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The Amstel Hotel is a luxury hotel in Amsterdam, the Netherlands since 1867 now managed by the Intercontinental Hotels Group. In the past two years I have been lucky to have several stays there and therefore its time for a review. The hotel is located at the shore of the Amstel river and most places in Amsterdam center can be walked in 15-25 minutes which makes it a great location. Or: just take a boat directly from the hotel into the center! Read on and find out the details about this luxury hotel.
The rooms at the Amstel Hotel
I arrived late morning on the 7th February 2015 for check-in into room 311 which was already available. As Royal Ambassador of the IHG group my executive room was upgraded to an executive suite which of course is much appreciated as I like to have a separate living and sleeping area. When you enter the hotel you arrive at the lobby which seems very huge for a hotel with “only” 79 rooms. I’ll explain you later in the history section below why the lobby is so big. The check-in went very quick, smooth and with great care taken of the guest to feel at home.
NETHERLANDS – An Amsterdam city walk for first-timers
All decors of each room in the hotel are specially designed for the hotel. I have stayed at junior suites, executive suites and the penthouse suite. The last is on two floors having the bedroom on the 5th floor in the “tower”, there are only 2 rooms like this as the hotel has only 4 floors. This time I stayed at an executive suite with a blue decor. Every part of the room is full of details and motives returning in various items in the room like pillows and walls. The bathroom has a great bath, separate shower and amenities of Molton Brown. Beside all these standard rooms there are various special rooms like the presidential suite, royal suite and the first champagne room Dom Perignon suite. I’ll be back soon and hope one day to try the royal suite which must be awesome 🙂
Food & Beverage
The hotel has two restaurants, a lounge and a bar. I tried all of them during my stays.
A-Bar & lounge
The A Bar is a modern cocktail bar where you can have a drink all day until after midnight. The range of beverages offered is so large that you won’t be able to try them all during a night. During sunny days you can relax on the terrace with a champagne overlooking the Amstel river with boats passing by. What do you want more in the heart of Amsterdam? This is luxury! In the lounge you can have a great high tea or just have a coffee throughout the day. A nice place to relax or to have a casual business meeting.
Brasserie
The Brasserie is one of the two restaurants. The Brasserie is a casual place where you can have some apperitive and a great dinner after. If you do not want to rush to the city or have an hour lasting dinner at La Rive this is a great place to go. Nice menu selection at affordable prices makes this a great place to have a dinner and some drinks.
La Rive
This Michelin starred restaurant is my favorite in Amsterdam for a long cozy dinner. The atmosphere is more to the smart casual than to official which I like. The staff is always into a chat and knows everything about the dishes served, the wines and the Dutch cheeses. You can choose from two set menu’s (left and right) of each 5 or 6 courses without the cheese which would be an additional course. Add some of the best caviar with your apperetive to start your dinner in even more luxury. Each course is carefully prepared and displayed into perfection. The taste is sublime with each dish having multiple tastes, structures and colors. The price? This is still affordable from 100-120 euro for the food and just 90 euro if you take wine with every course. At least once or twice a year I have to dine here, I like it!
The SPA
To be honest I did not try the SPA myself yet but did have a look there and told myself I have to go there next time. The SPA features a swimming pool of moderate size with around it seats seperate from each other to give you privacy. In summer you can also sun bath outside overlooking the Amstel river. The SPA has a horizontal shower which you can lay in and it will massage your back with water, a uniqueness in Europe. Massage, jacuzzi, sauna and more is all offered including drinks and small snacks. The SPA is available for every guest without additional costs.
Amstel Hotel and its history
Plans for the Amstel Hotel started in 1863 and the hotel first opened its doors in 1867. It was built in the middle of grassland between a big train station and the city of Amsterdam. The building as it is now is actually only a fourth of the planned building which should have had a total of four wings. Due to economics and lacking funds only one wing was completed in 1867 and opened its doors. This is also why the lobby looks so enourmous for a hotel with only 79 rooms. In early days the best rooms where at the lower levels as there they had showers. Later the best rooms moved to the upper floors and also the 4th floor was added. There are now 55 normal rooms and 24 suites.
NETHERLANDS – An Amsterdam city walk for first-timers
The hotel has a lot of original items still being used today. In the lobby you find a big chandelier (photo in gallery) which is hanging there since the opening. In the beginning it was lighted by candles but this was the first place in the hotel to have electric lighting later on. Half way the stairs to the first floor you find a clock which was given to the hotel by Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands. At the first floor you find various leather seats which are as old as the hotel. You can have a great business meeting there! All these old details make your stay complete at this monumental building.
Conclusion
Every time again I stay with great pleasure at the Amstel Hotel. If you are looking for luxury in a monumental hotel then this is your place to go! A Michelin star dinner, a high tea overlooking the Amstel or a great day at the SPA? Amstel Hotel has it all. I recommend this hotel to everyone who wants to have an unforgettable experience in Amsterdam.
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Gallery of the Amstel Hotel
** All opinions are based on a genuine stay, flight or experience. I’m not affiliated with the hotel, airline or tour operator but I might be (partially) sponsored – or paid. **
