Sofitel Legend The Grand

The top 14 best luxury hotels in Amsterdam

16 March, 2024 in Blog by Dani

As a modern, cosmopolitan city, Amsterdam has no end of accommodation options for travellers and tourists alike. From cheap and cheerful hostels catering to the party brigade to all manner of quirky, unique Airbnb listings, there truly is something for everyone – and every budget. But where the city really shines is at the top end of the market, with a choice and range of top hotels in Amsterdam that belie its somewhat modest size. So whether you’re after grand opulence, an understated luxury hotel, or the amenities of a modern hotel, a 21st-century masterpiece, read on to discover the very best luxury hotels in Amsterdam. All hotels in this list are rated 4 stars or more, with the majority being 5-star hotels. To top off your exclusive Amsterdam experience, also make sure to check out our private boat tours in Amsterdam. As an alternative to an exclusive hotel, you can also consider booking a unique stay on a houseboat accommodation.

Since there are quite some top-class hotels in Amsterdam, we divided them up into the following sections;

  1. The 7 best classical hotels in Amsterdam
  2. The 7 best modern hotels in Amsterdam

The 7 best classical luxury hotels in Amsterdam

The style of a hotel is of great influence on the overall atmosphere and whether you feel at home as a guest. The following 7 hotels in Amsterdam will make you feel perfectly at home if you like a more classical styled hotel. They definitely belong on our list of best luxury hotels in Amsterdam.

Intercontinental amstel hotel

1. Intercontinental Amstel Hotel

Arguably the most famous iconic luxury hotel in Amsterdam is the Amstel Hotel, which is now part of the Intercontinental hotel group. This five-star hotel in Amsterdam is situated at a unique spot with a beautiful view over the Amstel River. The reflection of the building is shimmering in the water. Witness the view from the amazing terras along the river. On walking distance, the Koninklijk Theatre Carré, just as the many other museums in Amsterdam.
The marvellous, monumental building was opened in 1867 and ever since offers all the luxury one can wish for, including a Michelin-star restaurant. Their 79 rooms and suites belong to the biggest in Amsterdam.
Besides the unforgettable interior of the building, there are facilities as the health club. Where you can dive in a large swimming pool at the river height. The health club offers much more, all to balance your body and mind. A great catch if you are looking for a top hotel in Amsterdam.

Check out the Amstel Hotel on Booking.com >>

Grand Hotel Amrâth

2. Grand Hotel Amrâth

Grand by name, grand by nature. Set in a former shipping house in the heart of the city, this century-old hotel in Amsterdam is an Art Deco wonder and a perfect example of the famed Amsterdam School architecture. A beguiling mix of carved stone, marble, stained glass and wrought iron, its large windows and high ceilings lend the rooms an airy, regal air – particularly in the upgraded quarters, which boast four-poster beds and full-size bathtubs – while the service is in keeping with the somewhat quirky interiors; guests are treated to a “check-in massage”, free of charge. There is the obligatory spa and small gym – do check out the nine-metre pool compete with jetstream – alongside a decent restaurant and bar, but the extra facilities are not really the point here. Instead, simply marvel at this architectural delight amid its spacious, and perfectly preserved, luxury.

Check out Grand Hotel Amrâth on Booking.com >>

Hotel TwentySeven

3. Hotel TwentySeven

It may only be a minute away from the bustling Dam Square, but Hotel TwentySeven is another world entirely, a cocoon of discrete luxury and exquisite taste. “The most opulent sanctuary Amsterdam has to offer” claims their website, and they’re not wrong; sumptuous and elegant, the sole goal of proprietor Eric Toren is given guests a once in a lifetime experience. Woven carpets from Nepal, handmade Italian curtains, and velvet wallpaper from France give an idea of the attention to detail lavished on each room – there’s also a wine cabinet and a personalised butler service to cater to your every whim. And they’re not really rooms at all; the 16 suites are a soundproofed home away from home, the height of grand, deluxe perfection. Of course, there’s a Michelin-starred restaurant and world-class bar too, but the real star here is a hospitality concept that’s not just the best in Amsterdam or the Netherlands – it’s one of the best you’ll find anywhere on the planet. It is a perfect recipe for the best getaway in one of Amsterdam’s best hotels.

