Hotel in the snow

We went there for a friends birthday in December and it was really lovely. An old school building beautifully restored to a high standard. The bar has wonderful fireplaces and sofas for lounging, with various ante rooms off it, for more private conversations.

Not that we made use of it, but  set off the bar area there is a beautiful courtyard where the staff were lighting fire drums for smokers in the December air. I will be back now that summer is coming to see what fun we can have in the longer evenings there.

What started out as a training hotel for students of the Regional Education Centre has grown into a hotel of grand prestige. The 4-star hotel is under supervision of young managers, who aim to boost the international hotel standards to new heights, together with the students who run the hotel.
A nice detail lies in the fact that the hotel houses in a former school building which stems from the same architectural period as the Rijksmuseum. The style can be recognized easily and the building rightfully enjoys a monumental status. The neighbourhood is blessed with many restaurants, bars and a vivid nightlife, although culture-seeking guests will certainly enjoy the surroundings. The Stedelijk Museum and Van Gogh Museum are situated at the Museumplein nearby. The beautiful Vondel Park is easy to reach as well. In the P.C. Hooftstraat shopping enthusiasts can indulge in trendy extravagance. This street forms a nice passage to the city centre, although tramconnections will shorten long strolls according to the desired amount of activity

The Bar

There isn’t wifi in the bar, there is in the rooms, but its at an extra charge, which is a bummer for me.

The cocktail list is impressive, and leather bound. The bar food menu looked lovely and most people in my group tucked into hearty sandwiches and soups. There is also a good restaurant in the hotel, which we didn’t check out on the first visit. The staff are young, all being “in training” and as Dutch service is bad at the best of times, you’d be advised to bring your patience, and relax. Amsterdam in general is not a place for rushing and once you realize that, you will love just chilling and people watching.

While saying that the staff were a bit distractible, they were very polite and helpful, assisting us with hiding cakes and lighting candles. Overall I think that a stay here would find a very helpful and youthful staff with good recommendations for things to do in the city and a genuinely pleasant attitude on the front desk

The rooms look plush, even their basic rooms look like they would more than fit the bill for a good nights sleep. My office manager took a tour there recently as she was planning some friends coming to stay, she said the rooms were really comfy and very luxurious. And she travels a lot for business so has an eye for a good room.

Cozy rooms

If I had to compare it to a place in Dublin I would say its a lot like the Dylan (even though we have a Dylan here too) in style but not really like it in attitude. The Dutch on the whole are not “up themselves” so there is no stuffiness or poshness, just relaxed laissez-faire enjoyment. So if you are planning a visit and want somewhere peaceful, upmarket and very luxurious. Try here!

From Engadget, and seemingly still in the works….

The worlds first flying hotel!

Beginning with a cruise around the US, it is planned to do European cruises too.

Helicopter Hotel

“The ‘copter can even be rented out for what will undoubtedly be the zaniest episode of My Super Sweet 16 ever.
There’s no word on how pricey this five-star flying hotel will be, but if you have to ask, you probably can’t even afford a walk through.”

Hmmm, looks like a bit of a blimp to me.

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Edt: Yes,  I know….. its a fake!
Thanks Conor

In an area called the nine streets, the 9 straatjes in Dutch (post to follow on that) is a shop/cafe/design agency/boutique suite hotel called Miauw. Quite a tall order from one premises, but this place is pretty cool!

It began in Antwerp and then branched to Amsterdam, once it realised a very unique winning formula. Based over two buildings on Hartenstraat 36 it offers a very cool place to stay in one of the nicest areas to wander in Amsterdam (I.M.H.O)

From the look of the suites they are well furnished in the cool eclectic Dutch fashionista sense.  Ample sized and at not too steep a price* (€195 p/n) with kitchen and living area. Wifi, high spec tv and sexy bathrooms, it has it all for that cool weekend away. The addition of the cafe, and shop will make for a great first stop on your wander. Dutch style is kooky to say the least. Its a place where more individual = more stylish, and the clothes stores of the 9 streets really brings that to you.From a quick look around the Miauw shops tell me that the 9 streets style prevails here too.

The Project is a small design and advertising studio, again in the cool Dutch style of a little of everything, they market themselves as creating everything from commercials, music video’s and films to graphic design and art installations.
Worth a look if you want somewhere cool and individual for a self catering weekend in the heart of the city.

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So let me know if this tickles your fancy and I’ll find similar.
Of course I’ll be adding more so any requests, bars, restos, galleries, shops, hangouts, areas – let me know and I’ll hunt you down the best!