"Once Amsterdam ’s main public library, the Andaz Amsterdam Prinsengracht looks like a 1970s block on the outside. But inside, renowned Dutch designer Marcel Wanders has transformed the space into a whimsical and grown-up homage to Alice in Wonderland . Decorated with oversized furnishings (including Wanders’ signature Tulip chairs and modern twists on chandeliers), Delft blue tilework and brocade upholstery (references to historic Dutch style), and avant-garde artwork, the design hotel hardly feels like part of a chain, even one as hip as the Andaz. Instead, with its serene herb garden full of quirky topiaries, a checkerboard mural, and chess-piece statues, the canalside hotel channels a fresh take on Amsterdam. But don’t worry, authentic Amsterdam is still out there—take the free bicycles for a spin along the waterways, and know that free snacks await you back in your room."

"Nestled amid the canals of Amsterdam ’s hip Jordaan neighborhood, Canal House’s romantic facade promises dark, dust-laden rooms packed with antiques, but such promises will mostly go unfulfilled. The hoteliers, also behind a handful of acclaimed boutique hotels in the UK, resisted the urge. Well, about everything except the dark rooms. which are decked out in rich leather and velvet furnishings, with hardwood floors and original wood beams. There’s no denying that the rooms at these two 17th-century canalside merchant houses are atmospheric and sultry. But they’re also undeniably modern, with star Dutch designer Marcel Wanders’ avant-garde artwork adorning walls and clean-lined furniture straight out of a gallery. The Great Room and its adjoining bar—a winding collection of rooms of low tables where guests gather for drinks and board games at all hours—are mildly more traditional in their inflection, with Dutch Golden Age paintings and gilded chandeliers. The real star, though, is the hotel’s garden, a surprising rarity in so green a city. Central Amsterdam is just outside the front door, but no one would blame you for whiling away the hours out here, lounging in the modern black patio furniture under the shade of a maple tree."

"It somehow seems appropriate that one of quirky, art-loving Amsterdam ’s coolest hotels would be sandwiched between terminals and runways. This sleek airport hotel from the stylish, budget-friendly citizenM chain (it also has an outpost in the city center) is made for the modern traveler. citizenM Schiphol offers 24-hour check-in, with self-service terminals and friendly ambassadors available to help with anything you need. The library-like lounge and canteenM cocktail bar and restaurant are also open at all hours, so there’s a place to lounge and snack even after a delayed flight. Rooms are compact but hip and comfortable, with oversized square king-sized beds, free movies, and signature designer toiletries in space-age-inspired walk-in rainfall showers. Best of all, though, is that the airport is just outside the front door. Traffic will never be an excuse for a missed flight."

"The College Hotel is a grandiose Dutch Neo-Renaissance building with soaring arches and ceilings, a sunny courtyard filled with olive trees, and dramatic modern interiors in rich velvet, crystal chandeliers, and dark woods. Amsterdam ’s beautiful and artsy flock to its trendy bar, a warmly lit affair with open fireplaces and overstuffed sofas, and its modern Dutch restaurant is one of the coolest in the city. Surely, this must be one of the Dutch capital’s most expensive hotels, reserved only for the rich and famous, right? Wrong. Housed in a 19th-century school, The College Hotel employs and trains students in the luxury hospitality industry, which means that its rates are surprisingly affordable for a hotel of its caliber. The young staff are all friendly and helpful, although service is not always as smooth as it might be at a place with a more experienced team. But that’s a small price to pay for a stay this cool and ideally located, just down the street from the Museumplein in the fashionable Zuid neighborhood."

"Conservatorium has a fascinating past. It started as a bank and then became a music academy before renowned Italian designer Piero Lissoni transformed it into a hotel in 2012. The building itself harmoniously blends old and new, with modern steel beams and glass walls complementing original brickwork and wooden beams. The hotel houses one of the city’s largest and most decadent spas—a subterranean temple to holistic wellness, with its own hammam, Watsu pool, lap pool, and more. Its restaurants and bars are also among the trendiest and most highly acclaimed in the city. Upon arrival, each guest is assigned a personal host to offer recommendations, reservations, and historical tidbits."

