The Best Hotels in Amsterdam Offer a Chance at Canalside Living

It was during the 17th-century Dutch Golden Age that Amsterdam emerged as a global power player, its grand canal houses with distinctive gabled roofs built for wealthy merchants and bankers. Today, the Dutch capital—one of Europe’s most visited cities and still a major economic hub—is in the midst of another transformation. A crackdown on mass tourism has brought a limit on cruise ships in the historic center, tighter rules on short-term rentals, and cleaner public spaces. At the same time, a wave of stylish new hotels and charming B&Bs has opened along the historic Canal Belt and in lesser-visited neighborhoods like the Eastern Docklands and Oosterparkbuurt, making now an ideal moment to rediscover the city’s serene waterways, spectacular gardens, world-class museums, and local-favorite fashion addresses. It all starts with booking the right Amsterdam hotel for your itinerary.

Vogue’s Guide to the Best Hotels in Amsterdam

• For a Modern Masterpiece: Rosewood Amsterdam
• For Timeless Grandeur: Hotel De L’Europe
• For a Colorful Boutique Hotel: The Hoxton
• For a Waterfront Retreat: De Durgerdam Boutique Hotel
• For Canalside Luxury: Waldorf Astoria Amsterdam
• For a Quiet Stay by the Park: Pillows Hotel Maurits

Ahead, 13 of the best hotels in Amsterdam—from tiny apartment rentals to high-end luxury stays.

Rosewood Amsterdam

Courtesy of Rosewood Amsterdam

Amsterdam has no shortage of high-end boltholes, but when Rosewood opened a 134-room hotel inside the city’s 17th-century Palace of Justice earlier this summer, it set a new benchmark for luxury. And rightly so: Under current city regulations, the property is slated to be the last new hotel developed within the historic center. Renowned Dutch designer Piet Boon led a decade-long restoration of the colossal landmark, which spans nearly an entire city block along Prinsengracht, one of Amsterdam’s most picturesque canals. His design draws inspiration from the Rijksmuseum, particularly its collection of Old Masters, which informed a palette of inky blues and pale yellows. More than 1,000 works of art fill the interiors—from Frank Stella reliefs in the Rosewood’s private Hong Kong collection to two Maarten Baas clocks—enlivening the building’s original wood paneling, austere granite columns, and coffered ceilings.

A courtyard garden by celebrated landscape designer Piet Oudolf offers a dose of inner-city calm (and a pop of seasonal color), while five sprawling canal-side residences, each with a full kitchen and butler service, deliver the ultimate residential-style stay in the heart of the city if you’d rather forego a traditional guest room.

• Amenities: Indoor pool, spa, bar, fitness center, on-site restaurant, sauna, bike rental
• Bonus Tip: Guests can glide along the canals aboard the hotel’s classic tea-and-mahogany saloon boat, which dates to 1924.
• Address: Prinsengracht 432-436, 1017 KE

Carmen

Courtesy of Carmen Amsterdam

This 17th-century townhouse-turned-guesthouse is the passion project of Dutch entrepreneurs Carmen Atiyah de Baets, a former fashion PR, and chef Joris ter Meulen Swijtink. The couple opened the three-suite homestay to fill what they saw as a gap in Amsterdam’s hospitality scene: There are plenty of five-star hotels and no-frills hostels, but nothing like the intimate, soulful guesthouses they’d encountered on their travels—places like chef Enrique Olvera’s B&B in Mexico City, which served as a specific point of inspiration for the couple.

Their Dutch homestay occupies two historic canal houses once owned by Swijtink’s grandmother, linked by a serene private garden where the couple often hosts glamorous soirées and pop-ups beneath wisteria-covered pergolas. Guests are encouraged to make themselves at home, lingering in the garden, spinning records in the lounge, or lingering over French toast with salted espresso cream at the all-day café.

