Van der Valk Lelystad: Luxury meets efficiency
Opened in the Summer of 2022, the Van der Valk hotel in Lelystad, 50KM from Amsterdam, is designed to meet the needs of both business travellers and leisure guests, including couples and families. With 143 rooms spread over sixteen floors, the hotel combines modern comfort with luxury design and has received a BREEAM certification for its sustainability credentials. The hotel needed an emergency lighting solution that blended seamlessly into the interior environment, while also being easy to install and maintain.
An ABB solution tailored for Van der Valk
Van der Valk’s installation partner, Techval, selected ABB based on its strong existing relationship and ABB’s ability to offer a comprehensive range of compatible products. These included 200 Evago luminaires, Aqualux luminaires, Busch-art linear® wiring accessories, main and sub-distribution boards, ABB's energy management system, ABB i-bus® KNX controls, and HAF junction boxes - robust electrical enclosures designed to safely contain wiring connections in commercial installations.
To ensure the solution met with the hotel’s design aesthetic and technical requirements, a sample installation was reviewed and approved by the project architect prior to full system rollout. ABB also provided expert guidance on complex areas such as the hotel’s indoor swimming pool, advising on product choice and installation approach.
Daniel Goossens, Account Manager at the ABB’s distribution partner Rexel, said: “We chose ABB for their comprehensive range of electrical products and solutions. Having a single supplier simplifies the process, gives us one clear point of contact, and helps us deliver strong, reliable solutions to our customers.”
Daniel Goossens - Account Manager Rexel, Bert Damen - Project Leader Techval, Prevesh Ramkisoen, Account Manager ABB VanLien 
Van der Valk hotel room detail 
Evago emergency luminaire 
Evago emergency luminaire 
Van der Valk hotel room detail
Expert support for complex installations
The swimming pool posed particular challenges, with the team needing to account for high humidity, chlorine exposure, and strict safety requirements. ABB recommended Aqualux luminaires with a protective pool set, including stainless steel covers, to withstand the demanding poolside environment. Installed around the pool’s perimeter and spaced to deliver the required light levels across the water surface, the solution met national safety standards while enabling the installer to complete the pool lighting in just two days.
Efficient, reliable emergency lighting
The project included the installation of 200 Evago emergency luminaires across escape routes on each floor, as well as the hotel’s lobby, restaurant and meeting rooms. To meet the tight construction schedule, the team opted for Wieland plug-and-play connectors, enabling a fast and error-free setup.
As the ABB project team explained: “The client could simply hang the luminaires, plug them in, and they worked - saving a significant amount of time.” The entire emergency lighting installation was completed within eight months as part of the wider construction effort.
Durable, discreet and future proof
The project team at work 
Evago emergency luminaire 
Van der Valk hotel room detail 
The project team at work 
Evago emergency luminaire 
Van der Valk hotel room detail
With a life span of up to 12 years (100,000 operating hours), Evago luminaires are built to last, making them an ideal choice for busy environments such as hotels. Their slim, minimalist design allows them to blend into upscale interiors, while the decentralized system is also easy to expand or to modify. Thanks to its modular design, only faulty components need replacing, avoiding lengthy full fixture swaps.
Expanding smart building technologies across Van der Valk hotels
In addition to emergency lighting, ABB i-bus® KNX lighting and ABB's energy management system are planned for integration at the Lelystad hotel and other Van der Valk locations, including a hotel in Maastricht. These advanced technologies will enable efficient control of lighting and blinds, while providing valuable insights into energy consumption to support smarter, more sustainable building management.
Commenting on the project, Fabio Mercurio, Business Line Leader for Emergency Lighting, ABB Smart Buildings, said: “We recognize the hospitality sector’s evolving priorities - combining safety, elegant design, and efficient installation to enhance the guest experience. The Van der Valk Lelystad project exemplifies this approach, delivering reliable, design-led solutions that add value for hotel operators and guests alike. Looking ahead, intelligent and user-friendly systems will be essential in creating spaces that are safe, welcoming, and sustainable.”
About ABB: ABB is a global technology leader in electrification and automation, enabling a more sustainable and resource-efficient future. By connecting its engineering and digitalization expertise, ABB helps industries run at high performance, while becoming more efficient, productive and sustainable so they outperform. At ABB, we call this ‘Engineered to Outrun’. The company has over 140 years of history and more than 110,000 employees worldwide. ABB’s shares are listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange (ABBN) and Nasdaq Stockholm (ABB). www.abb.com
About ABB Electrification: ABB Electrification is a global technology leader enabling the efficient and reliable distribution of electricity from source to socket. With more than 50,000 employees across 100 countries, we collaborate with our customers and partners to solve the world’s greatest challenges in electrical distribution and energy management. As the energy transition accelerates and electricity demands grow, we are electrifying the world in a safe, smart and sustainable way. At ABB, we are engineered to outrun, and we are passionate about helping our customers and partners do the same. go.abb/electrification
