Why book?
With its central location and canal house charm, it’s no wonder this has been a Hot List, Gold List, and multi-year Readers’ Choice Award winner.
Set the scene
Clubs and restaurants spill out onto Rembrandtplein, with hotels crowding the square. The Waldorf Astoria is located a street away, making it easy to get late night eats or hop on the tram, without the noise, lights, and crowds that come with living in this pocket of the city. The 6 canal houses that make up the hotel feature rooms that range in size from 28 square meters to 123 square meters. Hotel guests are a mix of families and business guests. The unofficial dress code veers preppy—think Ralph Lauren and quarter zips—though it’s the kind of space that encourages dressing and feeling at home.
The backstory
The canal houses were stitched together to create the Waldorf Astoria when it first opened in 2014. The individual homes each have their own story, which are told in short via silver plaques inside the building’s corridors. For example, check-in takes place in the Hooft home, built by Cornelis Hooft, who also happened to be the mayor of Amsterdam. Each of the six buildings was built between 1600 and 1700 and some of the original design details have endured—like the grand staircase in the lobby and the Maurer Room, a meeting room that features original 18th-century wall paintings.
The rooms
With its heritage bones, each of the 93 rooms are unique. The Van Loon suite is the hotel’s most covetable room, with private access to the spa, in addition to its separate living room and amenities like a coffee machine and bar. All the rooms have character, with their marble fireplaces, high ceilings, and lush fabrics. Turndown service includes spraying one of four Cire Trudon scents, which guests pick on check-in. Options range from floral Josephine to tobacco-forward Ernesto, and it’s a welcome surprise to come back to a room that’s been spritzed with the chosen scent. The bathrooms are large and most feature bathtubs, with toiletries by Aesop.
Food and drink
The restaurant to book is Spectrum, the two Michelin-starred eatery by chef Sidney Schutte. Dishes use local produce but combine them with Asian ingredients for a light meal that’s bursting with flavors. Combinations are inventive with one dish pairing langoustine with cacao and lion’s mane mushroom and another bringing together lamb with cockles. Peacock Alley is a more casual setting and serves up an afternoon tea experience that’s become a city favorite (think Champagne, scones, pastries, and more). Rounding out the options is the Vault Bar, located in the Hooft’s former vault, where cocktails are the focus.
The spa
Situated below ground, the Guerlain Spa is a quiet, hushed oasis that showcases the luxury perfume maker’s skincare and spritz offerings. I had the Imperial Massage in one of the three treatment rooms and enjoyed the reset after days of exploring the city on foot. My muscles felt looser and my body more at ease after the 90-minute treatment, which consists of a massage that goes from feet up to the face and includes a facial. Guests are also encouraged to use the steam and sauna, though it’s the indoor pool which seems to be a favorite.
The neighborhood/area
The hotel is centrally located, whether it be the nightlife and touristy heart of Rembrandtplien, or the tourist favorites like the Rijksmuseum and Van Gogh Museum, which are a 10-minute walk away. Around the corner is Boerjongens, a “coffee shop” with space cakes and staff in top hats to dispense your cannabis needs. Foam, a photography museum, is a five-minute walk away. If the weather is nice, spend time in the hotel’s impeccably manicured garden—one of the largest in the city. Use the complimentary bike hire to explore the neighborhood and tourist spots further afield.
The service
Service is polite and extremely friendly. Everyone from the doormen to the concierge want to ensure you have an enjoyable stay and are eager to share suggestions and solutions. On an overcast day, I was offered an umbrella to take with me as I left for the city, and train and public transport details are often printed so that guests can be sure of where they have to be and at what time.
Accessibility
The hotel has a wheelchair accessible entrance and accessible rooms.
Herengracht 542-556, Amsterdam, 1017 CG
The Netherlands
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