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Hotel Roemer

Netherlands,Amsterdam

"Funky retro prints and high-tech gadgetry makes this fabulous boutique hotel an Amsterdam favourite. It's superbly located right near the Vondelpark and has one of th...

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The College Hotel

Netherlands,Amsterdam

"Amsterdam's students run this slinky boutique hotel, beloved for it's warm and friendly atmosphere. Culture-vultures will love the fact that Museumplein lies just aro...

From EUR 250.00 Read review

Europe > Netherlands > Amsterdam > Amsterdam > Articles > Grand Hotel Amrath

Grand Hotel Amrath

by Jeroen Bergmans

Across the street from Amsterdam’s stately Central Station, a mysterious, turreted building that wouldn’t look out of place in Gotham City or Gormenghast has stood empty for years

't Hotel

Amsterdam,Jordaan

"A petite boutique hotel near Amsterdam's Leliegracht canal. Its a great budget bed and breakfast choice in the city, and you can save your pennies for Restaurant Chri...

From EUR 145.00 Read review

Pulitzer

Netherlands,Amsterdam

"This is a well-located business hotel in Amsterdam, a converted canal house and set around a central garden."

From EUR 187 Read review

Hotel Vondel

Netherlands,Amsterdam

"Take a stroll from this smart boutique hotel to Amstersdam's Vondelpark and spend some quality time with the family. After all, this stylish four star is nothing if n...

From EUR 220.00 Read review

The Grand Hotel Amrath is the latest addition to Amsterdam's luxury hotel scene. Located across the street from Amsterdam’s stately Central Station, the Hotel Amrath is housed in a mysterious, turreted building that wouldn’t look out of place in Gotham City or Gormenghast and which stood empty for years. Once a year on architectural open days a few lucky locals got sneak peaks at its spectacular, original Amsterdam School interiors. But then the Amrath hotel chain braved its rigid building regulations and transformed it into arguably the most spectacular luxury hotel in Amsterdam.

Christened the ‘Scheepvaarthuis’, it was built in 1913 as a showcase HQ by Holland’s six most powerful shipping companies to establish Amsterdam as a global trading hub. Specially-commissioned sculptures of Neptune, Dutch scholars and sea-faring merchants adorn the exterior. The entrance hall of the luxury hotel resembles the bow of a ship and the spectacular marble staircase is topped by a stained glass ceiling depicting the seven seas and the twelve signs of the zodiac. There’s decorative wood panelling, architectural ironmongery and original furniture at every turn. Even the hop-on, hop-off wooden elevators that were so cutting-edge for a luxury hotel in their time are still functioning, although health and safety regulations mean they now just display contemporary artwork.

The facilities

A visit to the glitzy is a must, as Amsterdam luxury hotel spas are surprisingly rare. If you’re planning to impress, a dinner or power-meeting in the stunning Beraadzaal where the shipping barons once controlled their empire is not to be missed.

The rooms

All 138 rooms at the Grand Hotel Amrath have high ceilings, extra-long beds and broodingly luxurious décor – make sure to specify a canal view. The Roof Garden Suite, three-storey Tower Suite and Monumental Suite are set to become favourites with visiting media moghuls thanks to their palatial proportions and bathrooms housed in glass cubes.