Best Luxury Hotels in Noord-Holland

Containing a carved spiral staircase by Louis XVI’s architect and 17th-century artworks, the Waldorf Astoria in Amsterdam is a positively decadent architectural wonder. Add to this a multi-award-winning Guerlain spa with a swimming pool, your own personal concierge and a two Michelin-starred restaurant and you’ll soon be living like a VIP. Its 93 bedrooms are housed in a collection of six 17th and 18th-century palaces on the UNESCO protected ‘Gentlemen’s Canal’. As such you’ll find plenty of grand period features, like beamed ceilings and original fireplaces.

If you prefer large scale fashionable luxury, the 238 bedroom W will suit you. One of its buildings is a former telephone exchange, the other a bank. But in contrast to many of the city’s competitors, it eschews vintage in favour of contemporary furnishings. Bright rooms include espresso machines and funky Marshall sound systems. Its rooftop lounge is a defining feature, the place to party and sip cocktails with a view. Or descend to the moodily lit, subterranean spa, hidden behind a large vaulted door. W has three restaurants, Mr Porter, The Butcher and The (Michelin-starred) Duchess.

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 very grown-up, so best suited to adult travellers.

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.