Amsterdam Travel Guide
Amsterdam Hotels / Design Hotels / Boutique Hotels / Netherlands Hotel / Hotel Openings / Historical Hotels / → All Tags
Former Conservatory-Turned-Duplex Suite Hotel is Music to Amsterdam's Ears
The latest addition to Amsterdam's, ahem, smokin' hot hotel scene is The Conservatorium, recently opened near P.C. Hoofstraat, otherwise known as the city's version of Rodeo Drive. Our intrepid sources have been scouring for early reviews of the petite 129-room escape, but all we've learned about the hotel so far is that it's aiming to "[bring] back the essence" of the iconic 19th Century ex-music conservatory renovated to create the space (hence the name).
For the Sake of Hotel Art / Hotel Art / Amsterdam Hotels / Vondel Hotels / → All Tags
For the Sake of Hotel Art: A Delft Lenin at Amsterdam's Hotel JL No. 76
Is the WiFi free? Does the gym have good machines? All these things get noticed when checking into a hotel, but what about the atmosphere of the place—specifically the art on the walls or on the floor? We're highlighting properties around the world that do their artwork right, and the specific pieces you should stare long and hard at when next you drop by.
Today: The Hotel JL No. 76's "An Ornament and a Crime" Lenin Bust by Studio Qubus/Maxim Velcovsky.
Walk into the Hotel JL No. 76 on the quiet Jan Luijkenstraat nearby Amsterdam's Museumplein and, first thing at reception, you'll come face-to-face with Lenin. Sure, it's only a bust of good ol' Vladimir, but the interest is in the traditionally Dutch delft design that covers his porcelain visage.
Hotel Minibars / Photo Gallery / Amsterdam Hotels / Hotel Design / Holland Hotels / → All Tags
The Biggest, Baddest Hotel Minibar in All the Land
Have you ever walked into a hotel room and spotted a piece of furniture where you're just like, "what the heck is that?" The hope is that it's something awesome—say a turntable closet or a washer/dryer—but at luxury Amsterdam hotel The Dylan, the surprise is a custom-made minibar cabinet.
Open its mother-of-pearl handles (yes, they're real). The Dylan's bespoke cabinets can be found in each room, and they contain everything from fancy teas and bottle opener to Pringles, Heineken, and a fridge of champagne and soda. You won't find Keurig cups or plastic stirrers here; the espresso machine is serious business and so are the china and glassware. For rooms which begin around $460 per night, amenity overkill of this sort is not only appropriate, but appreciated.
Hotel Cars / Amsterdam Hotels / Inntel Hotels / Hotel / → All Tags
Above and Beyond Hotel Bike Rentals: Hotel Vespas
We're not going to lie; this autumnal weather makes us want to do two things: drink lots of hot "seasonal" beverages and ride mopeds around on quaint cobblestone streets. Fortunately both of these can be had in Amsterdam, Netherlands, and even at your hotel if you choose the right one. For sure, we know two properties in the Dutch capital that rent Vespas right from the front desk: Hotel JL No. 76 and Inntel Centre.
Of course if you're unwilling to fork over around 40 Euro/day for the privilege of breezing by the masses of cyclists in the city, you can always join them with a bike rental.
Know of any other hotels with Vespa rentals? Let us know in the comments below!
[Photo: HotelChatter]
Yotels / Amsterdam Hotels / Holland Hotels / Airport Hotels / → All Tags
The Yotel at Amsterdam-Schiphol Airport is Doing Brisk Business
All it seems we talked about in spring was Yotel NYC this and Yotel NYC that. Well, there are other Yotels out there, you know—more budget-friendly ones. The thing is, yu have to go to Europe and the UK to lay your head upon their pillows.
Unlike the NYC Yotel which sits just west of Times Square, you'll find the three other Yotels exclusively at airports: London-Heathrow, London-Gatwick and Amsterdam-Schiphol. Wanna see inside? No problem—we've already done a full video tour, photo gallery and review of one of the smallest "cabins" at the Heathrow Yotel, but last week we spotted the elusive Amsterdam Yotel!
Why elusive? Well, this Yotel sits in Schiphol Airport after security, so you've got to be in transit to somewhere outside the Schengen countries to claim a room. Luckily we were this time, but after playing around on the self-serve kiosk, discovered that the whole Yotel AMS was booked up full. Not even a brief 4-hour block was available. For this reason, better check ahead before setting off.
[Photo: HotelChatter]
HotelChatter Reviews / Amsterdam Hotels / Holland Hotels / Photo Gallery / Luxury Hotels / → All Tags
Inside The Dylan Amsterdam, One of the Legendary Designer Boutique Hotels
Unless you're staying at the The Dylan Amsterdam, you could easily walk right by it along the picturesque Keizersgracht canal without realizing you were passing one of the original five-star, design-oriented boutique hotels of the world. In car terminology, The Dylan is a "sleeper." So calm on the outside and blending into its 17th century surroundings in De Negen Straatjes (The Nine Streets) neighborhood, The Dylan conceals its opulent modernity only for those staying the night to discover.
Indeed staying here and experiencing the intimate service isn't cheap; nights in one of The Dylan's 40 rooms go from $460 and up, but for that you get seriously stylish (and tech-friendly) design, a location to make others jealous, free and fast WiFi, a massive bathroom and hotel staff that will go so far as to remember your name and help you park and lock one of the hotel's rental bikes.
