Best Urban Hotels in The Netherlands

This member of Design Hotels has just eight bedrooms, in the form of suites and lofts. It’s especially unique as it’s housed within a design gallery. So naturally, the decor in the guest areas is shaped by work from top artists. Loft and duplexes have freestanding tubs and each space features minimal industrial style decor. Kazerne has its own lively, urban bar and restaurant, as well as a fine-dining venue, Benz, taking its cue from French gastro cuisine. And anyone staying here is automatically granted access to the venue’s exclusive members club, including a living room with an honesty bar open 24/7.

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.

Encompassing part of the Teutonic Knights’ Bailiwick of Utrecht old monastery founded in 1348, the Grand Hotel Karel V is found in the Duitse Huis buildings. It’s named after its most famous guest, Emperor Karel V, who attended the meeting of The Order of The Golden Fleece here in 1543. A grand, five-star establishment, the hotel is surrounded by 10,000-square meters of landscaped gardens, making it a peaceful yet central retreat. The spa and wellness centre – with Puur by Kristel treatments – add to this sense of serenity, as does the elegant, classically decorated suites and the Karel V dining experience.

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.

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.

If Dutch old-world charm is what you seek, stay at The Collector Hotel. Each room has been individually designed by artists and named The Wallet, The Canvas, The Cabinet, The Frame, The Gallery and The Collector Loft (a double level duplex apartment with a standalone bathtub.). The hotel contains items that have been carefully curated – a selection of unique furniture and decorative objects. Hence each room contains an explorer’s ‘collection’, which will delight those who enjoy creative detail. Tan and deep green leather, pops of mustard yellow, gilt hardware, Persian rugs, banana plants, modern art come Elizabethan portraits and Zenology toiletries are found within, alongside an onsite bar and restaurant.

This leading luxury boutique hotel which was a former diamond factory is designed around the ‘modern aristocratic’ lifestyle of its eponymous, but fictional, patron. Culture vultures will find that Museum Square and Rijksmuseum are just 600 metres away, while bicycle rental is available for those who want to venture further afield. With high ceilings and large windows, rooms at Sir Albert merge historical detail with clean, modern style and their luxurious beds, made with our 300-thread-count Egyptian cotton bedding collection guaranteeing a good night’s sleep. Sir Albert Hotel is famous for the onsite IZAKAYA, Asian Kitchen & Bar, which treats diners to authentic Asian flavours in a contemporary setting.

citizenM Amstel Amsterdam is a boutique hotel located in the heart of Amsterdam, overlooking the Amstel River and close to key attractions like De Pijp and the city centre. Known for its sleek, modern design and tech-savvy amenities, the hotel offers 88 compact yet stylish rooms featuring a MoodPad control system, luxurious bedding, rain showers, and large-screen TVs with free Wi-Fi. Guests can enjoy 24/7 dining at CanteenM, relax in the spacious lobby and Living Room, or make use of business facilities. The hotel’s central location and innovative design make it a standout choice for both business and leisure travellers.

Set on a peaceful residential street in the theatre district, Hotel V Nesplein is a charming mid-century modern-style boutique hotel. Guests are sure to love the loft-style rooms, which boasts an industrial style that is lavished with plenty of luxurious touches. The rooms that are located at the backside of the hotel offer plenty of peace and quiet, while locals and visitors alike gather at the onsite restaurant and bar in the evenings. The hotels restaurant ‘The Lobby’ is the perfect place to dine in style while indulging in a spot of people watching, while the terrace is a great place to relax with a cup of coffee. Many of Amsterdam’s top attractions such as the Anne Frank House can easily be reached on foot from Hotel V Nesplein making it an place to unwind after seeing the sites.

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.

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.

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.