Best Design Hotels in The Netherlands

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.

In a prime waterside location, this 19th-century property exudes understated luxury across its 29 rooms and suites. Floor-to-ceiling windows allow light to flood in and guests to enjoy the leafy and IJssel river views. Crisp white Egyptian cotton linens are contrasted by monochrome photo prints and inky wooden furnishings. And some categories of bedrooms come with complimentary vouchers to ride the nearby ferry across to the other side of town. There’s a sunny terrace for warmer days, the IJssel Restaurant serving fine cuisine and The Living, found in the conservatory, with a menu of drinks and bites.

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.

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.

This cool and quirky hotel provides a refreshing change with its colourful and playful décor and plenty of places for guests to unwind for a while. Located just a short stroll from Rotterdam Blaak railway and overlooking the pretty Oude Haven, the CitizenM Rotterdam boasts an excellent location. The traditional lobby has been replaced by a series of stylish living rooms where guests are encouraged to linger, while guests are invited to use one of the Apple Macs during their stay or inspect the large library that contains books on just about every subject imaginable. Guests lean towards the minimalistic side of things with furnishings in neutral tones. Guests can start their day with fresh salmon and bread in CanteenM and end it with an expertly mixed cocktail from the extensive list that offers plenty of exotic surprises to sample.

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.

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.

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.

Fostering the art of living, this design hotel is set on the grounds of a former leather factory, in the charming area of Oisterwijk to the east of the city (conveniently close to the railway station). Its quadruple-height glass atrium is an impressive feature, around which 68 modern and comfortable bedrooms with big beds and blackout curtains, are arranged.

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.