Amsterdam
GETTING THERE
THALYS provides up to 11 daily connections between Paris Gare du Nord and Amsterdam Centraal, in just 3 hours 17 minutes. Since December, Thalys has introduced a new offer based on three, rather than two, fare categories. The Standard ticket is equivalent to a journey in Comfort 2 second class, while the Comfort offer represents a journey in a 1era Comfort 1 class, but without services. The last category, Premium, adds to the high standard of a Comfort 1 trip a number of extras such as access to lounges, on-site catering, print and digital press and taxi reservations on arrival, as well as total ticket flexibility. During the week, two cars are dedicated to Premium passengers and one to Comfort passengers. While WiFi is free for all passengers, Premium passengers benefit from an increased capacity of 500 MB, compared with 100 MB for other coaches.
Tel.: 08 25 84 25 97 (€0.30/min.) - Internet : www.thalys.com
AIR FRANCE and KLM share the Paris CDG-Amsterdam Schiphol route, offering no fewer than 12 daily flights between their two main hubs. Transavia, the low-cost subsidiary of the Air France-KLM group, operates four flights a week between the two cities.
Internet: www.airfrance.com - www.klm.com - www.transavia.com
Hotels
KIMPTON DE WITT
Opened in spring 2017, the Kimpton De Witt is a blend of turn-of-the-century buildings and those from the Dutch Golden Age. The 274 guest rooms feature the best of Dutch design, both past and present, including Delft blue bathrooms. The nine signature suites are housed in the old part of the hotel, as is the three-storey, two-bedroom 'little house' in what was the childhood home of the 17th-century poet P. C. Hooft.e century. Located not far from Central Station, it's a great place to stop off for business travellers in search of new addresses.
Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal 5 - Phone : +31 (0)20 620 05 00 - Email : amsnl.reservations@kimptondewitthotel.com - Internet: www.kimptonhotels.com
GRAND HOTEL AMRÂTH
Formerly the headquarters of a shipping company, this Art Nouveau building from the Amsterdam School, built in 1916, became a hotel barely a decade ago. Just a stone's throw from Central Station, this Worldhotels affiliate offers 165 rooms. The minibar, with champagne in the suites, is 100 % free of charge. As you can see, the art of detailing here reaches perfection. For an extra 20 euros, you can even get a room with a canal view.
Prins Hendrikkade 108 - Tel: + 31 (0)20 5520 000 -
Email : info@amrathamsterdam.com - Internet : www.amrathamsterdam.com
W AMSTERDAM
Since 2015, the W Amsterdam has been bringing a breath of extravagance to Amsterdam's hotel scene. Its 238 rooms, housed in a former telephone exchange facing the Royal Palace, are fitted with light-absorbing bay windows. Golden decorative touches invite the sun to illuminate the premises. An original feature in this cloudy land is the outdoor swimming pool on the roof terrace.
Spuistraat 175 - Tel: +31 (0)20 811 25 00 - Internet: www.wamsterdam.com
INTERCONTINENTAL AMSTEL AMSTERDAM
Its noble façade, unveiled in 1867 and listed in the national register, hints at the panache of this hotel. For business travellers, the executive club offers a studious atmosphere. Business meetings at La Rive or Amstel Terraces, on the banks of the canal, are a must. The hotel offers a total of 55 rooms and 24 suites.
Professor Tulpplein 1 - Tel : +31 (0)20 622 60 60 - Email : amstel@ihg.com - Internet : www.amsterdam.intercontinental.com
DOUBLETREE BY HILTON CENTRAAL STATION
Built on stilts as an extension of Central Station, this beautiful business hotel has become an icon. And the reason? Its extraordinary roof terrace overlooking the old town. On the practical side, there are 553 rooms and huge meeting rooms.
Oosterdoksstraat 4 - Phone : +31 (0)20 530 0800 - Email : amscs.info@hilton.com - Internet: www.hiltonhotels.com
Other major business hotels
HILTON AMSTERDAM
Apollolaan 138 - Phone : +31 (0)20 710 60 00 - Email : info.amsterdam@hilton.com - Internet: www.amsterdam.hilton.com
NH COLLECTION GRAND HOTEL KRASNAPOLSKY
Dam 9 - Phone : +31 20 554 91 11 - Email : nhcollectionkrasnapolsky@nh-hotels.com - Internet: www.nh-collection.com
PULITZER AMSTERDAM
Prinsengracht 323 - Phone : +31 (0)20 523 52 35 - Email : info@pulitzeramsterdam.com - Internet : www.pulitzeramsterdam.com
RENAISSANCE AMSTERDAM
Kattengat 1 - Phone : +31 (0)20 621 2223 - Email : renaissance.amsterdam@renaissancehotels.com - Internet : www.marriott.fr
Budget hotels
EASYHOTEL AMSTERDAM ZAANDAM
Located ten minutes from Central Station and just over a quarter of an hour from Schiphol Airport, this hotel opened in 2017 and is a good option. Housed in the Saento Tower, the 96 reasonably priced rooms offer lovely views.