• Amenities: Complimentary drinks and snacks in kitchen, garden, fireplace, Aesop toiletries
• Bonus Tip: The property houses a well-curated boutique stocking pieces by international and local labels such as Pien Studios and Flore Flore by Florian van Zuilen.
• Address: Keizersgracht 600, 1017EP

Hotel De L’Europe

Courtesy of Hotel De L’Europe

For luxury of the gilded-and-tasseled variety, check into this grand dame at the meeting point of the Amstel River and the Rokin Canal, where lavish interiors are swathed in silks and velvets, accented with antique crystal chandeliers, and hung with Dutch Masters from the nearby Rijksmuseum’s collection. One of the oldest family-owned hotels in Amsterdam, it’s been in the hands of the Heineken family since the 1950s and is known for opening doors across the city—think private Van Gogh Museum tours or door-to-door boat rides. Even so, few guests find reason to stray far from the property, home to the two-Michelin-starred Flore, the atmospheric leather-clad Freddy’s Bar, and the buzzy Côte d’Azur–inspired Brasserie Marie. (For the wellness-inclined, there s also a subterranean spa with a swimming pool and indulgent body treatments.) Over the years, the hotel has expanded into neighboring buildings; its latest addition, ‘t Huys, features 14 suites individually designed by Dutch brands and creatives such as Salle Privée and jeweler Bibi van der Velden.

• Amenities: Fitness area, spa, multiple on-site restaurants and bars, indoor pool
• Bonus Tip: For one of the hottest tables in town, snag a seat at the 10-person chef’s table inside the hotel’s Michelin-starred Flore, where seasonal tasting menus are served amid the heat and theatre of the kitchen.
• Address: Nieuwe Doelenstraat 2-14, 1012 CP

De Durgerdam Boutique Hotel

Photo: Courtesy of Hotel de Durgerdam

While it can be hard to pull yourself away from the tranquil waterways of Amsterdam’s Canal Belt, this charming lakeside hotel (just a 20-minute drive from the city center) could tempt even the most die-hard urbanite. Fronting a shallow bay in the quaint fishing town of Durgerdam, the property occupies a pair of clapboard houses with gabled roofs, where 18th-century beams and masonry set the tone for a soulful stay. The interiors, by Amsterdam-based design studio Buro Belén, feel as if they’ve sprung from an Old Master canvas: saffron reds and mustard yellows paired with luxuriant silks and velvets, a scattering of vintage objects and furniture, and, naturally, 17th-century paintings by Dutch greats such as Pieter Jansz van Berendrecht sit alongside contemporary works by the likes of Philip Akkerman and Jacqueline de Jong.

After a swim in the freshwater lake, settle in for a meal at the fantastic De Mark—helmed by chefs Richard van Oostenbrugge and Thomas Groot (of Amsterdam’s two-Michelin-starred Restaurant 212 fame)—where seasonal vegetables and sustainably sourced seafood are served in a spectacular waterfront setting.

• Amenities: Private parking, on-site restaurant, bar, terrace, bike rental, fitness room, yoga classes
• Bonus Tip: In the warmer months, guests can dine on a lakeside deck that extends to a jetty, surrounded by swaying reeds and the rippling waters of IJmeer lake.
• Address: Durgerdammerdijk 73, 1026 CB

Pulitzer Amsterdam

Stitched together from 25 impeccably restored Golden Age canal houses, Pulitzer Amsterdam is one of the Dutch capital’s most emblematic stays. And its location couldn’t be better, overlooking the Prinsengracht and Keizersgracht canals and just a short stroll from the Rijksmuseum, the Anne Frank House, the Van Gogh Museum, and the fashionable Nine Streets. The 225 guest rooms are all unique, owing to the property’s historic footprint. All are dressed in jewel tones with peaked headboards nodding to the city’s gabled roofs, with tall windows framing postcard-worthy views of the canals. For the ultimate splurge, opt to stay in one of the property’s just-launched Collector’s Suites. They’re each themed: One is inspired by the Netherlands’ rich pottery tradition, another by Amsterdam’s famed tulips and flower markets. Rounding out the offerings are tranquil inner gardens and two classic canal boats for exploring the city’s waterways.

• Amenities: Fitness center, airport shuttle, bar, two on-site restaurants, spa
• Bonus Tip: The hotel’s newly launched Beauty House offers everything from skincare, massages, and nail and hair services to specialty treatments like cupping and cryotherapy facials.
• Address: Prinsengracht 323, 1016 GZ

Pillows Hotel Maurits at the Park

Courtesy of Pillows Hotel

A former biology university turned 88-room hotel on the leafy edge of Oosterpark (just a 15-minute subway ride from the city center), Pillows Hotel Maurits at the Park might not be the obvious pick for a first-time visitor to Amsterdam. But for return travelers—or simply those seeking a more tranquil, unhurried trip to the Dutch capital—it’s a fabulous option. Former classrooms have been reborn as elegant, high-ceilinged guest rooms, dressed in soft, gauzy tones and adorned with artwork (most from the postwar avant-garde Cobra movement) culled from owner Alex Mulder’s private collection. An all-day casual restaurant and a fine-dining concept from rising star chef Floris van Straalen mean that guests never have to wander far into the city center to find standout dining; and when the day winds down, there’s the 1920s-styled Fitz Bar, where low lighting conceals an original Picasso.

