Monday newsletters always feature top 10 travel lists to inspire.
Today: Top 10 best luxury hotels in Amsterdam
Each one of the thousands of buildings that line Amsterdam’s main canals can be classified as a monument and is beautifully kept as apartments, offices, cafés, restaurants, or even brothels. All together they form an aesthetic uniformity that make Amsterdam one of the most beautiful cities in the world, a stunning place of bridges and bikes crossing canals, picturesque cobbled streets, and strikingly elegant architecture. World-class attractions include the Rijskmuseum, the Van Gogh museum, and of course, the Anne Frank House. And while Amsterdam is a beautiful place on its own, a trip to the Dutch Capital deserves accommodations that are equally interesting, so here’s my top 10 list of the best luxury hotels in Amsterdam.
There is more information below the slideshow. Think I missed one? Share your favorite Amsterdam hotel in the comments section.
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10. PESTANA AMSTERDAM RIVERSIDE
A classical landmark turned haven of minimalist chic, the Pestana Amsterdam Riverside is housed in a pair of 19th century Neo-Renaissance-style buildings and two modern annexes on the banks of the Amstel River. The contemporary 5-star hotel is rising above the hippest part of town, called “De Pijp”, in a quiet location just outside the hustle and bustle of the Amsterdam inner canal belt. The elegant hotel features 154 lovely guestrooms, a stunning lobby with beautiful ceilings & arches, a spa with indoor swimming pool & sauna, 10 meeting rooms (including the stunning Town Hall Ballroom facing the Amstel River), a state-of-the-art gym, and an excellent restaurant (which features a patio garden).
- Hotel website: Pestana Amsterdam Riverside
- Tip: get complimentary VIP perks when booking via Classic Travel (e.g. room upgrade, early check-in, late check-out, daily breakfast, a personalized welcome note and amenity, and $75 USD hotel credit).
9. HOTEL PULITZER
Located between two of Amsterdam’s most iconic canals, Hotel Pulitzer is a labyrinthine property winding through 25 restored 17th and 18th century merchant houses, all reflecting Amsterdam’s rich heritage. It’s easy to spend your Dutch days wandering the many passages, relaxing in the pleasant garden courtyard, or perusing the walls adorned with quirky pieces from the hotel’s impressive modern art collection. You can also explore the city’s canals in the hotel’s own canal boat (Winston Churchill chose to tour the city in this very same vessel in 1946). The 225 residential-style rooms come in all shapes and sizes; book one with a canal view. Delightfully surprising dishes make Restaurant Jansz a foodie favorite.
- Hotel website: Hotel Pulitzer
- Tip: get complimentary VIP perks when booking via Virtuoso (e.g. room upgrade, early check-in, late check-out, daily breakfast, welcome amenity and $100 USD hotel credit).
8. ANDAZ AMSTERDAM PRINSENGRACHT
Located in the historic center of the Dutch capital and within the UNESCO protected canal district, the trendy Andaz Amsterdam Prinsengracht provides a unique refreshing taste of the city. The boutique hotel was formerly the Public Library and is now one of the most creative five star luxury-lifestyle hotels in the city. Reflecting its lively and distinctive surroundings through the adventurous and modern Dutch design of renowned local designer Marcel Wanders, the 122-room hotel offers not merely a place to come home to and relax, but a place that will energize and inspire. The hotel’s Bluespoon Restaurant brings modern international dishes to life with the most seasonal local product
- Hotel website: Andaz Amsterdam, Prinsengracht
- Tip: get complimentary VIP perks when booking via Hyatt Prive (e.g. room upgrade, early check-in, late check-out, bespoke welcome amenity, daily breakfast, and $100 USD hotel credit).
- Review: read my review of Andaz Amsterdam, Prinsengracht here.
7. W AMSTERDAM
Split across two unique buildings – a former telephone exchange and a bank – W Amsterdam is an intriguing design mix of heritage and contemporary style, right next to Dam Square and the Royal Palace. Guests arrive in style when they check in at the rooftop W Lounge, the W brand’s re-interpretation of the traditional hotel lobby. There are 238 stylish guest rooms, including 28 suites. Guests can dine in the destination restaurants The Duchess and Mr Porter, taste signature sips at the rooftop W Lounge overlooking the Royal Palace, or take a dip in Amsterdam’s first rooftop pool (heated in winter).
- Hotel website: W Amsterdam
- Other accolades: W Amsterdam features in my top 10 list of Europe’s best hotel rooftops.
- Tip: get complimentary VIP perks when booking via Classic Travel (e.g. room upgrade, early check-in, late check-out, bespoke welcome amenity, and daily breakfast).
- Review: read my review of W Amsterdam here.
6. HOTEL DE L’EUROPE
Since establishing itself in 1896 as an independent luxury hotel, De L’Europe has evolved from an exclusive hotel in the heart of Amsterdam into a guardian of local culture and craftsmanship. Centrally located and overlooking the Amstel River, De L’Europe is perfectly located for visiting Amsterdam’s most heralded museums and points of interest or discover the very essence of Amsterdam in ‘t Huys, adjacent to the hotel. Stylish rooms and suites embrace local heritage with replicas of Dutch Masters paintings adorning the walls and bold hues of reds and blues, with special attention to design detail and modern technology. The hotel also offers a selection of the finest haute cuisine in Amsterdam and an unbeatable outdoor dining venue right on the river Amstel.
- Hotel website: Hotel de l’Europe
- Tip: get complimentary VIP perks when booking via Virtuoso (e.g. room upgrade, early check-in, late check-out, daily breakfast, $100 USD food and beverage credit, and one way airport transfer for junior suites & above).
