Marcel's Creative Exchange in detail

I traveled to Amsterdam to do a graphic design internship for my college here in Arizona. I stayed with Marcel in his home for 3 weeks and lived like a local the whole time. The location was amazing and when I told my Dutch co-workers where I was staying they were all impressed with the location. Marcel himself if a very inspirational person and is very well known throughout the world for many of the pieces that he has done for Dutch TV and the 1984 LA Olympics. His hospitality was amazing, and he even offered to cook for me a few times. The experience was just absolutely inspirational, the house is very modern and very quickly became my home away from home. Marcel will help you with any questions that you have about things in area that are popular with the locals. If you want the REAL Amsterdam experience you should stay here with Marcel. I know that for a fact that when I return to Amsterdam will never stay anywhere else other than at Marcel's. My 3 weeks flew by like nothing and for the nights where I wanted to relax the room was comfortable as can be. I will never forget my experience here, and I will never forget Marcel. Thank You Marcel!

Hope to hear from you soon Marcel!!

Cody Evol

July 2009

I am Robert, a product and fashion designer from Glasgow, Scotland.

I was looking for an apartment around Jordaan and the canal ring at the centre of Amsterdam. I was hoping for an independent, modern-designed apartment but with traditional Amsterdam features. I found a charming place within reach of my budget. I stayed with graphic designer Marcel van Woerkom at his creative exchange. I had a unique experience perusing the display of his work and his very impressive collection of modernist furniture and and objects he has carefully selected from his travels. His home is a true 'boutique', with lots of character. His local knowledge is especially helpful to travellers interested in cultural discoveries, specifically architecture and good clubs (like Paradiso.nl and Melkweg.nl). I was very happy too that he generously offered me his lovely old bike, made it easier to zip around the beautiful canals!

I would heartily recommend anyone looking for a very reasonably-priced, superb quality, to stay at Marcel's Creative Exchange. A private apartment with a genuinely unique atmosphere.

Thanks Marcel!

Robert

Mars 2009

Je recommande chez Marcel à Amsterdam. Vous ne serez pas mieux reçu ailleurs et vous découvrirez le talent de Marcel qui entretient le meilleur de ce que lègue le passé dans une maison confortable : des souvenirs, des objets, un mobilier d'un goût très sûr, en noir et blanc, bien sûr, de rigueur à Amsterdam.

J'espère revenir à Amsterdam un de ces jours.
Martine

martchevant@free.fr

Octobre 2008

Marcel van Woerkom consacre son temps à parfaire l’aménagement d’une superbe maison ancienne située au cœur d’Amsterdam. Sa maîtrise du travail de l’espace, son goût pour le design (il collectionne les meubles et les objets modernes) lui ont permis d’agencer avec un soin particulier des lieux personnels, chaleureux et confortables. Tout ici est pensé pour satisfaire les hôtes de passage qu’il accueille tout au long de l’année dans divers chambres/appartements. Ici les clients sont des relations et deviennent parfois des amis. C’est une véritable expérience que de s’imprégner de l’atmosphère spécifique qui règne dans cette demeure. Unique en son genre, elle est un petit territoire de domesticité, sophistiqué et minimaliste à la fois. A travers elle, une personnalité hors du commun trouve l’occasion de s’exprimer, de construire avec tact une œuvre intime, dont il rend ses visiteurs témoins, aiguisant ainsi leur curiosité et leur appétit pour le bel ouvrage.

