When visiting the 'Venice of the North' – that's Amsterdam, by the way – why not make sure you're right by the waterways by staying in the city's finest canalside sleepers? Below, we've shortlisted five of our top picked hotels in the famed 'grachtengordel' for a picture-perfect stay:
Andaz
Former public library turned mod design doll, given the quirk-Dutch touch by Marcel Wanders. Crisp, simple bright-white suites, seasonal farm-to-tabler Bluespoon, crafty cocktail lounge, petite spa and gym, library, Alice-in-Wonderland garden and primo canal posi.
Prinsengracht 587, Centrum, Amsterdam, amsterdamprinsengracht.andaz.hyatt.com
Waldorf Astoria
Service! It's all about seamless perks and modern luxe at this sleek, chic, neutrally-attired NYC import consisting of six palatial C.17th riverside residences. Ample rooms/lofts all boast water or courtyard views; ace concierge, indoor pool, Guerlain Spa and glam-bam diner Spectrum.
Herengracht 542-556, Centrum, Amsterdam, waldorfastoria3.hilton.com
The Hoxton
More like a creative hub than a crib, this cluster of five C.17th canal houses secrets away 111 petite-to-plush abodes with high ceilings, original beams, cobalt blue hues, buttery leathers and Mid-Century accents. Double showers (sauce!), wow water views, and classic Hox perks (like 1hr free int’l calls + daily deli brekkie bag) as standard. Kick back at Soho House's cafe-bar-grill Lotti's or sumptuous cocktail den Up Top.
Herengracht 255, Centrum, Amsterdam, thehoxton.com
SEE ALSO: The Hoxton
Pulitzer
Bold, stylish, antique-accented Betsy sprawling over 25 interconnected, historic canal houses with individually designed digs, upscale Euro at Jansz, sunny garden grazer Pause, and spiffy salon boat for exploring the local waterways – well, if it was good enough for Churchill...
Prinsengracht 315-331, Centrum, Amsterdam, pulitzeramsterdam.com
Ambassade Hotel
Hyper-colour decor, priceless wall candy, electric Damask textiles and classic-with-a-twist furny – chances are you'll feel as though you've fallen into one of the vibrant CoBrA artworks adorning almost every wall of the Ambassade. Though surreal in looks, this dapper chap's actually rather conservative, with faultless service, a quiet but perf-posi'd situ, well stocked library-cum-lobby-bar, and fine Gallic plates at the first floor Brasserie just a few of his elegant quirks. Book it.
Herengracht 341, Centrum, Amsterdam, ambassade-hotel.nl
Pack light, pack LUXE and uncover the crème of the canal capital.
