Andaz Amsterdam

With a prime location on one of Amsterdam’s most historic canals and set in a former public library, the Andaz features an eclectic décor and warm atmosphere.

• The buzzing lobby, which features the reception area, bar and lounge
• Bluespoon restaurant, with its open kitchen that serves seasonal cuisine
• The video art installations and sculptures throughout the hotel

In a city said to have more museums per capita than any other in the world, the Andaz fits in quite nicely, given its insistence on existing somewhere in between hotel, museum and artists’ collective. Here, the person checking you in might also be the person manning the bar that evening. All of this creates a welcoming but whimsical environment, which mirrors the eclectic interior design.

Styled by powerhouse local designer Marcel Wanders, the hotel feels a bit like something out of Alice in Wonderland, with video art installations, contemporary red chairs and a large atrium filled with what can only be described as oversized Christmas ornaments. The hotel’s 122 rooms adhere to a mostly blue-and-white color scheme and have a few quirky touches, like the Delft-inspired vanity that stands in the middle of the bedroom and the wall art, which includes a piece of art that is half-spoon, half-fish. About half the rooms boast beautiful canal views, with the other half looking inwards at the hotel’s maze-like garden.

The Andaz boasts a spa with two treatment rooms and a large, well-equipped gym. The hotel’s best feature, though, it its incredible location. Guests can easily shop in the posh Nine Streets quarter, walk to the museum district and explore the lively Jordaan neighborhood, which is host to incredible restaurants, art galleries and beautiful homes.

Those who want to be centrally located and who also have an appreciation for eccentric, if occasionally peculiar, design.