The Best Hotels In Amsterdam For A Chic City Break

Being such a short flight from the UK, Amsterdam makes for the perfect long weekend break. Once you've landed at Schipol airport it's an easy train into Amsterdam city centre, so you can maximise your time away. In the past Amsterdam may have had a rep for lairy stag dos and Brits intent on sampling the 'coffee houses' and little else, but this beautiful city - with its historic canal houses, laidback temperament, and arty neighbourhoods - offers a more boujis mini break if that's what you seek. Booking the right hotel makes all the difference, of course, so we've rounded up some of the chicest, coolest places to stay in Amsterdam - and we'll keep adding more as we discover them.

Every art'otel (there are also properties in London, Berlin, Cologne, Zagreb and Rome) takes inspiration from a signature artist, giving each hotel a unique twist. At art'otel Amsterdam, local artist Atelier Van Lieshout has used the hotel as his canvas, with sculptures, installations and furniture. All 125 artworks
are inspired by the 'Course of Life' (check out the giant sperm installation in the inner courtyard). The hotel is also home to a gallery, free to the public, with an ever-changing program of exhibitions, plus a gorgeous library area (pictured above) filled with beautiful art books.

Our room at art'otel Amsterdam had huge floor to ceiling windows overlooking the hustle and bustle of the canal - great for people watching from the king size bed. You can borrow a bike from the hotel if you're brave enough to tackle Amsterdam's busy streets, or hop on a tram right outside the hotel (just tap in and out contactlessly). You're also right by the start point for all the boat tours: Flagship is great and has an onboard bar; our guide gave us two great tips: Proefklokaal A. Van Wees to try out the locally distilled jenever (warning - it's strong) and Het Fort van Sjakoo, an anarchist bookshop where you can get a beer, too.

Converted from the former mayor's house and situated on the picturesque Herengracht in the city's canal ring (i.e Insta catnip), expect luxe-but-laidback interiors that honour the building's history, and a cool, hipster vibe. There are 111 rooms - from 'shoebox' to 'roomy' - and the revamped Lotti’s restaurant (opening 11 November 2024) serves modern European cuisine with a focus on seasonal, Dutch ingredients. The Hoxton has another property - Lloyd Amsterdam - out in the trendy East Docklands, too.
thehoxton.com/amsterdam

A sprawling hotel that stretches across 25 restored 17th- and 18th-century canal houses, the hotel's stylish décor seamlessly weaves old world callbacks with modern interiors and bags of personality. You'll find luxe, five-star touches like Le Labo toiletries and Art Deco drinks trollies in your room and tranquil inner gardens to relax in. The cosy Pulitzer's Bar remains a favourite with locals (always a good sign).
pulitzeramsterdam.com

A former music conservatoire redesigned by Italian architect Piero Lissoni, Conservatorium has an unbeatable location between Amsterdam’s Big Three museums. Part of The Set Collection (which includes London’s Café Royal and Lutetia in Paris) it’s also home to the renowned and soon-to-be reopened Akasha spa. Dine in the brasseries in the hotel’s epic glass-roofed atrium or the Taiko restaurant for contemporary Asian cuisine. 
conservatoriumhotel.com