Albert-Gilles Cohen architecte dplg

October 2006

We live in a world where accurate information is precious.
I found about Marcel whilst searching the Internet. Trying to find a fine place to stay in Amsterdam. It was 2001, and I was working in London for a major news agency and wanted to spend a weekend in Amsterdam, so I placed a vacancy inquiry which was promptly confirmed for three nights in the Balcony room.
I arrived to Marcel's creative exchange. Marcel's home, which occupies the upper two levels of a typical Amsterdam house in the heart of the city, a contemporary space conceived and re-built by Marcel himself at the style of Le Corbusier and Mies van der Rohe. After settling in my room, I had the feeling of arriving to a friend's house. Soon after wards, I was introduced to the other two guests in the house; a writer and an actor. Both, like myself, looking to explore the city and learn more about the people and the culture. There's no breakfast in the morning, but there's good coffee and Marcel's good advice. He provided me with sufficient information on where to go, what to do, and how to get there. This valuable information made my stay more enjoyable and my planning easier. I have stayed at Marcel's several times since 2001, and I still find that personal, unique inviting environment that somehow makes me feel as if I were a resident of Amsterdam. I believe that Marcel and his creative exchange have established a unique concept rarely available for world dwellers. I amply recommend you to consider you stay at Marcel's while in Amsterdam

David Enciso
Mexico City/Chicago
vondef@yahoo.com

September 2006

Dear Marcel,

we just wanted to thank you again for having us in your home. We had such a good time in Amsterdam! I am armed with your brochures and will pass them onto friends at the next luncheon.

We left very late from Amsterdam yesterday evening and I felt as though we should be going by your house to say bye once again just because you are such a warm person!

until we meet again,
Lucy and John Rios
Texas USA

Hello Marcel,
I only wanted to tell you how useful and productive was our meeting for my job! It really gave me very interesting new ways to think my projects. I have reported our "creative exchanges" to my colleague. Now, she is also very curious to discover "in situ" the particular perception you have of modern architecture, especially in Amstderdam. Our discussion gave me the opportunity to read modern architecture in ancient center in a more efficient way. So, one more time thank you very much. Hope to see you soon.

Eric Dedeyan
Architecte DPLG
Marseille

cathya.c@wanadoo.fr

Dear Marcel,
I am writing you to thank you for having Jon and I at your creative exchange for a house concert on July 1st and 2nd, 2005. Your hospitality was outstanding and your creative exchange is a true blessings to the artists community as having visited with you, we have been able to connect with other musicians and artists all over europe now. We are currently setting up our next european house concert tour. We will be visiting and collaborating with the other guests and artists we met at Marcels Creative Exchange.

We look forward to visting with you again next year and will highly recommend Marcels Creative Exchange to any artist or musician who wishes to truly connect with the artist culture in Amsterdam.

Many blessings,
Jon and Rosh

J&R Acoustic Folk Music
2127 16th steet
Boulder, Colorado USA
www.brocheleau@naropa.net
www.jracoustics.com

Marcel's House is not a Guest House or Hotel, it is an Institution. When you stay here you enter
into Marcel's artwork, while it provides a sanctuary in the center of Amsterdam, akin to a buhdist
temple in central Bangkok.
Scott Howard, Advertising Executive and Scottish Snowboard Champion 2001

Marcel,
Just wanted to let you know how much we enjoyed our stay in Amsterdam. Your place is so nice
and in a superb location. Thanks for all the tips you gave us. We hope to return again one day.
Caroline Cullinan, Greenville, SC USA

Dear Marcel,
Just a note to say thank you for our enjoyable stay with you in Amsterdam. You have a lovely
home and we would definately like to visit again. All the places you recommended were great
and all the information you gave us was very helpful during our stay. I can think of no other place I
would like to stay, other than yours!
Many thanks,
Sharon Swinford, Gloucestershire, United Kingdom

Dear Marcel,
Thank you for your hospitality during my stay in November. I had an excellent time in
Amsterdam, and staying in your wonderful home was a defining highlight of the trip. Marcel, I
look forward to the next time I visit Amsterdam, for once again I will surely plan to stay at the
Creative Exchange as there is no better place to hang one's hat in all of Holland!
Darus Blaine Zahm, DJ and Advertising Executive, New York City, USA

I saw the HGTV special on which you were featured. It was so neat to see you again. We miss
you. You were an unforgettable part of our trip. Take care of yourself. We may be sending a
couple of our more fascinating friends your way.
Love,
Joie Chandler, Austin Texas, USA

(click on my autograph to go to my homepage)