The Luxury Travel Magazine
The Luxury Travel Magazine
Amsterdam is hardly Europe’s shy little wallflower. The city has a reputation for the happening and enough culture to ensnare many passing tourists. Aside from museums, galleries, and theatre, Amsterdam is a scenic spot to explore on foot or by bike. Zigzagging the network of canal bridges sandwiched between Dutch terraces is almost magical. Of course, Amsterdam has a reputation for liberal partying and indulgence. However, the city also caters graciously to a luxury-seeking crowd.
The adored capital of The Netherlands, location-wise, Amsterdam is a highly convenient European break. UK travellers can take a 70-minute flight from London or an overnight ferry. The Netherlands also shares borders with Belgium and Germany – making Amsterdam an easy road trip from many European countries. Even for those travelling from further afield, Schiphol Airport is one of the largest airports, flying directly between 316 destinations.
While it may be a powerhouse nowadays, Amsterdam’s origins came from much humbler beginnings. The city was originally a fishing village, with records from the 12th century suggesting it was constructed around a dam in the Amstel River. Over the centuries, Amsterdam came under British, French, and German control, split with periods of independence. These invasions have shaped the history of Amsterdam today, especially with the 20th-century impacts of WW2.
However, from a complex past and humble beginnings, Amsterdam has blossomed into a fantastic European travel destination. Here’s our guide to help you plan your trip.
Whether you want a cappuccino, light snack, or a sleek cocktail, there is no better match than panoramic cityscape views of Amsterdam.
The Sky Lounge is a formal, contemporary rooftop venue offering both hospitality and a city viewpoint. Guest can choose to sit at extravagant white-clothed tables for a traditional dining experience, perhaps sampling dishes like the steak tartare or prime rib. Alternatively, you can head outside to sit on the terrace, enjoying the fresh air and views with a cocktail in hand.
Seeing a city from the sky is a great way to start your itinerary, often inspiring you to get your travel mode fully into gear. Coinciding your trip with sunset, or sunrise in winter, is also sure to maximise your experience and treat you to some memorable views.
Regardless of whether you are an art enthusiast or not, Van Gogh is a national treasure in The Netherlands. And because of this, the Van Gogh Museum naturally ranks highly on our list of things to do in Amsterdam. You wouldn’t leave Paris without seeing the Mona Lisa, so don’t leave Amsterdam without seeing Van Gogh’s famous self-portraits or Sunflowers.
The Van Gogh Museum is only half an hour from the city centre by foot or public transport. We’d recommend purchasing tickets online in advance, which can be simply organised via the museum’s website. The museum has an in-house café, Le Tambourin, so you can indulge in a slow morning musing over Van Gogh’s work before grabbing refreshments.
Theatre is a luxury regardless of location, but The International Theatre Amsterdam’s prestige makes this experience even more exciting.
The theatre building has a long but sad history, being twice burned to the ground over the last few centuries. These damages mean that while the original structure dates back to 1638, the venue that visitors see today was only constructed in 2009. Luckily no expense was spared, and you’ll enjoy a traditional, luxurious theatre interior while you become engrossed in the performance.
Those interested in attending a performance should browse the upcoming performances on The International Theatre Amsterdam website. While you can purchase last-minute tickets at the Office Box, we’d recommend booking online to guarantee availability.
Including a canal cruise on our list may seem like stating the obvious, but it is a popular Amsterdam activity for a reason. Amsterdam’s centre sits on a network of canals, so a canal cruise is an extra scenic way to tour the city and save your legs.
To indulge in the ultimate luxury canal cruise, we suggest Amsterdam Boat’s Luxury Dinner Cruise. The three-hour experience includes a three-course fine dining meal and complimentary aperitif. The saloon-style barge takes diners through the centre of Amsterdam, providing an epicurean meets sightseeing experience from the warmth of the boat’s covered interior.
Anne Frank’s House is another classic addition to our list of things to do in Amsterdam. Anne Frank’s legacy rivals even that of Van Gogh, and she became a face of martyrdom and innocence in the aftermath of WW2.
The ‘Secret Annex’ where the Frank’s and their companions hid was once part of an office building in central Amsterdam. However, the annex is now preserved in the Anne Frank’s Museum, which stands instead of the original office building. Visitors can make their way through the museum and its chronologically paced exhibitions, aided by a complimentary audio guide.
The experience is harrowing yet highly impactful. The preservation of details, including Otto’s original etchings of Margot and Anne’s heights on the annex wall, creates an otherwise unattainable level of immersion.
The Waldorf Astoria Amsterdam is exactly how you imagine a canal-side luxury hotel. The property offers a balance of Michelin-starred restaurants, a fitness suite, Guerlain Spa, and the Peacock Alley cocktail bar – fulfilling every requirement you might request.
