Travel Spotlight

Upon Arrival: Amsterdam

By Emma Pierce

However exciting it may be to have reached your destination, the first day of a trip can be a blur. Long flights are tiring, and hotels don’t always have rooms ready for check-in before mid-afternoon. Few travelers care to leap into their trip bleary-eyed, embarking on a full-day excursion, nor do they want to waste the day completely. In the spirit of finding a happy medium, we have outlined an ideal arrival day in Amsterdam, customized to where you are staying.

Hotel: Pulitzer Amsterdam or the Dylan

Late Breakfast: Grab a light bite at Pluk, a charming little coffee shop serving homemade pastries, cakes and açaí bowls.
Restore: Book an in-room massage at your hotel or head to the spa at the nearby W Amsterdam.
Perfect Lunch: Dine in the garden at the Pulitzer or opt for Amsterdam classic Pancakes!
Culture Moment: A canal cruise is one of the best ways to explore Amsterdam. The Pulitzer offers tours on its stunning, century-old cruiser, The Tourist.
Shop Around: The Nine Streets quarter, which boasts lovely boutiques and restaurants. Some of the prettiest streets to amble down are those that line the canals of Prinsengracht, Keizersgracht and Herengracht.
Caffeinate: Stop for mint tea or coffee at Winkel43, a local institution known for its delicious apple cake.
Lovely Stroll: Amble through the Jordaan neighborhood, one of the most coveted—and expensive—residential areas.

Hotel: Waldorf Astoria

Late Breakfast: Head to Café Droog, the second-floor eatery at iconic concept store Droog.
Restore: At the Waldorf’s plush and peaceful Guerlain spa and indoor pool
Perfect Lunch: Dine at the charming Buffet van Odette, which serves seasonal café fare.
Culture Moment: Visit the stunning Museum Van Loon, a double-sized canal house and former private home that dates back to 1672.
Shop Around: The Spiegelkwartier, which has fantastic antiques shops.
Lovely Stroll: Walk along Utrechtsestraat. Don’t miss Jan and MaisonNL for small accessories and home décor.

Related: Top Tables Amsterdam

Hotel: Conservatorium

Late Breakfast: Grab a bite at the charming Buffet van Odette, which serves seasonal café fare.
Restore: At the Conservatorium’s Akasha Wellbeing Center, which offers yoga and Pilates classes in addition to a large gym, small pool and full spa.
Perfect Lunch: For French bistro classics, opt for George WPA, and for something more upscale, try the restaurant at the Rijsmuseum, Rijks.
Culture Moment: Visit the Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam’s most celebrated museum and the home of Rembrandt’s iconic work The Nights Watch.
Shop Around: The Spiegelkwartier, which has fantastic antiques shops.
Lovely Stroll: Amsterdam’s version of Central Park, Vondelpark is a 120-acre leafy retreat that is fabulous for biking, walking and enjoying the outdoors.