Why go?
The joy of jumping aboard a London train and less than four hours later, chugging into The Netherlands’ vibrant capital city is not to be underestimated. Waldorf Astoria Amsterdam is at the beating heart of the action; smooth contemporary luxury, set against a reverential backdrop of six opulent 17th and 18th-century mansions. The hotel whispers tales of Amsterdam’s grand trading history, just within a modern design narrative.
Honeymoon style
Couples enjoying Amsterdam’s world-class museums and galleries, outstanding restaurants, and Dutch Baroque architecture will relish coming home to Waldorf Astoria Amsterdam’s creamy opulence. Prime period features pepper the hotel, from the sweeping 18th century mahogany staircase and the Rococo touches in the cornicing, to the museum perfection of the Maurer Room – a private dining room decked in show-stopping 18th-century wall paintings.
Set the scene
A grand staircase takes guests from street level into the light and airy entrance hall, where, upon check in, charming members of staff offer house-made chocolates and a choice of Cire Trudon fragrances for your room. Original mouldings and marble features lead to the light-filled Peacock Alley lounge, a congenial spot with expansive views over the hotel’s large oasis-style private garden. A piano tinkles away as the waiter arrives with a glass of Champagne. Here, in this refuge of calm and cavernous marble rooms, honeymooners can recalibrate after their trip while the front of house team anticipate their needs before realising them themselves.
Rooms
Rooms are spacious and spread across the six storybook townhouses. Each is individually designed, with its own character and historical details; think large windows with soaring ceilings, elegant armchairs, marble fireplaces, and luxurious fabrics in natural hues that, together, paint an elegant picture. The Backer Suite is a honeymooner’s fever dream, with its intricately carved ceilings, and views onto the iconic Herengracht. Couples can revel in their own Girl With A Pearl Earring fantasies, while enjoying playful mod cons, such as the perfect espresso machine, roll top baths big enough for two, and nightly treats at turndown: expect cinnamon pillow sweets and Amsterdam’s famed Stroopwafels.
Food & Drink
One of the Netherlands’ finest chefs, Sidney Schutte, head up the two Michelin-starred Spectrum, where colourful and subtly Dutch-inspired dishes using local ingredients are presented with artistic flair. The highly imaginative 12-course tasting menu is the way to go, and don’t forego the sensational cheese course. Peacock Alley hosts lunches, and the spectacular afternoon teas for which Waldorf Astoria Amsterdam has become famous. These are presented according to season, with the current iteration celebrating this year’s Vermeer exhibition at the Rijksmuseum, with a Dutch Masters theme; from brioche with milk panna cotta inspired by Vermeer’s The Milkmaid and vanilla, cherry and tangerine ice cream inspired by Mondrian’s work, to a tiny edible canvas of Van Gogh’s Starry Night, the craftsmanship of the hotel’s pastry chefs is exquisite, and the afternoon tea is really quite special.
Downstairs, The Vault Bar is accessed by a thick, steel vaulted door – a relic of the building’s previous life as a bank – where a wall of safety deposit boxes holds assorted bottles, and the bartender rustles up dangerously good cocktails such as the Dutch Gulder (aged genever, honey, rhubarb, spices, and soda water), which is finely-tuned with sweet and sour notes.
The Story
The original six canal houses comprising Waldorf Astoria Amsterdam were first constructed in the mid-1600s, along the Herengracht, or ‘Gentleman’s Canal’. The Herengracht is one of the three main canals in Amsterdam that local engineers built during the Dutch Golden Age, when the city became the mercantile capital of the world. Houses along the canal combined business and pleasure, with the first floor featuring cavernous, light-filled rooms for entertaining guests. Over time, these homes fell into disrepair, inspiring efforts during the 1930s and 1960s to turn them into office spaces for shipping companies and insurance agencies. In 2014, Waldorf Astoria swooped in to acquire the row of houses, honouring their historic grandeur throughout the restoration process, with original wall paintings and design motifs dating back over 400 years saved in a bid to protect Amsterdam’s rich history. Each of the original buildings has a name – De Wildt, Kemp, Hooft, Marot, Sautijn and Brentano – all with their own gripping tales.
Family-Friendly
The team here cater to all guests, whatever their age – and the smalls are just as pampered as their parents with special Dutch treats at turndown. Saying this, Waldorf Astoria Amsterdam is a grown-up hotel and there are plenty of other Amsterdam hotels with tricks up their sleeves for families.
Spa
In the basement of the hotel, the sleek Guerlain spa provides a welcome retreat from the canalside bustle, offering a vast array of treatments to unwind and re-centre. Try the ‘Fusion Experience’ treatment, which was created exclusively for Waldorf Astoria Amsterdam by Guerlain; a kooky sounding blend of hot oil and water ice bubbles, with a focus on fusing water and earth (a prevalent theme in Amsterdam). Guests are invited to make use of the spa’s sophisticated relaxation areas overlooking the pretty private gardens, or enjoy a relaxing pre- or post-therapy swim in the heated indoor pool.
Eco-Friendly
Up on the roof of the hotel, visible from the garden below are six beehives, built in the style of the six canal palaces that form Waldorf Astoria Amsterdam, encouraging cross pollination among Amsterdam’s many green spaces. This is one of several sustainability initiatives in full swing at the hotel, which include reusable water bottles, rainwater irrigation for the garden and an à la carte breakfast to reduce the classic buffet’s food waste.
Location
Situated in the UNESCO area of Herengracht, Waldorf Astoria Amsterdam couldn’t be better placed to access the best culture, shops, restaurants, and bars that Amsterdam has to offer. Everything is within easy walking distance, with the Museum Quarter 15 minutes away, the Negen Straatje with its cool shops and independent boutiques just 10 minutes away, and the floating flower markets and canal network right on its doorstep. Centraal Station is a mile from the hotel, and Schipol airport is am easy 20 minute taxi ride.
Doubles at Waldorf Astoria Amsterdam from £615 per night
To book, please visit hilton.com
Related Article: Honeymoon Review: J.K. Place Roma
