’m impressed by the development ARTIS has undergone. At the same time, society’s views on keeping animals in zoos are changing. I’m curious to hear how ARTIS deals with those critical voices and how the park intends to develop in the years ahead.
And what question would you like to ask?
How do you respond to changing views on keeping animals in zoos, and what does this mean for the future of ARTIS?