Check out Hotel TwentySeven on Booking.com >>

leurope hotel amsterdam

4. Hotel De L’Europe

One of Amsterdam’s original Grand Old Dames, De L’Europe has been the favoured luxury hotel for Amsterdam’s elites and world-famous celebrities since its inauguration in 1896. Overlooking the Amstel River on the edge of the city centre, the hotel has recently enjoyed a multi-million-euro makeover that marries the traditional – crystal chandeliers, copies of Old Master artworks, lashing of velvet and gold – with the modern – Coco-Mat beds, in-room iPads, Bose sound systems. You’ll find the city’s most authentic High Tea here, while Bord’Eau, the Michelin-starred restaurant, is a hip eatery in its own right. There’s also a cigar lounge and a delightful riverside terrace, not to mention Freddy’s bar – named after long-time regular Freddy Heineken – an iconic gentleman’s pub where the Bloody Marys are to die for. For modern luxury and impeccable history with a dash of old-school glamour, De L’Europe is the place to see and be seen.

Check out Hotel De L’Europe on Booking.com >>

Conservatorium Hotel Lounge

5. Conservatorium Hotel

Conservatorium: one of the luxury hotels in Amsterdam city centre. It’s not just the location of the Conservatorium – in the leafy, upmarket enclave of Museumplein – that oozes class and discrete wealth. From the landmark, heritage building itself to the graceful, contemporary design, everything about this five-star hotel in Amsterdam is as flawless as can be; unsurprisingly, it’s regularly been crowned the number-one luxury hotel in the Netherlands. The Art Nouveau interiors and spacious, light-filled rooms and suites from award-winning designer Piero Lissoni set new standards of refinement, and the service is, as you’d expect, world class. Some of Amsterdam’s top attractions, such as the Van Gogh Museum, Concertgebouw, and the Rijksmuseum, are just a few steps away, as is the city’s most exclusive shopping street. But with two wonderful restaurants, the classy Tunes Bar, and the 1000 sq. m Akasha Holistic Wellbeing spa to enjoy, you’d be forgiven for never wanting to leave the decadent environs of one of the best luxury hotels in Amsterdam.

Check out the Conservatorium Hotel on Booking.com >>

Hotel Pulitzer

6. Hotel Pulitzer

To stay at the Pulitzer is to experience the long and illustrious heritage of the city itself. Set within twenty-five restored 17th and 18th Century townhouses that once belonged to trade merchants and the Dutch aristocracy, this luxury hotel is Amsterdam’s oldest five-star establishment and renowned for its attention to detail and discreet, immaculate service. But this is no fusty, old world luxury; clean lines and muted colours are the order of the day, alongside zany design touches and pieces from the hotel’s extensive modern art collection on the walls. Rooms vary in size from the cosy to the palatial, and many have canal views of one of the prettiest stretches of water in the city, in the midst of the Nine Streets. The onsite restaurant, Jansz, is arguably the finest in the whole of Amsterdam, as is the Pulitzer Bar – a city institution. Oh, and do book a trip on the hotel’s own tour boat, a magnificent teak and brass saloon vessel that dates from 1909.

Check out Hotel Pulitzer on Booking.com >>

the toren amsterdam

7. The Toren

Of all the top-rated hotels in Amsterdam, The Toren remains one of the most unique. This small but exceptional luxury boutique residence is, like many others, spread over a couple of 17th Century townhouses (one dates back to 1618) in the central canal belt and offers a lush, quiet sanctuary from the modern world. Lashings of luscious fabrics, deep, rich colours, velvet wallpaper, chandeliers, and dark wood furniture and fittings lend The Toren a calming, old-world decadence. Exquisite period details courtesy of renowned interior designer Wim van de Oudeweetering add to sense of stepping back in time to a Golden Age of hoteliers. Rooms in this top hotel in Amsterdam are like an enveloping cocoon, and some of the larger ones and suites come with whirlpool baths and steam rooms. There’s no restaurant, but snacks are available, and it does have an extremely well-stocked bijou bar and spacious courtyard. But such is the level of comfort that you might never want to leave your (king size) bed, never mind the room.

