Best Urban Hotels in The Netherlands

Formerly the Dutch National Bank, this is now a 63 bedroom boutique hotel. There are many nods to the building’s past life, including the original lifts, minibars housed in small safes, a brasserie named Stocks and Bonds and the Gold Bar in what was once the bank’s vault; Indigo’s speakeasy bar is distinctly 1920s, accessed via the old vault doors. The design is contemporary yet retro, with a mid-century colour palette and lots of chestnut brown wood panelling, brass and marble in the mix. The 19th-century property is located right opposite the Royal Palace Noordeinde.

Book a central stay at this hip, ten-floor, five-star address. Overlooking Rotterdam’s oldest harbour with its vintage barges, the aluminium and glass frontages of Mainport present a stark contrast to its surroundings. Inside, there’s artsy wallpaper themed on the world’s continents, clean lines, moody colour palettes and refined furnishings. The ‘Spa Heaven’ has two treatment rooms, two hammams, a sauna (with a view), a steam room – and around half of the 215 bedrooms even have their own private saunas. Guests can sip cocktails on the hotel’s swanky riverside terrace and dine at the open-plan restaurant. With extensive meeting facilities, Mainport is an excellent choice for the business traveller and tourist alike.

Found in the Museum Square district, this was once a musical institution – a heritage reflected in its title and ongoing collaborations. The Conservatorium was named the finest luxury hotel in Holland by Condé Nast, with Art Noveau interiors created by award-winning Milan-based designer Piero Lissoni. The lauded Akasha Holistic Wellbeing Centre offers everything from nutrition therapy, to meditation, to Watsu and has what is arguably the best-equipped gym in the city. Following the hotel’s subtle Asian influence, is Taiko, the dining experience and bar, where flavour, aroma and texture reign. Book a room, suite, duplex, or even your own wing.

Erected in 1896, De L’Europe sits beside the Amstel River on the site of a late medieval fortress. State-of-the-art technology, local heritage and classic design are melded into a five-star style. Elite suites are housed in the Dutch Masters Wing, named after the nation’s illustrious painters and with its own private entrance. The hotel is partnered with the Rijksmuseum, displaying fine art replicas from the likes of Rembrandt and Frans Hals. Haute cuisine is served in the critically acclaimed Bord’Eau restaurant, with alfresco summer dining at Hèt Terras. Freddy’s Bar mixes some of the best Bloody Marys in Amsterdam. And there’s a 4,300-square-foot Le Spa by Skins Institute, with a canalside indoor pool.

Behind the Gothic façade of this hotel, which was once a 15th-century monastery, is a dressed-down modern vibe.  Located in the heart of Maastricht, the hotel is perfectly located to explore the city and the local surroundings. Guests can choose from 60 rooms all of which are sleek and minimalistic but not without style – as to be expected given the hotel is a member of the Design Hotels Collection. Kruisheren Restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and dinner with a spectacular array of dishes served on a mezzanine in the monastery’s Gothic church.  For guests who enjoy the fruits of the vine, Wine Bar Rouge & Blanc presents an intimate setting to quaff a glass or two from the impressive range of vintages on offer.

Housed in a Gothic, former convent building, the Hotel Nassau Breda accommodates 94 guest rooms, with suites providing separate living areas and private balconies. Its Liefdegesticht, is a cathedral-like fine dining restaurant with stained glass windows and soaring ceilings, serving French haute cuisine with a modern twist. While Heeren van Oranje is a casual brasserie for international dishes. The hotel also has a chic bar with comfy velvet seating, a beautiful courtyard, an events space in what was once a chapel, a fitness centre and a sauna.

In the lively Hofwartier neighbourhood, the Hotel Park Centraal Den Haag sits by The Hague’s beautiful Royal Gardens. The hotel’s design heavily features a combination of the building’s history through traditional elements with a refreshing contemporary twist. There is a lavish selection of comfortable and modern guestrooms and Junior Suites which have been carefully decorated with stylish features celebrating Dutch heritage. Guests are invited to unwind in the ground-floor bar with classic cocktails and tempting snacks including Dutch favourites. Room service is also available for those wishing to savour the hotel’s offerings in the comfort of their own room. There is a tranquil interior courtyard, garden and terraces. The hotel offers a selection of elegant event spaces for hosting the finest functions from business events to weddings including in the grand ballroom Laurentine. This hotel is pet friendly.

Close to the railway station, The Den is found in one of the city’s newer and verdant districts. The design is modern, taking inspiration from the nearby watercourses – blue is a dominant colour in the decor – and the area’s Burgundian heritage. Public spaces feature contemporary lighting installations, curved lines and gold accents. The Den is equipped with a fitness centre, a lounge, a rooftop restaurant and bar and a further restaurant and bar downstairs, with 24-hour room service available in its 160 bedrooms. Pets are welcome to stay here too.

The international NH brand provides high levels of service and amenities, no more so than this — a five-star addition to the chain’s properties. Its 132 bedrooms have floor to ceiling windows, allowing masses of light to stream into the modern spaces, premium mattresses, rain-effect showers, Nespresso machines and professional standard hairdryers. It may be a contemporary hotel now, but the Eindhoven Centre used to be the offices of the Land Registry and tax department, redeveloped in 2017 to incorporate green glass, and a large LED screen on the side. The top floor of NH features the VANE restaurant and Skybar.

The delightfully named Mother Goose is a unique design hotel in a property dating back to the 14th century that lies in the city’s historic heart. Housed in what were once Ubica buildings, the venue has been home to a chemist, a bookstore, a printer, a plumbing company, a bakery, a furniture maker, a mattress factory and squatters. Now reclaimed wood, exposed brick and stone walls, Scandi furnishings and industrial style lighting adorn the rooms, along with chic treats like Tribes coffee, organic Art of Tea and Marie-Stella-Maris toiletries. Guests staying here benefit from the use of a funky lounge and bikes on loan.

The building may be a century and a half old, but the 24 rooms are bang on trend at Finch. One of the coolest addresses in town, it pairs original architectural features with modern design. Each bedroom comes equipped with a record player and a selection of vinyl, a Nespresso machine and a yoga mat — confirming its fashionable credentials. The hotel bar welcomes guests from morning till late at night, whether for a coffee while catching up on some work, a light lunch, cocktails or a sociable evening meal. The decor at Finch has a retro feel, with vintage black and white photography and art-deco-era-inspired furnishings.

Situated in the picturesque Canal Ring district encircling the city’s historic centre and boasting a lively atmosphere, The Toren – part of the Pavillions Hotel Group – provides the necessary comfort to complement an unforgettable séjour in Amsterdam. As a boutique hotel that once was occupied by vivacious Dutch trade merchants, each room Is completely unique, with views varying from the Keizersgracht canal to the hotel’s own charming gardens. On top of complimentary soft drinks in your very own minibar, The Toren’s Lounge Bar serves as a vibrant social hub where you can find à la carte breakfast options to a curated selection of wine. You could find yourself flowing between the winding streets, finding unique items at the city’s bustling markets or taking a moment to enjoy a cocktail or coffee at one of many local bars or coffee shops. The Toren is the cherry on top of a memory-filled stay, perfect for any traveller wishing to get wanderlust in Amsterdam.