CASA has embarked on a renewed journey. By revealing the path ‘Away from the Ordinary,’ CASA embraces the Bright Vibes that define the hotel. As a Social Pioneer since 1957 and a provider of student housing, CASA remains committed to redefining the norm. Proud and independent, CASA continues to spark curiosity and inspire discovery.

Hotel Casa Amsterdam proudly celebrates her 65th anniversary as a non-profit hotel providing affordable student housing. Since its establishment in 1957, CASA has been dedicated to offering a home for both students and hotel guests.

• Establishment in 1957: Four ambitious students started with a symbolic amount of 100 guilders and a vision to address the housing shortage. This led to the founding of the Casa Academica Foundation, aiming to provide a summer hotel and student housing for the rest of the year. ​

• First Stone Laying in 1959: On November 12, 1959, the first stone was laid for Casa Academica at James Wattstraat, marking the beginning of a new era in student housing.

• Opening of Casa Academica in 1962: On October 31, 1962, Casa Academica officially opened, attended by the mayor and the minister of Education and Culture. It was hailed as the future of Amsterdam-East. ​

• Leadership of Gradus van Nieuwkuijk: In April 1972, Gradus van Nieuwkuijk became director. His genuine interest in students and warm personality made him a beloved leader.

• Relocation and Modernization in 2010: In 2010, CASA moved to a new building at Eerste Ringdijkstraat. The name was changed to Hotel Casa, maintaining the mission to provide affordable housing. ​

With this rich history, Hotel Casa continues its commitment to her mission of providing affordable housing and fostering a community where everyone feels at home. Supporting the Bright Young Minds of Tomorrow!

Hotel Casa proudly presents her newly renovated rooms, designed to offer comfort and functionality. In collaboration with architecture firm i29 and interior designer Lensvelt, CASA has created spaces that suit hotel guests and students perfectly. The rooms feature innovative solutions such as wall-mounted rails for personal items, felt headboards for pinning notes, and generous under-bed storage. Textile designer Mae Engelgeer was key in selecting materials and patterns, ensuring a warm and cohesive design. With this renovation, CASA continues to innovate, providing a home away from home for every guest.

In a moment of significant transition, Jeroen Diepeveen steps into the role of General Manager at Hotel Casa after five successful years as Assistant Director. Having worked alongside the esteemed Hans Vugts, Diepeveen brings a wealth of experience and a deep understanding of the hotel’s operations, culture, and the unique needs of its residents and guests.

Throughout his tenure as Assistant Director, Diepeveen was pivotal in strengthening the hotel’s reputation as a warm, welcoming space for students and guests. His focus on operational excellence, guest satisfaction, and community-building helped to foster the close-knit atmosphere that Hotel CASA is known for.

As General Manager, Diepeveen is poised to guide Hotel CASA in its next chapter, which will be about growth, innovation, and sustainability. With a strong commitment to furthering CASA’s mission of 'supporting the bright young minds of tomorrow,' he will lead with the same passion, dedication, and personal touch that has defined his leadership thus far. His appointment marks an exciting new era for Hotel Casa, with a renewed focus on enhancing the guest experience while remaining grounded in the values that have made the hotel a beloved institution in Amsterdam.

Hotel Casa has undergone an exciting transformation, including completely refreshing its hospitality concept. Formerly known as East57, the restaurant now continues as EAST a stylish, welcoming space designed for connection. With a brand-new lobby and a vibrant, homey interior, EAST offers all kinds of moods in its design and menu. Every detail was carefully selected to create an atmosphere where guests, students, and locals feel right at home.

This year, CASA marked her 60th anniversary, a milestone in her rich history of hospitality and community. What began in 1957 as an innovative student housing concept has become a dynamic space where travelers, students, and locals unite. CASA hosted a grand anniversary event to celebrate six decades of bright vibes, bringing past and present guests, employees, and partners together. With its roots firmly in Amsterdam-Oost, CASA continues to evolve while staying true to its mission: creating a place where everyone feels at home.

Hotel Casa reaches new heights with the opening of GAPP, a rooftop bar where lush greenery meets breathtaking city views. Designed as an urban escape, GAPP welcomes locals and visitors to unwind above the bustling streets of Amsterdam. Whether enjoying a craft beer, a good conversation, or simply soaking in the skyline, GAPP offers a warm and relaxed atmosphere far above the ordinary.

Hotel Casa launches EAST57, a dynamic hospitality concept blending a coffee bar, deli, restaurant, and wine bar under one roof. Named after the year CASA was founded (1957) and its vibrant location in Amsterdam East, EAST57 offers a warm and inviting space where flavors, stories, and people come together.

The transformation of Amsterdam’s Eenhoorn neighborhood takes off! Hotel Casa partners with VMX Architects, which is playing an active role in the exciting redevelopment of the area. With innovation and community at heart, CASA shapes a modern, vibrant, and dynamic urban space.

