The city of Amsterdam offers many different attractions for modern tourists. Amsterdam is the cultural capital of Holland and the numerous beautiful canals running through the city have earned it the honorary nickname of the Venice of the North. With its rich history spanning more than 700 years, Amsterdam has evolved into a modern melting pot of cultures where people from different backgrounds come together to enjoy a unique urban environment that has something to offer to everyone. Today, Amsterdam attracts visitors from all over the world, and every one of them will need a place to stay when they get there. Of course, there are accommodations to be found at every price point and level of amenities, but at the upper end, Amsterdam offers some truly unique and luxurious hotels that equal the best the entire continent has to offer. Here is a quick rundown of some the best of the best hotels available in Amsterdam today:
Grand Hotel Amrâth
The Grand Hotel Amrâth has a long and rich history as the place where Dutch ships first sailed for the East Indies in 1595. Truly a grand hotel, the Amrâth boasts an elegant art deco facade and a huge skylight over the four-story lobby staircase. The hotel has only been open to the public for a few years and now offers 165 luxury rooms decked out in architectural woodworking and traditional dark colonial color schemes. This remarkable hotel also has several pools and restaurants under its roof and is priced quite reasonably with doubles starting at $325 per night, room only
Amstel Hotel
Amsterdam’s Amstel Hotel boasts a palatial facade, soaring archways and sparkling chandeliers that show it roots as a truly grand hotel. The Amstel features 79 rooms and suites that are all decorated with period furniture and art. Half of the rooms face the Amstel River and the nearby Hermitage Amsterdam museum adds to the old world riverfront atmosphere. Offering the ultimate in luxury accommodations, doubles at the Amstel start at about $540 for the room only.
Seven One Seven
Seven One Seven was originally a 17th century sugar trader's residence that was later turned into a 19th-century sugar mill complex, complete with mill and warehouses. Today the private canal guesthouse offers an all-inclusive experience that competes with any other hotels' promises. The Seven One Seven’s nine rooms are each named after different writers and composers, and each is individually decorated with meticulous attention to detail. Lodging for doubles starts at about $500 per night.
The College Hotel
The College Hotel is a renovated 19th-century school that offers its own brand of luxury packaged in old world charm. The College is one of the classiest hotels in town and still remains true to its roots as a school because so many hotel management students still train there today. The College Hotel boasts several fine restaurants that make running back to the city center to eat unnecessary. Doubles at the College start at the reasonable rate of $275 per night, room only.
Lloyd Hotel
As unlikely as it might seem, the Lloyd is a former detention center that has been transformed into 117 different rooms rated from one- all the way up to five-star ratings.
In the 5-star rooms it’s not uncommon to find a grand piano or a 4-yard-wide bed. At the other end of the scale, the 1- or 2-star rooms have only shared bathrooms or odd single showers located in the corner of the bedrooms. The 1-star doubles start at $125, 3-star rooms begin at around $225, and the top-of-the-line 5-star rooms start at $350, all prices cover the room only.
Grand Hotel Krasnapolsky
Location is one of the main attractions at the Grand Hotel Krasnapolsky where a modest façade conceals a royally luxurious interior. The Hotel’s central downtown location opposite the Royal Palace on Dam Square, permits up close views of the many national events taking place there, from championship celebrations to political protests, all are within view of the Krasnapolsky. Always a unique experience, doubles at the Grand Hotel Krasnapolsky start around $200 for the room only.
Hotel De Filosoof
As inspired by the hotel's name, the 38 rooms and suites at the Hotel De Filosoof are dedicated to famous philosophers, from Wittgenstein to Socrates. The Hotel De Filosoof is located just off the popular Vondelpark, with many nearby restaurants and shops catering to the tourist trade. Doubles at Hotel De Filosoof start at $140 for the room only.
Hotel Pulitzer
The Pulitzer is composed of 25 different buildings all located on one block between two downtown canals. As such, the Pulitzer is a maze of 16th- and 17th-century buildings that deliver a real taste of Amsterdam's rich history. The Pulitzer is located in the center of the Nine Streets shopping district, making it a great starting point for both historical sightseeing and contemporary shopping. Doubles at the Hotel Pulitzer start at $370, room only.