"The imposing De L’Europe—one of Amsterdam’s original luxury hotels, a holdover from the late 19th century’s age of Grand Tours and neoclassical architecture—has been thoughtfully restored in keeping with its opulent history and The Netherlands’ artistic tradition. The hotel,a red-and-white brick landmark crowning the intersection of the Amstel River and several canals, bridges old and new visions of luxury. Its extensive art collection, consisting of both originals and copies of Dutch Masters, is curated in conjunction with the Rijksmuseum; many pieces were in the collection of Dutch brewing magnate Alfred “Freddy” Heineken, whose family owns the hotel. The museum-caliber artwork can be found not only throughout the see-and-be-seen common areas but also in many of the rooms, especially those in the gallery-like addition, known as the Dutch Masters Wing. The 48 rooms and 63 suites have decadent touches, including Carrara marble bathrooms with heated floors, personal iPads, and Coco-Mat beds. But De L’Europe’s crowning attraction may actually be outside: A wraparound terrace offers waterfront dining overlooking the historic city, and many of the best rooms have private balconies with views of the rooftops. When hunger strikes, guests can head to the Michelin-starred Restaurant Bord’Eau or Bib Gourmand winner Marie, then grab a nightcap in the luxurious lobby lounge. For rest and relaxation, the hotel also features a spa with bespoke treatments, an infrared sauna, and a Turkish steam bath."

"The Dylan Amsterdam Situated canalside in the heart of Amsterdam , The Dylan is a 40-room boutique property that feels more like the flawlessly designed home of a jet-setting friend. On the outside, it evokes the Dutch Golden Age, but the interior takes on a swank, modern bent with splashy art, cool mirrors, and sculptural furniture. The public spaces nail it on all counts: The check-in desk is calm, the terrace garden is lovely on sunny days, and the lounge is warm and welcoming. Instead of the sometimes stuffy high tea ritual, there is daily high wine service, where a voguish crowd enjoys a selection of wine and nibbles on tapas-style bites. Vinkeles, the signature French restaurant, is Michelin-starred but has a relaxed design anchored by elements of the bakery that once inhabited the space—like 18th-century bricks, ovens, and wood floors. The Serendipity Collection is a collection of 16 rooms and suites redesigned by Dutch designer Remy Meijers. They have a sleeker, more neutral palette, compared to the eclectic style of the original rooms. The quirky and historic details throughout the hotel make The Dylan feel very specific to easygoing Amsterdam. By Annie Fitzsimmons"

"The Hotel de Hallen,which occupies part of a repurposed tram depot complex in the now-trendy Amsterdam Oud-West neighborhood, has a prime location with supercool neighbors, including a food market, art-house cinema, and library. The hotel’s industrial-midcentury style understatedly fills a space that could quickly feel cavernous, the long halls that once housed streetcars acting as living rooms between interior hallways. The walls are decorated with a modern art collection, turning rooms into mini-museums—although the Museumplein, with its world-renowned outposts of art, is just a 15-minute tram ride away. The French-inspired Remise47 restaurant, with its large glass doors opening onto an expansive garden terrace, attracts a lively crowd of hip locals and guests at all hours."

"One could argue that the Pulitzer Amsterdam isn’t actually one hotel. Before 1960, each of its 25 buildings was an individual, 17th- or 18th-century merchant canal house. Painstaking renovations over the years have guaranteed that each room feels distinct, maintaining original architectural details from each house, such as arched windows, exposed beams, and friezes. And, from the outside, each house still looks separate, so that the glamorous, art-filled hotel blends right into its surroundings, seeming to be just another of the neighborhood’s picturesque historic buildings. The recently restored hotel has entrances on and views over two of the city’s main canals—Prinsengracht and Keizersgracht—with a tranquil garden in the middle. The 225 guest rooms blend traditional and modern Dutch craftsmanship and service, while the authentic restaurant and bar showcase local flavors. Located in the heart of Amsterdam’s historic city center, the hotel is within easy reach of the Rijksmuseum, Stedelijk Museum, Van Gogh Museum, and the Anne Frank House. It’s alsoa quick walk, bike, or boat ride to the fashionable Nine Streets, the quaint shops of Jordaan, the flower market, and the Royal Palace."

