Best Historical Hotels in The Netherlands

Built at the dawn of the 20th century, this gabled hotel contains many stunning features, including an atrium that’s home to its VanOost fine dining venue. 88 bedrooms are elegant, with clean lines, neutral colours and mod cons such as Bluetooth speakers, smart TVs and Nespresso machines. Pillow Maurits’ spa takes the form of a treatment room and a sauna, there’s a city garden filled with birdsong to find a pocket of urban peace, an alfresco rooftop bar, and an all-day brasserie complementing the evening-only main destination restaurant. The hotel enjoys a leafy location beside Amsterdam’s Oosterpark.

A converted canal-house, Seven One Seven sits at the heart of Amsterdam’s action. And it offers a distinctly homely experience, akin to being hosted as an aristocratic house guest, rather than a tourist. You won’t see a reception desk, restaurant or bartender here, rather a discreet domestic staff who’ll cater to your every need (including food and drinks) in a more bespoke fashion. Public areas come in the form of a drawing-room, library and breakfast room, in addition to the nine bedrooms. The back of the mansion dates all the way to the 17th century, with the frontage having been added in the early 19th.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.