• Amenities: Fitness center, spa, bar, multiple on-site restaurants
• Bonus Tip: The hotel’s private, guest-only salon, The Living, offers complimentary treats and beverages throughout the day and is the perfect spot to curl up with a book or answer emails.
• Address: Mauritskade 61, 1092 AD

The Hoxton Amsterdam

Courtesy The Hoxton

It may be celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, but Amsterdam’s original Hoxton hotel, set along the picturesque Herengracht canal, remains one of the city’s most beloved (and reasonably priced!) stays. Like its sister properties in the London-born chain, this 111-room retreat draws a young, creative crowd, often found lounging on leather couches in the bright, open-air reception or sipping cocktails and sharing plates in the convivial all-day restaurant. Thanks to the property’s history as the former mayor’s home, the rooms have a regal air (think timber herringbone floors, vaulted ceilings, and canal views)… even if the smallest clocks in at just 130 square feet.

• Amenities: On-site restaurant, bar, meeting rooms, pet-friendly
• Bonus Tip: For more breathing room, check into the Hoxton’s second Amsterdam outpost, which opened in 2023 inside a century-old landmark in the revitalized Eastern Docklands. Just a 10-minute bike ride from Centraal Station, the neighborhood brims with world-class architecture, independent shops, and even a Dutch windmill reborn as a brewhouse.
• Address: Herengracht 255, 1016 BJ

Villa Nicola

Villa Nicola

A lot of hotels purport to replicate the feeling of staying in a fabulous friend’s apartment, but very few actually pull it off. Enter Villa Nicola, an intimate, two-suite B&B tucked into a leafy corner of the bohemian De Pijp neighborhood, owned and run by former fashion model booker turned hotelier Werner Nijenhuis. (Given his background, it’s little surprise that the early 20th-century canal house has served as a backdrop for fashion shoots with the likes of Gigi Hadid.)

The jewel box-like interiors nod to the Netherlands’ history of global trade and exploration, with botanical wallpaper and displays of taxidermied butterflies and flamingos paired with velvet settees, hand-painted vases, and high-backed wicker Peacock chairs. Breakfasts are lovingly prepared each morning and prepared in the powder blue-and-white communal kitchen, with made-to-order dishes served alongside fantastic bread and pastries.

• Amenities: Garden, breakfast provided
• Bonus Tip: In the Garden Suite, French doors open onto a private inner garden, where lush greenery and patio furniture create a serene urban oasis.
• Address: Nicolaas Witsenkade 21, 1017 ZS

Maison Rika

Courtesy of Maison Rika

Before launching her Rika fashion label and magazine, Swedish-born designer Ulrika Lundgren worked as an interior stylist for World of Interiors and Elle Décor. Her sharp design instincts and eclectic flair are on full display at her two-room Rika guesthouse in the bustling heart of Amsterdam, set on the second and third floors of the three-story townhouse that also houses her popular lifestyle store (there, browse pieces and objects from around the world, including Maison Michel hats, Rifle Paper stationery, Kjaer Weis beauty products, and a limited-edition line of Rika travel goods).

The two rooms overlook the Herengracht canal and feature exposed beams, black-painted oak floors, black-tiled bathrooms with handmade black copper washbasins, and eye-catching artworks by the likes of San Ming and John Derian. The vibe is cozy, but with a rock-and-roll edge.

• Amenities: Complimentary snacks and drinks
• Bonus Tip: The downstairs lifestyle store regularly hosts pop-up events and artist exhibitions, making the townhouse a buzzing beehive of cultural activity year-round.
• Address: Oude Spiegelstraat 12, 1016 BM

The Dylan Amsterdam

Courtesy of The Dylan

You’d never guess this swish boutique hotel has been around since 1999. Pass through its 17th-century archway into a stunning reception area—all white marble, black lacquer, rococo moldings, and plush curvilinear furniture—and you’d swear the 40-room property was the cool new kid on the block. The timeless interiors are the work of famed Dutch designer Paul Linse, known for projects at the Rijksmuseum, the Royal Concert Hall Amsterdam, and London’s Royal Opera House. But it’s not just the refined design that keeps guests coming back. The convivial bar-brasserie OCCO is a local favorite for everything from breakfast to afternoon tea to late-night drinks, while the two-Michelin-starred Vinkeles draws diners for its modern spins on classic French cuisine (think: pigeon with duck liver, sour cherry, and rare Cusco Chuncho cacao).

