Hotels in Amsterdam: reinventing the past, shaping the future

Reported by Cécile Balavoine. Photos by Ludovic Maisant.

The breeze caresses the banks of the Amstel, a gentle ray warming the faces. A boat passes by, passengers admiring its terrace on the water: that of the Hôtel de L'Europe. A small farmhouse in the Middle Ages, it became an inn during the Renaissance, and since 1896 has been one of Amsterdam's landmarks. And even more so since its renovation a few years ago, and the reuniting of the three old houses behind a single red and white façade, embellished with turrets.

The 111 rooms and suites, owned by the Heineken family - there's a keg of cold beer in every room - showcase restrained splendour and elegance in Delft blues and brick reds, inspired by the Flemish masters. The 148 employees come from 42 countries, a fine illustration of the open-mindedness and multicultural character of the Netherlands. In addition to its refinement and strategic position in the heart of Amsterdam, opposite the flower market, the sharp sense of service is what makes the splendour of this Leading Hotels of the World affiliate.

This is also true of the Okura, the only hotel of this name outside the Japanese peninsula. Since 1971, this establishment has been housed in a 23-storey tower overlooking the city. 300 rooms with a pure spiritThe Conservatorium is a Japanese-style hotel with extraordinary views. The third member of the very select Leading Hotels circle, the Conservatorium is design-oriented and above all very musical, as it is located in a former conservatory. Hence its name.

Chain openings

Aside from these venerable establishments, what really sets Amsterdam's hotel scene apart is the pace at which new hotels are opening, with an average of ten new arrivals every year, not counting renovations. In other words, there's a plethora to choose from.

One of the most recent 'makeovers' is the Arena, housed in a former orphanage dating from 1890, itself located in the beautiful Ooster Park. Deliberately left in its original state, a magnificent chapel has been transformed into a two-storey event space, one of which is directly beneath the painted vault. Renovated in a design spirit, with a hint of vintage, With large white light fittings, immaculate walls and many glazed walls to let in the daylight and take advantage of the greenery outside, this 139-room hotel has added an extra wing dedicated to meeting rooms. The whole complex is therefore multi-functional: here you can dine, dance, sleep and make friends...

Ingenious concepts

More out of the way, but characteristic of the expansion of Amsterdam, a city whose limits are constantly being pushed back, the Element hotel opened in 2016 above the largest shopping centre in the new Zuidas business district. What makes it special is that each of the 160 rooms is equipped with a small kitchen for extended-stay travellers who work at Google, ING or other IBM companies based in this recent business district. business & financial district.

Revolutionising the long-stay hotel industry: Amsterdam saw the emergence of an ingenious concept in 2016, Zoku Hotel. Mezzanine bed, retractable staircase, hidden storage: by making the most of the space in the room, travellers end up with a real living area of 24 m2. But the hotel is also committed to promoting social life for its guests. meeting the expectations of creative entrepreneurs with a bar, restaurant and coworking spaces.

The company's founder, Hans Meyer, is no novice, having been involved in the early days of the Citizen M, a pioneering brand in contemporary hotels at an affordable price with its ultra-design public areas and small but efficient rooms with king-size beds and high-tech equipment. Recently launched in Paris, La Défense and the Gare de Lyon, this Amsterdam-born brand illustrates a sense of innovation that is evident in the economy, even beyond the hotel door. The city is also the birthplace of Yotel and its capsules where you can sleep between two planes, Qbic and its Rubik's Cube rooms where bed, desk and shower are nested, the Student Hotels halfway between a student residence and a budget hotel or, in a much more upmarket and design style, the Sir Hotels.

Equally innovative, the Arcade Hotel is a facility dedicated to gamersFor video game fans, each room is equipped with flat screens, headphones and retro and contemporary games consoles, from Xbox to Nintendo 64 and Playstation.

Hip and whimsical, but no less elegant, the recently opened Ink Hotel, a member of MGallery by Sofitel, is housed in the premises of a former newspaper and is full of allusions to its past. Giant block letters decorate the walls of this 149-room hotel with a playful spirit. The establishment will appeal to customers looking for originalityThere are also a number of technological advantages, such as touch-sensitive phone chargers embedded in restaurant and bar tables. Just put your phone down... and off you go.

But Holland is also a land of tradition. A veritable Eden set along a canal, the sumptuous Waldorf Astoria brings together six 17th-century palaces. A monumental wooden staircase leads to corridors adorned with coats of arms, ceilings painted with cherubs and mouldings. Among the latest fine addresses, the Hyatt Regency, opened in 2017, is a must. This 211-room urban oasis is, as it should be here, both beautiful and inventive.