To be savored calmly, Amsterdam offers not only unmissable artistic destinations and delightful views along the canals, but also top quality hospitality
Amsterdam should be savored calmly. The 360° panorama that can be enjoyed from the A’dam Toren Lookout or a tour aboard one of the Amsterdam Boats reveal some destinations: from the Rijksmuseum with its collection of works of art through 800 years of Dutch history to the department store of the luxury Bijenkorf; from the Royal Concertgebouw, home of the Netherlands Philarmonic Orchestra, to the Coster Diamonds or Gassan stores, where you can learn the art of diamond cutting and of course buy them, up to the Van Gogh Museum. But a stay in Amsterdam is also synonymous with 5-star hospitality. Here are 6 addresses not to be missed.
The Andaz Prinsengracht hotel stands since 2012 In what was once the Public Library of the city, which has kept the façade of the historic building unchanged, located along the Prinsengracht canal and immersed in the atmosphere of the historic center, full of galleries art and addresses of the fashion world. Inside the hotel, there is the magical contemporary reinterpretation of Dutch history signed by interior designer Marcel Wanders. Common spaces, rooms and suites full of style where the famous architect played with the colors and typical elements of Holland, between large designs and blue decorations inspired by Delft ceramics, the orange color, the tulips and an impressive use of books, to recall the original function of the building. While for the lush inner garden he was inspired by “Alice in (Wonderland) Amsterdam”. Built with particular attention to energy sustainability and according to high quality standards, the Andaz has 122 rooms, including 5 suites and a relaxing SPA. The offer is completed by the Bluespoon Restaurant & Bar, where you can taste modern Dutch
cuisine through refined menus with 5, 6 or 7 courses featuring fresh, colorful and creative seasonal products. The same creativity that is found, combined with craftsmanship, in the Bluespoon Bar cocktails, designed to enhance the flavor of the individual ingredients.
//www.hyatt.com/en-US/hotel/netherlands/andaz-amsterdam-prinsengracht/amsaz
Located in the UNESCO area of Herengracht, the Waldorf Astoria is made up of 6 historic houses dating from the 17th and 18th centuries that dominate the city’s largest canal, the Herengracht, built during the Golden Age. The historic exterior leads to a single entrance whose grand staircase is attributed to the French architect Daniel Marot, who worked in Holland for Stadhouder, the future William III of England. The 93 luxury rooms and suites of the hotel each have their own character despite being joined by soft and elegant furnishings in lapis lazuli and ocher colors, refined fabrics and large full-length windows that welcome natural light. Among the flagships also the exclusive Guerlain SPA, with its delicate colors inspired by the artistic heritage of Amsterdam and overlooking the hotel’s large private garden, winner of the World Luxury Spa Awards in the last three years. Do not miss the culinary experience thanks to the team led by Sidney Schutte, who manages to merge his years of international experience as a high-level chef with the qualities and values of the Waldord Astoria. The creations of the chef’s author can be appreciated both in the elegant and modern Spectrum restaurant – 2 Michelin stars and 18.5 Gault Millaut points – and in the more informal, but no less gourmet, Goldfinch Brasserie.
www.waldorfastoria.com/amsterdam
A legend by name and in fact, the Sofitel Legend The Grand is set in its two canals in the heart of the city. Former 15th-century convent, then royal residence, headquarters of the Dutch Admiralty and finally the Town Hall, the hotel has 177 rooms including 52 suites – with exclusive butler service – including the Imperial Suite and the Royal Suite. The French designer Sybille de Margerie used the images of legendary people from the history of the building as a source of inspiration, harmonizing traditional French design with contemporary and typical Dutch style elements and carefully preserving the rich historical heritage of the structure, while equipping it with the most advanced technology to meet the needs of the modern traveler. And where once the canteen of the former Amsterdam City Hall was located, today it is a real temple for gourmets, who can choose between the garden bistro Oriole and Bridges, a fish restaurant awarded with a Michelin star and where Chef de Cuisine Raoul Meuwese combines the tradition of French cuisine with international influences in his dishes. And at the Chef’s Table you can experience the magic of the cuisine brigade up close (maximum 6 people). For a day of total relaxation or a sauna, a physical activity break, the hotel also offers the Sofitel SPA and Sofitel Fitness areas.
//www.sofitel-legend-thegrand.com
The Pulitzer winds through a labyrinth of 25 houses overlooking the Golden Age canal, which among its 225 rooms also boasts 4 exceptional collectors’ suites with private entrances inspired by the narrative of characters who could have lived in the buildings over the years: from a art lover to an eccentric lover of books, from a musician to an antique collector. Their furnishings are truly special: a bow of books running from floor to ceiling, a wall of trumpets and even a large painting depicting the “L’Ultima Cena” in a modern key. The hotel lobby, eccentric but at the same time rich in style and elegance, is a riot of Persian carpets and antique furniture surrounded by historical and contemporary works of art. Adjacent to the lobby, there is a flower shop whose colorful display refers to Dutch culture and a library that displays the Pulitzer Prize winning books. The creative director Jacu Strauss has worked with a highly qualified team to discover the heritage of these houses and bring out their “secrets” in a look as eclectic as it is elegant. Do not miss a relaxing stop in the large interior gardens, which host the Pause at Pulitzer café. While the Jansz restaurant offers menus of modern classics that respect the simplicity of the products and the highest quality ingredients.
//www.pulitzeramsterdam.com
Open since 1896, the De L’Europe Hotel has always attracted the elite of international clientele and is one of the favorite places for those who want a truly luxury stay right in the city center. His Hoofdstad Brasserie with open kitchen offers delicious international dishes and the best French oysters, while the star-studded restaurant Bord’Eau captures from the first impact also for the elegant atmosphere, with its decorations in golden leaves and the beautiful view of the center historic city of Amsterdam. Executive chef Bas Van Kranen, a proponent of a clean, light and recognizable cuisine, has divided his proposals into 3 seasons instead of 4: from January to April his menu is dedicated to fish, molluscs and
crustaceans; from May to September it focuses on ingredients of vegetable origin, while from October to December the stoves burn with game and organic meat. Maximum comfort is at the center of the 111 rooms, including 63 suites and two elegant signature suites: the Penthouse Suite, 132 square meters with a private terrace overlooking the river and the Circle Suite, which in 82 square meters also offers a jacuzzi with a view of the Amstel and the sparkling reproduction of Van Gogh’s Starry Night on the ceiling. To complete the offer even pure moments of well-being in the SPA of Skins Institute.
//www.deleurope.com
An impressive entrance and a royal interior with original 19th century stairways, chandeliers and elegant marble floors are the calling card of the InterContinental Amstel, with river view lounge, chef Rogér Rassin’s French cuisine at Restaurant La Rive and a service of sedans for a private city tour. This historic 4-storey building has hosted famous personalities and international stars, from Queen Elizabeth II to David Bowie or the Rolling Stones, and is appreciated by the most demanding customers for its large rooms with high ceilings with marble bathrooms, furnishings ranging from warm reds with cool blues, antique furniture and antique prints perfectly mixed with the most modern comforts and with an impeccable but informal service. Relaxing and elegant the 15 meter long pool overlooking the river water, while the wellness center offers sauna, Turkish bath and whirlpool. And although there is no possibility of doing beauty treatments internally in the center, there is a physiotherapist in the hotel, thus continuing the long tradition of the end of the 1800s when Dr. JG Mezger, one of the founders of physiotherapy, took care of the hotel Amstel guests.
//www.ihg.com/intercontinental/hotels/nl/nl/amsterdam/amsha/hoteldetail
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