5. INTERCONTINENTAL AMSTEL AMSTERDAM
Amsterdam takes its very name from the Amstel River, and InterContinental Amstel Amsterdam has been standing tall along her banks since 1867. An easy stroll from the Rijksmuseum, the Hermitage Amsterdam, and other must-see attractions, this palatial hotel is often referred to as the Grande Dame of Amsterdam. All 55 guestrooms and 24 suites are furnished with authentic furniture, rich pleated curtains and handmade Delft porcelain. After exploring the city, relax in the health club, have a glass of wine on the terrace and watch the river flow, or enjoy a dinner at Amstel Restaurant which proudly serves an international choice of food and drinks with a surprising Dutch twist
- Hotel website: InterContinental Amstel Amsterdam
- Tip: get complimentary VIP perks when booking via Virtuoso (e.g. room upgrade, early check-in, late check-out, daily breakfast, and a boat tour through the canals of Amsterdam or a $100 hotel credit if you cant take advantage fo the boat tour).
4. SOFITEL LEGEND HOTEL THE GRAND AMSTERDAM
Guests at Sofitel Legend The Grand Amsterdam are promised a divine stay – and not simply because the building was formerly a 15th-century convent. Tucked in the city center, along two of Amsterdam’s finest canals – Oudezijds Achterburgwal and Oudezijds Voorburgwal – this legendary hotel has been sleekly redesigned by French designer Sybille de Margerie with 21st-century sensibilities. Each of the 178 spacious guest rooms possesses its own style, with exposed brick, bold damask, and vibrant prints. Suites offer butler service; award-winning restaurant Bridges serves local cuisine with a French twist; and in nice weather, the private garden terrace is a must.
- Hotel website: Sofitel Legend The Grand Amsterdam
- Tip: get complimentary VIP perks when booking via Virtuoso (e.g. guaranteed room upgrade at the time of booking, early check-in, late check-out, daily breakfast, $100 USD food & beverage credit, and for pre or post-cruise stays, complimentary one-way transfers to or from Passenger Terminal Amsterdam).
- Review: read my review of The Grand Amsterdam, a Sofitel Legend Hotel here.
3. HOTEL TWENTYSEVEN
Crowds of people ebb and flow down on Dam Square, but at TwentySeven Hotel, you’ll feel you’ve left the city far behind. This extraordinarily sumptuous hotel, set on the upper floors of an iconic landmark building, feels more like an elite private club, and rightly so. Every inch of TwentySeven’s 16 suites has been carefully designed to delight its guests, from voluptuous sofas and velvet wallpapers to handmade Italian curtains and Nepalese carpets. The hotel’s executive chef and wine director take guests on a global gastronomic journey at the Michelin-starred Bougainville restaurant. Challenge the discreet, sure-footed team to make any city dream come true.
- Hotel website: Hotel TwentySeven
- Tip: get complimentary VIP perks when booking via Virtuoso (e.g. room upgrade, early check-in, late check-out, bespoke welcome amenity, daily breakfast, and $100 USD food & beverage credit).
- Review: read my review of Hotel TwentySeven here.
2. CONSERVATORIUM HOTEL
The Conservatorium Hotel is a luxury lifestyle palace, evoking glamour and elegance for sophisticated, design-savvy travelers. Housed in a former bank and music school, the hotel is located in the heart of Amsterdam’s famous fashion and museum district, adjacent to the Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum, Stedelijk Museum, and P.C. Hooftstraat, a street of luxury retail shops. With eight floors and 129 rooms and suites, the hotel offers spacious deluxe rooms up to a penthouse suite, featuring state-of-the-art technology and large bathrooms. Access to the hotel’s fabulous spa (with pool) is complimentary. Exquisite food is offered in the Brasserie & Lounge and in in the Asian-inspired restaurant, Taiko.
- Hotel website: Conservatorium Hotel
- Tip: get complimentary VIP perks when booking via Virtuoso (e.g. room upgrade, early check-in, late check-out, bespoke welcome amenity, daily breakfast, and $100 USD hotel credit).
- Review: read my review of the Conservatorium Hotel here.
1. WALDORF ASTORIA AMSTERDAM
Waldorf Astoria Amsterdam is a legend along the city’s fabled canals. This magnificent grouping of 17th- and 18th-century palaces, set along the prestigious, UNESCO-protected Herengracht in the Golden Bend neighborhood, brings the legendary True Waldorf Service to the heart of Holland’s capital. Authentic contemporary decor and architectural touches define the 93 elegant rooms, lofts, and suites, which are reached by elevators or by a unique grand staircase built by the architect of Louis XIV, Daniel Marot. The King Lofts, located on the highest floor, with the building’s original wooden beams, are particularly enticing. Dine with a two-Michelin-starred chef in Spectrum, followed by after-dinner cocktails at the stylish Vault Bar.
- Hotel website: Walfdorf Astoria Amsterdam
- Other accolades: The Waldorf Astoria also features in my top 10 list of the most amazing city hotels in Europe.
- Tip: get complimentary VIP perks when booking via Virtuoso (e.g. room upgrade, early check-in, late check-out, daily breakfast, and $100 USD food and beverage credit).
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I think the IC Amstel is highly overrated. My stay was totally underwhelming in all aspects. Only pool/ sauna is quite nice.
I was in IC Amstel and I think it’s highly underrated. My stay was pretty good. My Top 5 in Amsterdam goes like this:
1. Conservatorium
2. Hotel TwentySeven
3. InterContinental Amstel Amsterdam
4. Canal House
5. either Hotel Seven One Seven or De L’Europe
Stayed at Waldorf Astoria in 2019. Fabulous hotel, beautiful room overlooking the canal, and excellent service. Restaurant was disappointing but we’d go again.