Amsterdam continues to reinvent itself in recent years and remains one of the most interesting cities in Europe on the luxury circuit. The quality hotel and gastronomy offer has multiplied and the “City of Diamonds” is attracting more and more travelers who want more than just opulence during their stay. Amsterdam’s canal ring, which was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2010, is an excellent starting point for memorable experiences in the city. Discover with us where to eat, learn, shop, and sleep in style in Amsterdam.
Luxury Hotels in Amsterdam
With dozens of five-star hotels, Amsterdam offers a variety of options. From classics to new hotel proposals, a location close to the canals is always welcome.
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One of the oldest in the city, the InterContinental Amstel opened its doors in 1867 and recently underwent a millionaire restoration, responsible for bringing back all the grandeur of the palace built on the banks of the Amstel River. The marble staircase in the lobby, the eight lions on the roof, and the original color palette are some of the details that make this hotel with 79 rooms and suites even more special.
The L’Europe is another classic in the city and has been operating since 1896 as one of the favorites of the elite in Amsterdam and celebrities from around the world. Part of the Leading Hotels of the World, the beautiful hotel has a privileged location on the Amstel River, 48 rooms, 63 suites, and a presidential suite with six rooms, all with replicas of Dutch Masters. The private tour on a classic boat is just one of the differentials of L’Europe. The hotel has several restaurants and bars, including the starred Bord’Eau, Brasserie Marie, the Promenade, which is the lounge where afternoon teas are served, and Freddy’s Bar, named after Alfred “Freddy” Heineken, the famous brewer of Heineken.
One of the city’s newest five-star hotels, the Waldorf Astoria Amsterdam is composed of six beautiful buildings from the 17th and 18th centuries on the Herengracht canal (Gentlemen’s Canal), considered the most important in the city and where the most influential people in Amsterdam lived. From the elegant marble entrance to the splendid staircase designed by Daniël Marot that brought the style of Louis XIV to Amsterdam, the hotel enchants with its details. Upon check-in, guests can choose, in addition to the pillow menu, the fragrance they want in their room and are greeted by a private concierge responsible for ensuring the smoothest possible stay. Before undergoing renovation and becoming a hotel, the buildings housed a bank for many years and there are details from that era. The Vault bar is where the bank vault was located and its decoration includes boxes that were used to store valuables and documents. Librije’s Zusje Amsterdam has two Michelin stars and the Guerlain Spa offers a variety of treatments.
The classic French hospitality with rich Dutch history is what makes the Sofitel Legend The Grand Amsterdam one of the most sought-after hotels in the city. The hotel served as a convent in the 15th century, then was the headquarters of the admiralty, and before becoming a hotel, it was the city hall of Amsterdam, where several important weddings took place, including Queen Beatrix’s. Its rooms and suites are decorated by the French Sybille de Margerie, who used Dutch elements during the renovation. Guests in the suites have a butler available to attend to their requests during their stay.
A true maze of 25 canal houses from Amsterdam’s Golden Age make up the Pulitzer Amsterdam, which uses its connections with the world of literature to decorate some of its most famous rooms. Among the 225 rooms and suites, the highlights are the Collector’s Suites. In the Book’s Collector Suite, a book arch decorates the main room, the office has a privileged view of the canal, and on the desk, there’s a collector’s typewriter. A perfect setting to finish that bestseller! A wall with trumpets and vinyl cover frames are the highlights in the Music Suite, and a modern reinterpretation of “The Last Supper” adorns the walls of the Art Suite. The romantic Pulitzer’s Suite has a bathtub in the middle of the room and is often used for wedding nights or honeymoons. The internal gardens are an invitation to relaxation, and at sunset, a classic drink at the Pulitzer Bar is the way to go.
The Conservatorium hotel was built to be a bank and later became a music school, hence the name Conservatorium. The hotel is located in the cultural heart of Amsterdam and continues to promote music. Music students play live every weekend, and there is also an annual jazz festival at the hotel. Its artistic vocation continues in the rooms, and two Artist-In-Residence Suites received complete decoration by painter Jasper Krabbé and photographer Marie Cécile Thijs, whose works are exhibited at the Rijksmuseum.
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Refined Gastronomy in Amsterdam
The gastronomic scene in Amsterdam has evolved a lot in recent years, attracting the world’s attention to creative Dutch chefs. There are more than 15 Michelin-starred restaurants in the city, several of them located inside five-star hotels and some with very accessible prices.
The starred (two stars) Bord’Eau Restaurant Gastronomique at the L’Europe hotel offers, in addition to the 5 and 7-step menu at the restaurant, the option of taking dinner to the canals aboard the Dyos boat for groups of 12 to 18 guests. In the same hotel, there is also the delicious option of Hoofdstad Brasserie. The Librije’s Zusje Amsterdam restaurant at the Waldorf Astoria has two Michelin stars, and the Goldfinch Brasserie is another excellent gastronomic option at the hotel.
The Bridges Dining restaurant at the Sofitel Legend The Grand Amsterdam hotel has a Michelin star and offers several à la carte options in addition to a special 4, 5, or 6-step menu, with its most affordable option being the Bridges BarBistro.
Do not think that dining at a Michelin-starred restaurant in Amsterdam will require leaving your monthly salary. The incredible Ron Gastrobar with a Michelin star since 2013, offers menu with affordable dishes starting at 17.50 Euros, and a 6-course menu for 69.50 Euros. Highlights of the menu include “Ron’s Boneless Spareribs” and the dessert “Ron Gastrobar Surprise Egg”.
The gastronomic options are not limited to starred restaurants. La Rive at the Intercontinental Amstel hotel has a privileged view of the Amstel River and French and Mediterranean cuisine on the menu. The Bluespoon at the Andaz Amsterdam Hotel uses local Dutch products to create typical European dishes, as well as an interesting cocktail menu with modern reinterpretations of several classics.