Ankersmidplein 2 - Zaandam. - Tel: +31 (0) 64 679 48 78 - Internet: easyhotelbenelux.com
MOTEL ONE AMSTERDAM
Opened in August 2015, this three-star hotel with 320 designer rooms is located close to the RAI congress centre, in the Zuidas business district. In other words, it makes a perfect Amsterdam pied-à-terre.
Europaboulevard 23 - Tel: +31 (0)20 8 20 47 77 - Email : amsterdam@motel-one.com - Internet : www.motel-one.com
CITYDEN UP AMSTERDAM
Here's a new concept: 81 bright flats for short and long stays available since summer 2017 in different areas of Amsterdam, from Jordaan to Museum Square... Great options at reasonable prices.
Tel: +31 (0)20 30 80 295 - Email: info@cityden.com - Internet : cityden.com
IBIS AMSTERDAM CENTRE
As always, a safe bet for budget breaks.
Stationsplein 49 - Tel : + 31 (0)20 721 91 72 - Email : H1556@accor.com - Internet : www.ibishotel.com
Restaurants
PRESSROOM
In the bohemian-chic setting of the Ink hotel, a member of the MGallery by Sofitel, the Pressroom offers dishes that are as healthy as they are beautiful. There are sandwiches to nibble on the go, salads and succulent dishes decorated with flowers, as well as classics such as steak tartare and burgers. Ideal for a business lunch that's both delicious and efficient, Dutch-style.
Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal 67 - Phone : +31 (0)20 627 59 00 - Email : info@pressroom.amsterdam - Internet : www.sofitel.com
GORDAL
The restaurant at the Element hotel is a good choice for a quick and tasty lunch in the Zuidas district. The menu includes Iberian sausages and cheeses, which can be enjoyed either on the ground floor or, weather permitting, on the lovely terrace with its garden.
A.J. Ernststraat 577 - Tel: +31 (0)20 517 5300 - Internet :
www.elementamsterdamhotel.com
AS
Located in the former St Nicolaas chapel, built in 1962 by architect Lau Peters, this organic and locavore restaurant, whose menu changes with the seasons, seems shaped by nature. In fine weather, you can take advantage of the inner courtyard surrounded by wild grasses, trees, flowers and even raspberry bushes. The surrounding Beatrix Park provides a stunning backdrop, and the Zuidas business district, with its huge RAI conference centre, is just a stone's throw away.
Prinses Irenestraat 19 - Tel: +31 (0)20 644 0100 - Internet: www.restaurantas.nl
EYE RESTAURANT
The Cinema Museum restaurant, set on the water opposite Amsterdam's Centraal Station, may not be a gastronomic mecca, but it's the perfect place for a quick salad and coffee. The place, peaceful, bright and rocked by the waves, is definitely worth a visit.
IJpromenade 1 - Phone : +31 (0)20 589 1400 - Email : info@eyefilm.nl -
Internet : www.eyefilm.nl
BY IJ KANTINE
During a visit to the NDSM district and its rehabilitated docks located on an island in the throes of regeneration, you can have lunch in this long glass building, facing the water and the ferry landing stage. On the way to becoming the island's place to be, this unusual venue perfectly matches the atmosphere of this former naval warehouse district. International menu and a fine selection of seafood.
Mt. Ondinaweg 15-17 - Tel : +31 (0)20 633 7162 - Email : info@ijkantine.nl - Internet : www.ijkantine.nl
DE DRIE FLESCHJES
A café dating back to 1650, where you can enjoy gin, beer and wine, as well as sausages and cheese, standing at the counter in front of ancient barrels. A place that's worth its weight in gold, and highly recommended at the end of the day for an after-work drink with a local flavour.
Gravenstraat 18 - Phone : +31 (0)20 624 8443 - Email : drie.fleschjes@worldonline.nl - Internet : www.dedriefleschjes.nl
Utrecht
GETTING THERE
From Amsterdam Central Station, trains leave every ten to fifteen minutes and reach Utrecht in less than half an hour.
