HERITAGE & HAUTE MEET IN AMSTERDAM at THE NEW, UBER-HIP W HOTEL
On Wednesday I arrived in Amsterdam to one of my favourite homes away from homes - W Hotels. As I did in Saint Petersburg, Russia, I stayed in the latest bijou offering from one of the world's sleekest hotel branches. The brand arrived to Amsterdam only last October, and I couldn't have been more excited to review the spanking new W Amsterdam!
"Split across two unique buildings, a former Telephone Exchange building and a Bank, W Amsterdam is an intriguing design mix of heritage and contemporary. In the W Lounge, over 5km of copper pipes pay tribute to the telephone wires and electricity lines that exchanged information on a daily basis when the building was home to the Royal Dutch Post Building."
Amsterdam is one of those European cities that never seems to sleep what with their notorious offerings of nocturnal proclivities that is legalised vice. This famously liberal nature attracts a young and energetic crowd to a city that is as titillating as it is tasteful. Amsterdam's eclectic offerings - whether it's Van Gogh, tulips and cheese, or a different strain of cheese - makes it one of the European capitals to visit in Spring and Summer.
The W Amsterdam is the perfect springboard from which to dive into all the city has to offer. The amazing location is a given: the hotel is a mere 4 minute walk from historic Dam Square, in the centre of the city whose canals spread out like the veins of a heart that never stops beating. How appropriate a location for a hotel whose philosophy is 'Whatever, Whenever' (below). Then there's the W's famously hospitality with their unusually attractive and in-the-know staff who will go out of their way to get you everything you want, as long as it's legal. And in Amsterdam, everything is legal.
There's also plenty to enjoy for time-poor business traveller or the visitor who just wants to stay put and enjoy the city at a languid pace. The rooftop W Lounge (below) offers stunning view of the city and is host to many events while the AWAY spa is the perfect place for downtime. In the way of gastronomical offerings there is Mr. Porter and the baroque beauty that is The Duchess (which I will review in my restaurant roundup). The X BANK, just across the hotel, is a showcase of cutting-edge fashion, art, design, culture from the latest and best in Dutch design and a shopping and cultural destination in its own right.
SWAP STRESS FOR SERENITY IN A COZY EXCHANGE ROOM
This is studio living at its most stylish. A room with a view and a open plan bathroom mades 25 square meters seem positively roomy. Throw in the luxurious W signature bed with pillow top mattress and luxurious 400-thread count sheets, and even the smallest of W Amsterdam's rooms became a haven of comfort for my short stay. Bliss spa toiletries, complimentary Nespresso, Marshall speakers, plus a stack of fashion and design books for my perusal completed my Cozy Exchange Room experience, making it a sophisticated bubble of serenity in the centre of an exciting and electric capital city.
Wam, bam, Amsterdam
I've been to Amsterdam a few times before and have always enjoyed the city whether I'm travelling solo, with friends, or on this occasion with family. Amsterdam is compact and well-connected thanks to its status as one of the world's most bicycle-friendly cities. Even so I had no need for the bikes provided by The W Amsterdam for guests (although one day I would like to take them up on their pets-friendly offer) as the hotel has a prime position - adjacent to Wallen (the red light district) and other tourist destinations such as the Royal Palace.
With my previous trips to Amsterdam I've stayed at apartments or boutique hotels in less central parts of the city. So it was a great luxury to check into a 5-star hotel so close to most of the sights I wanted to see. Especially as the hotel is part of a brand I know and trust to deliver the level of care and quality I have come to expect from W Hotels. Special thanks to the concierge who had to listen to me waffle on about how it was impossible for me to find a pancake place open after 6pm and suggesting alternatives for my carb fix. THE W AMSTERDAM |