Hotel Boats / Amsterdam Hotels / Luxury Hotels / Holland Hotels / → All Tags
Of Course a Proper Amsterdam Canal Hotel Has a Proper Vintage Canal Boat
For almost three years now, we've had a burgeoning obsession with hotels that have their own boats. it began with with luxury launch at the W Maldives and even stretched to the Universal Studios water transfers at the Portofino Bay in Florida. Now, hotel boats head to Europe and we drool over the luxury boat The Muze of The Dylan Hotel, Amsterdam.
The Muze is a restored 19th century salon boat, of which you'll find few plying the canals these days. Hop on from The Dylan's personal dock in front of the hotel and onboard, The Dylan can arrange a live cooking session and full meal from their Michelin-starred restaurant Vinkeles.
HotelChatter Reviews / Amsterdam Hotels / Holland Hotels / Photo Gallery / Vondel Hotels / → All Tags
Vespas, iPads and Free WiFi, Oh My! Inside the Hotel JL No. 76 in Amsterdam
There's a vibrant orange Vespa parked out front of the hotel, free WiFi inside, iPads available for complimentary use, a self-serve cappuccino machine, a location about two minutes away from the Rijksmuseum, sub-150€ nightly rates and beds so comfy we overslept...twice. Is this heaven? Nope—it's Amsterdam's Hotel JL No. 76, one of the newest hotels in the city and certainly one of the most overlooked (by Americans, that is).
The Hotel JL No. 76—its name is its address, you see—sits on the quiet Jan Luijkenstraat, an upscale residential street cozied between the huge attractions of Vondelpark (basically Amsterdam's Central Park), Museumplein and the luxury shopping street of PC Hooftstraat (Louis Vuitton is literally around the corner).
JL No. 76 is the shiniest star in the small crown of Vondel Hotels, a Dutch chain that solely focuses on their four properties in Amsterdam, but for comparison's sake, we'd say its attitude and design is closest to the American chain of Kimpton Hotels.
Now about that Vespa and those iPads....
Hotel Bicycles / Hotel Cars / Amsterdam Hotels / Vondel Hotels / Holland Hotels / → All Tags
To Bike or To Scooter? That is the Amsterdam Hotel Question.
It's Amsterdam Week over at our sister site Jaunted, so we're going a little Dutch ourselves. In Amsterdam, hotels don't just have one or two bikes available for rent. They have a whole rack ready and waiting out front. Biking is a way of life, it's how you commute, have fun, exercise and socialize. Therefore it's pretty easy to lay down the extra 13 Euros to take out one of the Hotel JL No. 76's bright orange Beicks and spend the day getting purposefully lost in Amsterdam's web of canals and bike lanes.
The Beicks used are standard Dutch city bikes, with wider tires for navigating cobblestones and tram tracks, but outfitted with a big black basket perfect for toting home wedges of cheese and bouquets of flowers and pairs of wooden clogs and bottles of Amstel or Grolsch—aka the makings of a pretty good time.
Hotel Openings / Amsterdam Hotels / Boutique Hotels / A Curious Group Of Hotels / → All Tags
Presenting a Curious Hotel Opening In Amsterdam
A “better” room
There can never be too many excuses to visit Amsterdam, but if you want one that doesn’t involve a mild thrill of illicit activities, try this new hotel opening.
The latest hotel on the Amsterdam block (canal, even) is Canal House - and if its sister hotels, Cowley Manor in the UK and L'Hotel in Paris, are anything to go by, it’s going to be a cracker.
Three 17th century merchant houses on the Keizersgracht canal have been plugged together to make the hotel, which is the result of a three year restoration project.
There are only 23 rooms and from the looks of the pictures on the website, we likey a lot. Dark silk walls, original wooden beams, and a bit of glitz in the bathroom tiles – it looks stunning. The only drawback? Peekaboo bathrooms, like in this picture. Yowza. But, according to the hotel, some rooms have separate bedrooms and bathrooms. If you’re coy, you’d better specify that in your reservation.
Andaz Hotels / Hotel News / Amsterdam Hotels / Hotel Hype / Hyatt Hotels / → All Tags
Andaz and Marcel Wanders Go to White Castle, Er, Amsterdam
Andaz Hotels are not joking around about their expansion plans. They just released news today that Andaz Amsterdam will open in a former library on the Prinsengracht in 2012. And adding to the offbeat Andaz experience will be interior designer (and Dutch homeboy) Marcel Wanders, he who did the ethereal Mondrian South Beach. Here is a bit of PR-speak about the hotel from...well, the press release:
In line with other Andaz branded hotels, Andaz Amsterdam will combine the best of lifestyle and boutique hotels with a contemporary and personal approach. Hyatt will offer its guests an authentic stay in the heart of Amsterdam focusing on an innovative hospitality experience blending personal preferences with attentive and uncomplicated service.
Hotel Hype / Amsterdam Hotels / Fashion Hotels / → All Tags
Amsterdam's Lloyd Hotel To Create a New Fashion 'Catwalk' Hotel
A room at the Lloyd Hotel in Amsterdam.
Touristy trappings and neon signs currently welcome visitors to Amsterdam, none of which say "chic." According to design.nl, the city is hoping to banish the kitsch and turn its entrance into a veritable catwalk, offering a sleeker "Hallo!" to its international friends.
Introducing a high style hotel is a part of the city's makeover scheme, a collaborative project between The Lloyd Hotel Cultural Embassy, AMFI-Amsterdam Fashion Institute and NV Stadsgoed. The Lloyd reflects some of Amsterdam's most forward-thinking design, with cheeky messages about global warming emblazoned on bedding and "fold-away" bathrooms among some of its quirky touches.
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