Its big-hitting museums have reopened after years of improvements and
renovations, and there are enough design-savvy hotels to keep discerning
guests returning again and again.
By Sharon Forrester, Condé Nast Traveler
Amsterdam is a good-time city. And a beautiful city - one of the most iconic in the world, with its 200-year-old canals lined with picturesque townhouses, cyclists zooming around over its little bridges. No longer is it the stag-do capital of the world. In the past couple of years Amsterdam has smartened up its act, with art galleries and stylish boutiques and buzzy cafés opening in its former red-light district.
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Amsterdam is a good-time city. And a beautiful city - one of the most iconic in the world, with its 200-year-old canals lined with picturesque townhouses, cyclists zooming around over its little bridges. No longer is it the stag-do capital of the world. In the past couple of years Amsterdam has smartened up its act, with art galleries and stylish boutiques and buzzy cafés opening in its former red-light district.
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Where to stay in Amsterdam
WITTENBERG
[post_ads]It would be easy to chalk up the Wittenberg as just another canal-house hotel opening. Except it’s not. This is the first European outpost from SACO, the company behind pretty-as-a-peach Leman Locke in London and Edinburgh’s Eden Locke (opposite). And it’s not a hotel. Instead, the peppy, bright one- to three-bedroom apartments are designed as crashpads for longer stints. Owned by the Lutheran Church, the stately block is arranged across the three buildings of a converted hospital dating back to 1773, and sits reverently in the middle of the laid-back Plantage neighbourhood. It’s a five-minute walk to the Artis Royal Zoo and Hortus Botanicus gardens, and the Southern Canals, Old Town and up-and-coming Pijp neighbourhoods are all within easy reach by foot or bike (which can be hired at reception).
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With such a history, the team could have gone to town on the period details; instead interiors are kept clean-lined, minimal and contemporary. That’s not to say the Wittenberg isn’t settle-in cosy. The reception desk is tucked to one side so you can come and go as you please. Typically Dutch sash windows mean the apartments are light and airy, with bright, comfy sofas, and art and design titles arranged on bookshelves. Plus there’s all the necessary kitchen kit and a welcome bag of foodie treats on arrival, Zenology products in the bathroom, and that wonderful away-from-home extra: twice-weekly housekeeping. This is a smart new place for properly getting under the skin of the city. Double rooms from about £120; +31 20 808 4006; thewittenberg.com. Minimum seven-night stay.
See more at: Condé Nast Traveler
See more at: Condé Nast Traveler