The new CASA complex officially opens her doors, marking a milestone in the hotel's history. Mayor Eberhard van der Laan leads the celebration, welcoming a new era of comfort and innovation. With modern rooms featuring flat-screen TVs and spacious desks, CASA continues its mission of providing students with a home away from home.

In 2010, Casa 400 moved to a new location on Eerste Ringdijkstraat in Amsterdam East, expanding its capacity from 400 to 518 rooms. This growth led to a rebranding to 'Hotel Casa,' aligning with the organisation’s broader vision. For eight months each year, the hotel provides affordable housing to students, while 159 rooms remain permanently available for hotel guests, ensuring a balanced commercial mix. Hotel Casa holds Green Key Gold certification, highlighting its commitment to sustainability.

The design of the building incorporates socially responsible elements, such as community integration, green spaces, waste reduction, and energy efficiency. These efforts reflect Hotel Casa’s focus on minimising its environmental impact.

CASA continues its mission of providing students with a home away from home.

In 2005, Hans Vugts was appointed as the director of Hotel Casa. With extensive experience in the hospitality industry, including roles at Barbizon Palace and various Tulip Inn and NH hotels, Vugts brings a fresh vision and ambitious plans for CASA’s future. His leadership lays the foundation for the hotel’s transformation, including developing a new building and a strengthened commitment to social responsibility.

In 1991, Marianne van Meurs-Scheffers was appointed as the first female director of the Casa Academica Foundation. With her appointment, she introduced a fresh vision, emphasizing the need for modernizing Hotel Casa. Her dedication and leadership ultimately led to the realization of a new building around the corner at Eerste Ringdijkstraat, a project completed in 2010.

A group of students launches CASA Croeg, a lively bar that quickly becomes the ultimate hangout spot for residents. What starts as a student-led initiative soon transforms into a cornerstone of CASA’s social life, where friendships are made, stories are shared, and unforgettable nights unfold. Over the years, CASA Croeg evolves while staying true to its roots—a welcoming space where students, locals, and guests come together to relax, celebrate, and connect. Today, the tradition lives on, making CASA Croeg an essential part of the CASA experience.

In the 1980s, Hotel Casa significantly transformed by investing 1 million guilders annually in a large-scale renovation. This investment aimed to modernize the facilities and enhance comfort for students and hotel guests. Although specific details about this renovation are limited, this period highlights CASA's ongoing commitment to quality and innovation. This dedication to improvement has contributed to CASA's reputation as a progressive and welcoming place in Amsterdam.

In April 1972, Gradus van Nieuwkuijk became the director of Hotel CASA. With his genuine interest in students and staff, he quickly became a beloved and unifying figure within the organization. Known for his warm personality and ability to connect with everyone, he fostered a strong sense of community where people always came first.

Beyond CASA, he remained actively involved with Koninklijke Horeca Nederland (KHN), attending events as an honorary member well into his later years. He was always curious and genuinely interested in those around him.

On November 9, 2021, Gradus van Nieuwkuijk passed away at 89. With his passing, we say goodbye to a remarkable and kind-hearted man, whose legacy continues to live on in CASA’s values and sense of community.

In the summer of 1964, Hotel CASA hosted an extraordinary event: the Chinese Opera from Beijing. The hotel's ninth floor was converted into a rehearsal space, providing an ideal setting for the vibrant and elaborate performances. This cultural collaboration marked an important moment in CASA’s history, showcasing its role as a versatile and forward-thinking venue eager to bring global cultures to the heart of Amsterdam.

In March 1964, CASA saw a significant change under her new director, Max Wellink. He introduced fresh ideas that reshaped the hotel’s operation and relationship with the students. One of his most revolutionary moves involved students in decision-making processes, giving them a voice in how the hotel operated. He also pioneered CASA’s first co-ed floor, a forward-thinking step that reflected the changing social dynamics of the time.

In October 1962, CASA Academica officially opened its doors, marking a new chapter for the institution. With the Mayor and the Minister of Education attending the event, CASA’s future in Amsterdam-East was solidified. The opening symbolized CASA’s ambition to provide accommodation and a unique student space. Over time, CASA Academica would become a landmark in the city, offering a creative and supportive environment for the student community.

On November 12, 1959, a significant milestone was reached by laying the first stone of CASA Academica at James Wattstraat. This began a larger vision to create a unique student housing and hotel complex in Amsterdam. With the necessary funding, CASA started her journey to become a key player in providing housing solutions in Amsterdam-Oost, with the first stone symbolizing the start of an important project that would define the area for years to come.

In April 1957, four ambitious students, armed with just 100 guilders, set out to solve the housing crisis by establishing CASA. The concept was simple yet innovative: Hotel Casa would operate as a hotel during the summer months and as student housing during the rest of the year. This unique solution provided students with affordable housing while keeping the hotel running, a model that has continued to thrive for decades!