Best Urban Hotels in The Netherlands

Located on the Dam Square Hotel TwentySeven is probably Amsterdam’s most opulent and luxurious boutique hotel. Designed by the two-time Hotelier of the Year award winner Eric Toren, the hotel’s 16 suites are perfect in every way. The interior was designed by an award-winning design team which included the likes of Wim van de Oudeweetering and Cris Van Amsterdam. Every detail in the hotel’s suites has been meticulously curated, from its Nepalese carpets to its handmade Italian curtains and fascinating art from Cobra Art Amsterdam. With a Michelin star, the hotel’s restaurant, restaurant Bougainville, is a masterclass is fine dining. The menu, designed by renowned executive chef Tim Golstejin, uses only the finest ingredients and provides guests with some of the best food in Amsterdam whilst they gaze out over the iconic Dam Square. The hotel’s bar has an equally impressive view and provides guests with some of Amsterdam’s best cocktails. Hotel TwentySeven is a uniquely sumptuous hotel which provides guests with a uniquely personal luxury experience.

Made up of an impressive six canal side 17th and 18th Century townhouses, the Waldorf Astoria is a simultaneously sprawling but precise construction which oozes elegance from the moment youstep in side to the moment you leave. Suites are spacious and bright and tasteful as is the rest of the hotel which is often decorated with the building’s freeholder’s own contemporary art collection. The Guerlain Spa opens up into one of the city’s largest private gardens, full of luscious green grass and, in spring, 5000 tulips. The hotel’s restaurant is a two star Michelin tour de force called Spectrum which has to be experienced to be believed.

The NH Collection Amsterdam Barbizon Palace Hotel provides 5-star luxury, effortlessly combining gastronomy, architecture, and history in the heart of Amsterdam city centre. The building is a piece of history, consisting of a 15th-century chapel and a series of 17th-century houses, converted into 268 beautifully spacious rooms, meticulously curated to be classic yet contemporary with luxurious touches. The hotel flaunts original features; exposed wooden beans and sloping ceilings are effortlessly combined with sleek modern design and beautiful views. The hotel boasts a modern wellness area, with a fully equipped gym, a private boating dock and a magnificent centrepiece, the beautiful St Olof’s Chapel for weddings and events. With a Michelin star, the Vermeer restaurant is an exquisite fine dining experience, by renowned chef Sebastian Baquero Garces. Follow up with a unique cocktail in Bottles and Jars, a relaxed, chic bar. Just minutes from all of Amsterdam’s sights, this unique historical beauty is the perfect place for travellers to discover Amsterdam, whilst enjoying a taste of luxury.

The wellness centre here was voted the Netherlands’ Best Hotel Spa of 2020 and rooms come with Hermès branded products. The building itself has served many purposes as an ex-city hall, monastery, royal lodge and Admiralty. Inside, French interiors by Sybille de Margerie, complement an Art Deco extension and grand features dating back, in parts, to the 16th century. Dinner and organic wines are served in the Bridges restaurant, or garden bistro, with afternoon teas in the library lounge. Do take advantage of a local tour on the Sofitel’s private salon boat, horse-drawn carriage or one of its bicycles – a highlight of any stay here.

The ‘h’ remains silent when pronouncing the name of this cutting edge hotel. Designed by Dutch architect Rem Koolhas (himself born in the city), it’s found in the Kop van Zuid district. The 275 rooms are housed in what resembles three industrial glass boxes, with a crisp white-centric internal colour scheme, halo lighting and neon signage designating room numbers. Once in your private abode, you’ll find a massive mirror that doubles as a TV, Nespresso coffee makers, blackout curtains and modular furniture. Guests can take the air from nhow’s terrace and early risers will appreciate the crack of dawn breakfast service (which opens from 5.30 am onwards).

The 5-star InterContinental Amstel Amsterdam is not just another lavish hotel to be included in IHG Hotels & Resorts’ impressive Luxury & Lifestyle portfolio. The ‘Grand Dame of Amsterdam’ has provided an elegant and relaxing stay, overlooking the Amstel River, to guests from all over the world since 1867. Its central location facilitates the discovery of the iconic city while the hotel itself provides opportunities for fine dining with a stunning view in the Amstel Brasserie and a fully-equipped health & fitness club – complete with a sauna, steam room, jacuzzi and heated indoor swimming pool. The hotel’s 55 rooms and 24 suites are tastefully decorated with ornate furniture and Delft pottery to complement the exquisite décor and homely environment of the venue. Fit for any occasion, the hotel boasts 522m2 of meeting and event facilities, spread across 6 rooms. The InterContinental Amstel Amsterdam offers guests an exclusive opportunity to explore the Dutch capital in comfort and style.

