One of Europe’s most liveliest cities, Amsterdam is a place where tolerance and an extremely liberal attitude seems to be embraced by all. Brimming with creativity and subcultures – many curious visitors are drawn to the city with the promise of great nightlife, interesting cafes and picturesque canals. Amsterdam’s thirst for the original is also evident in many of its hotels. Here are ten of the most inspiring and unusual hotels in the Dutch capital:
1. CitizenM Amsterdam City
Recently voted the trendiest hotel in the world, CitizenM offers contemporary luxury at surprisingly affordable prices. The hotel’s award winning design combines clean modern decor with functional space and innovative technology. All of the 215 rooms feature LCD TVs, a power rain shower, climate control and a king-size bed with Frette linen. Tech-nerds will particularly appreciate the touch screen ‘MoodPad’ which allows you to control the television, window blinds, coloured mood lighting and even call a member of staff.
2. Hotel Arena
A popular hotel with an intriguing past, Hotel Arena once housed orphans, elderly adults and young hostellers. Now fully but respectfully renovated by a group of acclaimed designers the end result is a unique combination of contemporary dutch design and historical character features. Light wooden floors, high ceilings, soothing white washed walls and a good use of space are the hallmark of every room. The glossy bathrooms are no less unique with open showers and larger than average bathtubs.
3. Sandton Hotel de Filosoof
An unconventional three star hotel founded by two deep thinking sisters. Each of the 38 rooms are dedicated to a philosopher or writer and range from a colourful interpretation of Confucius to a sparse but serene Zen room. The hotel also offers a buffet breakfast, free wifi, a spacious outdoor garden and art gallery. A lower price but professionally run hotel capturing an inspiring and authentic Amsterdam experience.
4. Hotel V Frederiksplein
Handily located near the fashionable Pijp area and Heineken Brewery, the achingly trendy Hotel V caters for a young individual crowd. The V concept combines unique design with a welcoming atmosphere and exceptional customer service. Each room is luxuriously designed to a boutique standard and the newly renovated lobby has an exclusive club lounge feel complete with with soulful music, roaring fire and comfy leather sofa. Perfect for a non-traditional, yet unpretentious hotel experience.
5. Qbic Hotel Amsterdam
An inventive budget hotel for the open minded. Qbic offers novel and alternative self catering accommodation with a strong focus on efficiency and unusual design. Guests have the chance of staying in a ‘Cubi’ where they will benefit from an extra long Hastens bed, an LCD television, a designer bathroom and an ingenious work-and-dine station. You can even change the colour of the lights to create different moods and atmospheres. The futuristic lobby also features a touch screen digital kiosk which provides you with local information on restaurants and cinema listings.
6. Lloyd Hotel
The frequently praised Lloyd Hotel is one of the very few hotels in the world that offers a full range of ‘one to five star’ accommodation. The revamped 1920′s building sits right in the heart of the trendy East Docklands area and has quickly become an Amsterdam institution. The one star rooms are sparse but full of character with a shared bathroom and the more luxurious rooms are spacious with exceptionally deigned furniture and interiors. A haven for original design, you also have the chance to stay the night in more unusual surroundings such as a bed which sleeps up to eight people.
7. Times Hotel
Centrally located and reasonably priced the Times Hotel offers accommodation where ‘Design meets Old Dutch’. Originally a canal mansion dating from 1650 the hotel has been recently renovated to deliver a successful mix of old and new. Now each of the individually and elegantly designed rooms showcases a wall sized old Dutch master such as Van Gogh or Vermeer which is contrasted with tastefully modern furniture. Guests will also benefit from private bathrooms and a bright welcoming lobby.
8. The Dylan
The Dylan is an award winning boutique hotel where top end luxury meets classic design. Once a theatre and then a workhouse for the poor, the Dylan’s interesting history is still evident in the hotel today (the restaurant still has the original workhouse floors and baking ovens). All rooms are individually designed and range from the tastefully elaborate to the minimalist and exceptional customer service and attention to detail is key to the brand. Different modes of transports are even lent out to staying guests, including bicycles and fully fitted canals boats.
9. The A-Train Hotel
Less cool more quirky, The A-Train is a traditional budget hotel with ‘train’ theme. Aptly located right in front of Amsterdam’s central railway station the family run establishment even has a railway carriage Pullman lounge and train tracks painted on the floor. Standard rooms are although basic are differently designed, for those seeking more comfort there are four ‘First Class rooms’ to choose from. Not to everyone’s taste but offering homely and unique accommodation in a great central location.
10. Inntel Hotel Zaandam
Part of the popular Inntel group Amsterdam Zaandam is a 4-star design hotel located in a town very close to the capital. Interiors have been carefully planned with a blend of contemporary modern industrial design and classic vintage details. The hotel also offers a relaxing wellness centre, swimming pool and an informal restaurant specialising in pure ingredients. The hotel’s exterior, although, is the biggest draw. The colossal cartoonesque 12 story structure gives the impression of traditional Dutch houses randomly stacked upon one another and certainly makes an statement.