Check out Hotel The Toren on Booking.com >>

The 7 best modern luxury hotels in Amsterdam

The style of a hotel is of great influence on the overall atmosphere and whether you feel at home as a guest. The following 7 hotels will make you feel perfectly at home if you like a more modern styled hotel. These hotels in Amsterdam definetely belong on our list of best luxury hotels in Amsterdam.

Waldorf Astoria Amsterdam

1. Waldorf Astoria

Since 1893, the name Waldorf-Astoria has been synonymous with the best in discrete, high-end hotels, and the Amsterdam outpost more than lives up to such a heady reputation. Housed across six magnificent canalside mansions on the exclusive Herengracht – some of which date back to the 1670’s – the Waldorf Astoria combines contemporary elegance with period charm; 17th Century artwork, gleaming marble and stucco, and a stunning staircase by Louis XVI’s architect. Out back is a gorgeous, semi-formal garden, while the interior is decked out in muted tones of blue and grey and classic good taste. The Guerlain spa and indoor pool are among the city’s best, and with Sidney Schutte – one of the Netherland’s most acclaimed chefs – in charge of the kitchens, eating is as wonderful as you’d imagine. Few top-end hotels in Amsterdam have rooms and suites as spacious, and while it’s not cheap, it thoroughly deserves its reputation as one of the best hotels in Amsterdam.

Check out Hotel Waldorf Astoria on Booking.com >>

Sofitel Legend The Grand

2. Sofitel Legend The Grand

Amsterdam doesn’t have a Ritz, but it does have the Sofitel Legend The Grand, a hotel that comes closest to replicating the London institution’s sense of old-world glitz and glamour. Originally built as a monastery in 1578 before being pressed into service as Amsterdam’s City Hall for 200 years, the building’s high ceilings and white marble floors maintain a regal splendour, with the rest of the interior full of warm colours, witty design touches, and classy fixtures and fittings. An air of elegance pervades the whole establishment; Hermes products in the bathrooms, Bose sound systems in the suites, and its very own horse-drawn carriage for sightseeing tours. There’s also a cigar bar, spa with a large pool, and the city’s most attractive garden courtyard – if the weather permits, do opt for lunch here. And if romance is in the air, ask for the bridal suite – it comes with your very own hammam and a private butler capable of pulling strings all over town.

Check out Sofitel Legend The Grand on Booking.com >>

hotel okura amsterdam

3. Hotel Okura

Want to visit a luxury 5 star hotel in Amsterdam? Hotel Okura is rated one of Amsterdam’s best hotels. For all its cosmopolitan vibes and shabby chic style, the neighbourhood of De Pijp is not particularly well served by top-class hotels. For this reason, the Hotel Okura stands out both physically and literally – the 23-story high rise towers over the surroundings here, a beacon of quiet, calm luxury. Rooted in the art of Japanese service, the Okura offers peaceful, serene living and a zen-like hideaway just a short tram ride from the city centre, and being a relatively new building means they have plenty of space to play with; four separate restaurants – all are excellent – the huge, tranquil Nagomi spa with the largest hotel pool in the city, a rooftop cocktail bar with breathtaking views across Amsterdam, and an authentic Japanese garden are just some of the amenities available. Rooms are spacious and light too, and the staff have perfected an attentive yet invisible service, making Okura the only choice for those seeking a restful, unhurried stay.