"For its much-anticipated first outpost outside London , the hip Hoxton boutique hotel brand—named for the trendy hipster neighborhood of its first hotel—chose five 17th- and 18th-century townhouses (including a former mayoral residence) on the canals of the Dutch capital. The brand has a formula that works, but rather than impose its signature style on another city—colonial-style, if you will—the designers have done it the other way around, imposing the buildings’ architectural styles and the city’s aesthetic on the brand. Original parquet floors, beamed ceilings, and wood paneling infuse the midcentury leather furnishings, geometric mirrors, and creatively patterned subway-tiled bathrooms with a Dutch feel, while the turquoise of the canal outside is reflected in the paint. Two rooms have original ceiling frescoes, and five have (non-working) fireplaces. In the ways that count, The Hoxton is true to its brand, such as bespoke toiletries, a scenester restaurant, a trendy bar, and its signature daily breakfast bag with a banana, granola, and orange juice."

"An Old World grande dame of the 19th-century tradition, the InterContinental Amstel Amsterdam presides over the Amstel River from its waterfront perch at the eastern edge of the original city. An imposing example of a Dutch take on French Renaissance Revival architecture of the period, the hotel—known initially as the Amstel Hotel—was conceived of by well-to-do Amsterdam doctor Samuel Sarphati to attract wealthy Grand Tour–goers to the struggling city. Since then, dignitaries from Queen Elizabeth II to former President Bill Clinton, and celebrities from Audrey Hepburn to George Clooney, have entered the imposing lobby—with its grand staircase, marble columns, and gilded chandeliers—and taken up residence in its opulent suites. While in its latest iteration the hotel has updated itself in all the right ways, it still offers each guest the superlative but understated service that such royals (of both state and silver screen) would expect, down to the private butler service that comes with each room. The current French-inspired decor channels the building’s original architecture and includes romantic hand-drawn wallpaper in bedrooms. The unfussy, seasonal cuisine and craft cocktails in the restaurants and bars infuse the traditional space with modern sensibilities. Even the health club has its feet in both past and present: The thoroughly modern facilities were inspired by one of the forefathers of physiotherapy, who took up residence in the hotel and treated such distinguished clients as Empress Elisabeth of Austria there."

"The thing about a country as small as the Netherlands is that you don’t have to go far to feel like you’ve gone very far indeed. Hidden away in a 17th-century house in the seaside village of Monnickendam, Posthoorn lures guests with romantic, antique-filled suites and rooms, as well as a Michelin-starred restaurant. While the restaurant’s French-inflected cuisine is a destination in and of itself, the refined-farmhouse-style rooms provide a reason to linger longer in a haven where old Dutch living seems to have been preserved. Each of the 12 rooms has been individually decorated with antique finds, whimsical wallpaper, and original 17th- and 18th-century prints and paintings native to the Waterland surroundings. A three-course breakfast from the restaurant’s vaunted kitchen is included in all stays; because of the inn’s personalized nature, you could order breakfast to your room, but why miss out on a chance to sip coffee and nibble pastries in the garden? When you do finally venture out into the world—into a landscape whose beauty has been immortalized in countless artworks—the helpful staff can point you in the direction of all those local finds you wouldn’t know to look for.The hotel is doing more than a few things right."