Internet : www.ns.nl
Hotels
GRAND HOTEL KAREL V
Housed in a former monastery dating from the XIVe Built in the 19th century and surrounded by gardens, the city's only five-star hotel exudes tranquillity. Although very central, behind its high white walls, the Karel V is away from the hustle and bustle of the lanes and canals attracting tourists. Superb meeting rooms under medieval vaults make it an ideal option for seminars. In all, the hotel offers 212 rooms in a style that's a tad too Empire, but which make for a majestic night's sleep. Also recommended for a business lunch.
Geertebolwerk 1 - Tel : +31 (0)30 2337 555 - Email : info@karelv.nl -
Internet : www.karelv.nl
MOTHER GOOSE
Situated in a small house in the heart of the old town, this goose-themed hotel - a feather welcomes travellers on its bedside table - has just 23 rooms, in an industrial style with bohemian chic accents. The place is so tiny that breakfasts are taken in the local café, which serves delicious organic muesli and has a lovely terrace in fine weather.
Ganzenmarkt 26 - Phone : +31 (0)30 303 6300 - Email : Welcome@MotherGooseHotel.com - Internet : www.mothergoosehotel.com
EYE HOTEL
Recently converted into a hotel, this beautiful red brick building was once an ophthalmology clinic in the 17th century... hence its name. 36 rooms decorated with pretty designer chandeliers and half vintage, half contemporary furniture.
Wijde Begijnestraat 1-3 - Tel : +31 (0)30 303 6 303 - Email : welcome@eyehotel.nl - Internet : www.eyehotel.nl
Other major business hotels
DOM HOTEL
Domstraat 4 - Phone : +31 (0)30 232 4242 - Email : info@hoteldom.nl - Internet: www.hoteldom.nl
NH UTRECHT
Jaarbeursplein, 24 - Phone : +31 (0)30 297 7977 - Email : nhutrecht@nh-hotels.com - Internet: www.nh-hotels.fr
NH CENTRE UTRECHT
Janskerkhof, 10 - Phone : +31 (0)30 231 3169 - Email : nhcentreutrecht@nh-hotels.com - Internet: www.nh-hotels.fr
Restaurants
FLORENT
Slightly removed from the hustle and bustle, in a beautiful contemporary setting, this restaurant which opened in 2014 offers eclectic cuisine, from babaganoush to tarte flambée, veal tongue to fresh foie gras. An ideal address for business meals.
Visscherplein 75 - Tel: +31 (0)30 233 3008 - Email : info@restaurant-florent.nl - Internet : restaurant-florent.nl
WINKEL VAN SINKEL
A veritable institution in Utrecht since 1834, this monumental yellow building faces the canal. People come here to see and be seen, and to tackle some fine cuts of meat.
Oudegracht 158 - Tel: +31 (0)30 230 3030 - Email : info@dewinkelvansinkel.nl - Internet : www.dewinkelvansinkel.nl
DE RODE VOSCH
This is Utrecht's 'Dutch-Australian' address. If business travellers have a hankering for kangaroos or ostriches, this is the place to come. For the rest, the atmosphere is soft and hushed.
Voorstraat 14 - Phone : +31 (0)30 670 1836 - Email : info@derodevosch.nl - Internet : www.derodevosch.nl
DOGMA
It's a little bobo kitchen where, in a fresh, bubbly atmosphere, you can eat delicious hot dogs on the go, seated at large tables d'hôte.
Voorstraat 17 - Email : fun@dogmahotdogs.nl - Internet : dogmahotdogs.com
PRACTICAL GUIDES
Amsterdam Cartoville, Gallimard (2017); Amsterdam, Encyclopédies du voyage, Gallimard (2017); Amsterdam and its environs, Guide du Routard, Hachette (2017); Amsterdam insolite et secrète, Editions Jonglez (2014).
PRACTICAL INFORMATION
DUTCH TOURIST BOARD > Internet: www.holland.com/fr; www.holland.com/global/meetings.htm (meetings)
OFFICIAL WEBSITE OF THE CITY OF AMSTERDAM > Internet : www.iamsterdam.com/fr/ ; www.iamsterdam.com/en/business/meetings (meetings)
OFFICIAL WEBSITE OF THE CITY OF UTRECHT > Internet: www.visit-utrecht.com ; www.utrechtconventionbureau.nl/en (meetings)
BUSINESS FRANCE IN THE NETHERLANDS > Stadionweg, 137 ;
Tel: +31 (0)20 794 19 60; Email: amsterdam@businessfrance.fr ;
Internet: www.businessfrance.fr/pays-bas
FRENCH CHAMBER OF COMMERCE OF THE NETHERLANDS > Hogehilweg 16 ;
Tel: +31 (0)20 562 82 00; Email: cfci@cfci.nl Internet : www.cfci.nl