Check out Hotel Okura on Booking.com >>

4. The W

The W is a relative newcomer to the luxury Amsterdam hotel scene, and it shows; ultra hip, and ultra modern, it’s a contemporary, edgy establishment aimed firmly at the urban jet setter type. Located just a stone’s throw from Dam Square, it actually occupies two neighbouring buildings – a telephone exchange and a former bank – and makes the most of each’s original features; there a pool on the roof of the Exchange, while the Bank’s vault is home to a decadent spa. Service is snappy and geared to providing the inside track on the city’s art and design scene – no surprise when each room looks like a set from a Wallpaper Magazine photoshoot. High ceilings and glass walls are standard, as are colourful works by local designers, but the real star here is the rooftop bar at the Exchange – sipping on a cocktail enjoying views over the Royal Palace and west Amsterdam’s rooftops is one of the great experiences, and not to be missed. The W Hotel label is part of the world-renowned Mariott Hotel Group.

Check out W Hotel on Mariott.com >>

Check out W Hotel on Booking.com >>

Grand Hotel Krasnapolsky

5. Grand Hotel Krasnapolsky

Since we only selected Amsterdam’s finest hotel, the NH Collection Amsterdam Grand Hotel Krasnapolsky can’t be missed on this list. It’s 150-years history began with a coffee house on this location that was founded by Adolph Wilhelm Krasnapolsky. A very nice detail about the long history that they have placed a copperplate on every room door with an image from the old days. In addition, in their Grand Café Krasnapolsky, you will see the date when the first café was opened – 1866.  The Grand Cafe Krasnapolsky offers their guests classical dishes prepared with a modern twist, as well as various types of tea and delights. An unforgettable breakfast is prepared for you in the monumental Winter Garden.
The hotel is in the heart of the city on the edge of the Dam Square and opposite the Royal Palace.

The rooms are spacious and have their own features stunning view over the square.  The contrast between the room variation goes from very classical to ultra-modern. All the essentials of a luxury hotel room can be found. If you go for the Presidental room you will find a jacuzzi in the bathroom.
Get completely covered with quality in their White Room restaurant. The restaurant is awarded a Michelin Star. The amazing culinary experience exists out of modern cuisine.

The NH Collection Grand Hotel Krasnapolsky is easily accessible since there are many tram stops at Dam square.  In addition, it’s only a small 15 minutes away from Amsterdam Central Station.

Check out Hotel Krasnapolsky on Booking.com >>

Andaz Amsterdam

6. Andaz Amsterdam

Lovers of modern style and design should bed down at the Andaz Amsterdam, a luxury hotel which has pulled out all the stops in its quest to stand out from the crowd. The interior of this former library – by Dutch design maestro Marcel Wanders – is an absolute riot, an Alice-In-Wonderland meets Dutch culture and history playground with plenty of wry, local wit thrown into the mix. Tulip-shaped chairs, a glass-box lift, and video screens displaying work from the hotel’s own video art collection are just a few of the zany touches which extend to the rooms – don’t be surprised to find yourself sleeping beneath a giant, wall-mounted fish. But they’re practical too; walk-in wardrobes, phone-friendly sound systems, and plenty of plug sockets (and adaptors) all come as standard. The restaurant and bar are as inventive and eclectic as the rest of the property too, adding to the dream-like, cutting edge feel of contemporary luxury.

Check out Hotel Andaz on Booking.com >>

Dylan Amsterdam

7. The Dylan

Intimate and relaxed are the watchwords at The Dylan, a bijou 40-room top hotel in Amsterdam located in the midst of the Nine Streets shopping quarter. These two historic canalside houses provide a luxury sanctuary away from the bustle of one of the city’s busiest areas, where one can relax amid gorgeous period details such as wood panelling, leather upholstery, and antique furniture – the shaded courtyard, lined with trees, is a delight in warmer weather. Rooms are lush without being overbearing and are decorated in muted colours and calm lines, while The Dylan’s flagship restaurant, Vinkeles, is thoroughly deserving of its two Michelin stars (the Occo Brasserie is every bit as good, just a touch more casual). Staff are attentive and friendly, and although there is a gym, this is a place to get away from it all and chill out – no mean feat given its central location.

Check out Hotel The Dylan on Booking.com >>


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