No less than 25 linked canal houses make up the entirety of this 225 bedroom hotel. The contemporary bistro, Jansz, and casual restaurant Pause, both have large picture windows, so diners can take in the passing on-water activity from morning till night. The Pulitzer Old Fashioned (a pineapple twist on the original) is a favourite in the hotel’s vintage era bar. And a trip on the Pulitzer’s own teak salon boat is a must. Small dogs and children are welcomed, as are cyclists – you’ll find a puncture repair kit in every room, along with trendy Le Labo products.

As you walk into Andaz Amsterdam Prisengracht’s observatory themed lobby it soon becomes clear that this hotel is a design lovers paradise. The hotel occupies a former public library, and every inch of its spacious and welcoming interior is designed to convey stories of the capital and display Dutch heritage. The rooms are designed by Marcel Woods and many of them look out onto the canal or hotel garden. These rooms are light and friendly, they manage to skilfully combine Dutch history with a modern and playful atmosphere. The hotel boasts a spa, gym and even a canal boat on which guests can enjoy a fine dining experience all whilst cruising around the idyllic canals of Amsterdam. Andaz also hosts the unique Pris and Aap restaurant which serves locally sourced and avant-garde dishes which aim to not only delight the tastebuds but tell stories of Dutch culture and history.

The Anantara Grand Hotel Krasnapolsky Amsterdam is one of Amsterdam’s most renowned and historic hotels. It is so quintessentially Dutch that it even has cultivated its own Tulip. Located on the iconic Dam Square, it gazes upon the Royal Palace and is a stone’s throw from sites like Anne Frank’s House and the Van Gogh Museum. The hotel has hosted Royal parties and global conferences, one can easily see why due to its decadence and grandeur. Its 402 rooms seamlessly blend the hotel’s rich history with a modern design. The hotel has any amenities a guest may desire from a fully equipped gym which boasts its own climbing wall to an award-winning spa which allows guests the chance to relax after a busy day of exploring Amsterdam. The hotel is renowned for its gastronomic delights with the Grand Café Krasnapolsky providing guests with an exquisite culinary experience and Michelin-starred restaurant The White Room delivering one of the most luxurious dining experiences in Amsterdam. Guests are also welcome to enjoy a bespoke cocktail in the hotel The Tailor Bar after a night of fine dining surrounded by the Krasnapolsky’s historic grandeur.

Set in the very heart of the Jordaan district, Canal House is an uber-chic 23-bedroom boutique hotel that can be found right on the edge of the Keizergracht. This collection of former and seventeenth-century merchants’ houses have been fully revamped and features a glamorous contemporary design that is very comfortable. In addition to their own private spaces, guests are treated to large and lavish shared amenities such as the large garden. The Garden House and Summer House have been designed for private gatherings, while there are several on-site eateries to choose from.

This used to be the HQ of a charity and an almshouse, but post-millennium took on new life as a boutique hotel. It’s set back from the street, and entered via a peaceful courtyard, so guests instantly feel a sense of calm, exclusivity and elegance on arrival. The design is contemporary but fused with old-world charm, peppered with international antiques and oriental accents. Its 40 bedrooms are contained in two canalside buildings within the city’s shopping quarter. Meals are served in the Vinkeles restaurant (previously the house’s bakery) or the more relaxed Occo Brasserie. The vibe here is best suited to couples rather than families.

The Hoxton, Lloyd Amsterdam located on the Eastern Docklands of Amsterdam, transforms a century-old landmark originally built by the Royal Dutch Lloyd Shipping Company into a vibrant hotel. This second Hoxton location in Amsterdam features 136 rooms, including unique offerings like the top-floor Tower Room and musically-themed Tune Room. The hotel celebrates the building’s Art Deco heritage while integrating bold, contemporary designs and local Dutch artwork, maintaining a connection with the area’s artistic scene. Guests can enjoy the Breman Brasserie for European and South American-inspired dishes, the Barbue cocktail bar for a mix of European and Argentine flavours, and The Apartment for events. With a south-facing terrace and partnerships with local brands and artists, the Hoxton Lloyd aims to be a cultural hub in its neighbourhood, enhancing both guest and local experiences through its aesthetic and community-focused initiatives.