The Waldorf Astoria has a luxury range of room types, offering a mixture of balcony, canal view, and private garden upgrades. The property also features eight suite types for guests to consider. Light, spacious, and airy, all suites come with indulgent details like chandelier lighting or walk-in wardrobes.
Address: Herengracht 542-556, 1017 CG Amsterdam,
Netherlands
Amsterdam may tick many boxes, but nobody should reject a taste of an Indonesian aesthetic. The Hotel Jakarta Amsterdam is most known for its spectacular indoor garden, featuring palm trees of up to ten metres high and plenty of Indonesian flora. The garden creates a tropical oasis and perfect indoor-yet-natural escape from Europe’s colder months.
Aside from its indoor green spaces, the Hotel Jakarta has a tempting number of room types. Guests can choose between balconies, waterfront views, and even the WOW suite. This suite is the most exclusive in the property, featuring 180-degree floor-to-ceiling views over Amsterdam from a 7th-floor vantage point. The WOW suite also features a balcony, rain shower, and king-sized bed.
Website: https://hoteljakarta.com/
Address: Javakade 766, 1019 SH Amsterdam, Netherlands
Location, location, location is a valid phrase when considering accommodation in Amsterdam. But look no further for centrality, as Hotel TwentySeven ticks this box. The hotel is situated in Dam Square, overlooking the Royal Palace, and offering doorstep access to leading attractions such as Madame Tussauds.
Guests of Hotel TwentySeven can also enjoy the luxurious convenience of the Michelin-starred in-house Restaurant Bougainville. The restaurant prides itself on providing fine dining tasting experiences, with a wine list’ hand-picked by wine director Lendl Mijnhijmer’ – winner of the McNie Tasting Trophy.
Hotel TwentySeven has a quality selection of suites to choose from, all featuring two-person jacuzzies, handmade oak flooring, and natural stone bathrooms with rain showers.
Website: https://www.hoteltwentyseven.com/en/?utm_source=GoogleBusiness&utm_campaign=source_directsearch
Address: Dam 27, 1012 JS Amsterdam, Netherland
On the 23rd floor of the Hotel Okura Amsterdam, Ciel Bleu offers views and culinary prestige in abundance. The restaurant holds two Michelin stars and is well-established in its focus on international cuisine.
Ciel Bleu’s menu is reflective of its international focus, listing its Aperitif dishes under the cities they draw inspiration from, including Bangkok, Paris, Amsterdam, and Vienna. For lunch, guests can sample delicious combinations like King Crab with baeri caviar and beurre blanc ice cream. Or, perhaps, the Japanese Wagyu, with umeboshi and sansho pepper.
Website: https://www.cielbleu.nl/
Address: Hotel Okura, Ferdinand Bolstraat 333, 1072, Amsterdam, Netherlands
For an alternative, ultra-organic-focused fine dining experience, De Kas is an excellent option in Amsterdam. The restaurant works on the motto ‘Harvested in the morning, on your plate in the afternoon’.
De Kas hosts guests in an entirely glass, greenhouse-style venue, surrounded by the gardens and functional greenhouses used to grow its produce. The restaurant’s design aims to produce organic food and minimise transportation of produce – harvesting produce based on instant demand to create the freshest dishes possible.
De Kas offers a three and four-course tasting menu at lunch and a five and six-course tasting menu at dinner. The dishes on each menu are seasonally based and set on a rotation, meaning you can expect variations depending on when you visit.
Website: https://restaurantdekas.com/eng/garden
Address: Kamerlingh Onneslaan 3, 1097, Amsterdam, Netherlands
If an ornate cream and gold-trim interior sounds appealing, the ‘oldest restaurant in Amsterdam’ should be the dining spot for you. The White Room is a classy, extravagant venue to indulge in a fine dining experience. And, located in Dam Square, the restaurant is accessible enough to add to a day of city sightseeing easily.
The White Room provides plenty of awe-factor, from its dramatic interior columns to crystal chandeliers. Its menus are equally impressive, and the restaurant provides flexibility with both tasting menus and an a la carte menu for guests to pick.
On the a la carte, the roe deer with kabocha pumpkin, black pudding, and pomegranate particularly stands out. While on the ‘Impression’ tasting menu, you don’t have to face the decision as you sample the roe deer, cod, beetroot, and kingfish dishes.
Website: https://www.restaurantthewhiteroom.com/en/
Address: Dam 9, 1012, JS Amsterdam, Netherlands
It’s fair to say that Amsterdam offers far more luxury than its party reputation may lead some to believe. The city effortlessly blends culture, history, and hospitality to create a fantastic luxury destination. Whether you have a weekend or week, Amsterdam has the gracious infrastructure to keep you well catered for throughout.