"Before it became a nine-room guesthouse, Seven One Seven was a Dutch fashion designer’s private Amsterdam pied-à-terre, a lovingly restored canal house where friends gathered for long weekends. And long before that, it was a 17th-century home occupied by a sugar trader, who added the 19th-century front house, right on the canal, to better display his wealth. When the current owners bought it in 1997, they had the fashion designer leave every little piece of the refined, spice trade–inspired aesthetic he’d cultivated for the building, from the Hague School paintings and tweed sofas to the brass bed frames and African pottery. So, when you stay at this hideaway in the heart of the city, it still feels quite like you’ve just wandered into the home of a well-to-do friend with excellent taste. The library-like living rooms, with their wingback chairs and fireplaces, are just the places to curl up à deux or to let the welcoming proprietors ply you with wine and cookies. The quiet back garden is just the respite needed from the busy city outside."

"Who is Sir Albert? This issue might perplex the uninitiated because the hotel and its staff insist that the mysterious aristocrat transformed his private mansion into a collection of sleek and fashionable pieds-à-terre for the international cognoscenti who come to Amsterdam . In reality, the 19th-century red-brick building was once a diamond factory, built to be so sturdy that the trams wouldn’t shake it, and, while that rich history is reflected in some of the angular and clean-lined decor, it’s more fun to imagine that a wealthy eccentric has designed the stylish and spacious rooms and left you in the hands of a staff used to realizing whims before they’re even imagined. The rooms themselves are indulgent in a minimalist way, with dashes of both Japanese modernism and midcentury Scandinavian design in the black wooden floors, oversized white soaking tubs, and all the latest technology; clearly, Sir Albert is well traveled. He also must have a taste for authentic Japanese cuisine, considering the house restaurant is inspired by traditional Japanese pubs and attracts discerning foodies and hip young locals alike. He clearly travels in trendy circles, considering his house’s location in lively De Pijp; his appreciation for art, too, is evident in the proximity to the Museumplein."

"Originally a 15th-century convent, followed by stints as the headquarters of the Dutch Admiralty andAmsterdam’s town hall, the Sofitel Legend The Grand Amsterdam—or simply, The Grand—presides over the heart of the old city. With its imposing brick facade flanked by canals and its location within a stone’s throw of Dam Square and De Oude Kerk, The Grand would be a legend even without Sofitel’s designation. The majestic entrance courtyard hasn’t changed since its construction in the 17th century—a fact that’s reinforced by the hotel’s horse-drawn carriage, which offers guests a different way to explore the city center—and even before the building became a hotel, landmark figures in European history stayed on site, including William of Orange. While today’s interiors are starkly modern, the designers alluded to the hotel’s storied past in the decor and textiles featured in the 177 rooms and suites, which overlook either the interior courtyard and gardens or the canals, and come with touches like rainshowers and signature MyBed mattresses. The private Canal House Suites—especially popular with the dignitaries and celebrities who frequent the hotel—may appear boldly contemporary, but accents like round windows and wood-beamed ceilings hint at their past as the private homes of Dutch admirals. The hotel’s five dining options include the Michelin-starred Bridges restaurant—set in what was once the town hall’s canteen—as well as the casual, all-day Bridges Bistro, traditional Flying Dutchman café, sophisticated Library D’Or lobby lounge, and peaceful Garden Terrace. The two-floor SO Spa houses a gym, heated indoor pool, wet area with Turkish hammam, and treatment rooms for French-inspired services."

"When the Waldorf Astoria opened its Amsterdam outpost in 2014, the iconic brand took six 17th- and 18th-century canal houses—two of which used to be official residences for the mayor, and at least three of which have architectural details by iconic artists—and transformed them into a distinctively Dutch version of world-class luxury. Located in the heart of the historic city, on the picturesque Herengracht canal, the color palette that runs throughout the four eateries (one of which received two Michelin stars within seven months of opening) and the 93 refined rooms were lifted straight from Vermeer’s famous Girl With the Pearl Earring painting. Soothing shades of lapis lazuli and ochre harmoniously complement the views through the large, white-framed windows, whether of the canal or the lush interior garden. The Waldorf also brought the brand’s signature superlative service and decadent spa, guaranteeing that the Amsterdam iteration would be just as beloved by the international elite as the original New York hotel."