• Amenities: Fitness center, multiple on-site restaurants, bar, meeting rooms
• Bonus Tip: That crisp cotton jacket your receptionist is wearing? It’s a custom unisex style from Dutch workwear brand Bonne, a favorite of Louis Vuitton models and Amsterdam’s coolest tastemakers alike.
• Address: Keizersgracht 384, 1016 GB

Soho House Amsterdam

Courtesy of Soho House

In a city that knows how to work hard and play hard, Amsterdam was always going to be a slam dunk for the Soho House brand. Its 79-room outpost on Spuistraat delivers all the style, service, and amenities members would expect: a 36-seat private cinema, a beautiful gym with canal views, a rooftop with 360-degree vistas and a seasonal pool, a fleet of VanMoof bikes for exploring the city, and an indulgent Cowshed spa complete with a sauna and steam room. It never feels formulaic, though, thanks to its setting inside the 1930s Bungehuis, an Art Deco landmark with a slab granite façade, stained-glass windows, and mosaic-tiled floors—now brought into the modern age with abundant artwork by contemporary Dutch talent such as Fiona Tan, Esther Tielemans, and Studio Drift. Here, the all-day Italian Cecconi’s restaurant overlooks the canal and features a retractable glass roof that floods the space in natural light (a luxury on rainy days).

• Amenities: Fitness center, rooftop, outdoor pool, cinema, bike rental, spa, on-site restaurant, bar
• Bonus Tip: Too nervous to bike around the city? Get your workout in on the hotel’s wooden climbing wall or sign up for a kettlebell workout or Pilates class.
• Address: Spuistraat, 210 1012 VT

Waldorf Astoria Amsterdam

Courtesy of the Waldorf Astoria Amsterdam

The Dutch outpost of the New York-born brand occupies not one but six canalside palaces. Show-stopping Louis XIV-style staircases, intricate stuccowork, and 17th-century ceiling paintings channel the opulence of the Dutch Golden Age. Politicians and celebrities flock here not only for the refined style and prime location near the city’s best shopping and dining, but also for its anticipatory, white-glove service; the kind that, during the 2023 blockbuster Vermeer show at the Rijksmuseum, had rival hotels calling to buy exhibition tickets from them. The 93 lofts, suites, and rooms offer views of either the canal or the serene private garden, while the Guerlain spa features a sauna, steam room, and garden-facing pool for unwinding between treatments.

A standout is the two-Michelin-starred Spectrum restaurant, where chef Sidney Schutte transforms top-tier Dutch produce with international techniques honed at Michelin-starred kitchens in Hong Kong.

• Amenities: Two on-site restaurants, indoor swimming pool, pet-friendly, fitness center, bar, spa, meeting rooms
• Bonus Tip: Be sure to drop in for afternoon tea at Peacock Alley, where the walls are painted in the same shade of cornflower blue found in Vermeer’s most famous canvases.
• Address: Herengracht 542-556, 1017 CG

Conservatorium Hotel

Courtesy of Conservatorium Hotel

In 2011, Italian architect Piero Lissoni transformed this 19th-century bank-turned-music conservatory into one of Amsterdam’s most stylish contemporary boutique hotels. The pièce de résistance is a lofty, glass-enclosed atrium dominated by a suspended steel staircase, midcentury-inspired furniture and tables by Italian modernist Franco Albini, and the building’s original neo-Gothic brick-and-tile façade. It’s a show-stopping space housing the lobby, a café, and the excellent Mediterranean restaurant Barbounia (your order: grilled octopus with sesame yogurt, tomato chutney, crispy potatoes, and lamb merguez).

The hotel is a 10-minute walk from the canals and just steps from the P.C. Hooftstraat shopping boulevard, as well as the Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum, and Stedelijk Museum. After a day of exploring, unwind in the Akasha spa, which features a 60-foot lap pool and treatments ranging from Watsu therapy and chakra release to facials by Dutch skincare brand The|Tides.

• Amenities: Indoor swimming pool, spa, fitness center, in-house DJ, bar, on-site restaurant
• Bonus Tip: The property was the first Dutch hotel awarded with the prestigious Green Globe certification; since 2018, it has diverted thousands of pounds of waste from landfills and recycled more than 7,000 pounds of plastic.
• Address: Paulus Potterstraat 50, 1071 DB