The 10 best hotels in Amsterdam for first-time visitors
A first trip to Amsterdam comes with a long wish list. A canal cruise, the Rijksmuseum, the Anne Frank House and a wander through the Jordaan are usually near the top. Where you stay determines how much you'll see.
On a first visit, choosing the right hotel matters, so we kept this list tight. Each hotel puts the canals, Dam Square and the Nine Streets on your doorstep. Tram stops are close by for everything else. Our picks range from elegant canal-house boutiques to grand landmark hotels on the Amstel and Dam Square.
Arriving is easy, too. Trains from Schiphol reach Centraal Station in about 15 minutes. Book Anne Frank House tickets well ahead, as they sell out fast. Your first visit deserves the best possible base, and these are our top picks.
The 10 best hotels in Amsterdam for first-time visitors
Canal views, antique furniture and a bar open around the clock, in a family-run hotel five minutes from Dam Square.
Boutique
Fitness centre
On-site parking
Room sizes from 13 m²Read the full story
On the Singel, near Dam Square
Just 300 metres from Dam Square, Hotel Estheréa overlooks the Singel, Amsterdam's innermost ring canal. The Nine Streets are a short walk away, a charming grid of small streets full of independent boutiques, vintage shops and cafés. The Flower Market and the Anne Frank House are nearby. Rokin metro station is about five minutes on foot.
A Family-Run Hotel since the 1940s
Maria Flieger-Gruyters opened a small guesthouse here and named it after her daughters, Esther, Elly and Ria. The same family still runs the hotel today. It now spans several neighbouring canal houses but has kept its warm, personal style of hospitality.
Traditional, Individually Decorated Rooms
Every room is decorated differently. Expect crystal chandeliers, wood panelling and richly patterned fabrics. Several rooms overlook the canal.
Maria's Bar & Lounge
Named after the founder, Maria's Bar is open to guests around the clock. It serves cocktails with bitterballen and Dutch cheese. During the day, the canal-view lounge offers free coffee, tea, and hot chocolate, and serves breakfast each morning.
Watch the Amstel from your window, dine at a two-Michelin-starred table and swim below, in a grand 1896 hotel.
Ultra luxury
Swimming pool
Spa
Fitness centre
Restaurant
Pet friendly
Sustainable
Room sizes from 25 m²Read the full story
On the Amstel, near the Flower Market
Right on the water, where the Amstel flows into the old centre, De L'Europe looks across the river to the cafés and bars of Rembrandtplein. The floating Flower Market is a couple of minutes' walk away, and from there you can explore the canal belt and the Nine Streets on foot. Rokin metro station is close by when you want to venture further afield.
A Grand Hotel with a Creative Spirit
The hotel has all the presence of a grand hotel but a more creative personality. Dutch art, craftsmanship and modern design sit alongside the historic architecture, giving it a glamorous, distinctly Amsterdam feel.
Rooms & 't Huys Suites
Rooms start at 25 square metres and blend traditional details with modern comforts. Higher categories have larger windows and fine views over the Amstel. Each 't Huys suite celebrates Amsterdam's worlds of art, fashion, and design.
Dining with a Creative Edge
Flore, led by chef Bas van Kranen, is the hotel's culinary showpiece, with creative cooking in an intimate room. Marie is more relaxed and overlooks the Amstel. Freddy's Bar is a classic, elegant hotel bar, perfect for a nightcap.
Spa & Indoor Pool
The spa is a calm place to unwind after a day in the city. Its heated indoor pool offers water views and includes a sauna, steam room, and Jacuzzi. Facials use Biologique Recherche, the Paris skincare brand known for tailoring each treatment to the individual. The hotel also offers massages, scrubs, and body wraps, and a well-equipped fitness studio completes the facilities.
Each room celebrates a Dutch trade, from mapmaking to shoemaking, in a canal house ten minutes from Centraal Station.
Boutique
Room sizes from 19 m²Read the full story
On the Singel, near Centraal Station
The Craftsmen sits on a quiet stretch of the Singel, the innermost of the city's ring canals, about ten minutes' walk from Centraal Station. The western canals and the Jordaan are close by, with their pretty bridges, galleries and brown cafés. Dam Square and the Nine Streets are also a short walk away. The Nieuwezijds Kolk tram stop is about three minutes away.
Inspired by Dutch Craftsmanship
For decades, this was the Hotel Brouwer. Today, each room celebrates a traditional Dutch trade, from the cartographer to the shoemaker. Upcycled antiques and handmade details run throughout, including lamps made from old tools and an aircraft door reused as a wardrobe.
Individually Themed Rooms
Each room has its own character, from cosy doubles like The Cartographer to the loft-style Aeroplane Builder, which offers extra space. All have premium bedding, a walk-in shower, and an in-room safe, and most overlook the canal.
Breakfast & the Gallery
Breakfast can be served in your room or in the Gallery, and is carefully prepared. In the evening, the Gallery becomes a relaxed spot for drinks and small plates.
Step off the train into a hotel full of contemporary art, with an indoor pool and a much-praised Portuguese restaurant.
Trendy
Swimming pool
Spa
Fitness centre
Restaurant
Pet friendly
Sustainable
Room sizes from 25 m²Read the full story
Opposite Centraal Station
Step off the train, and you're practically at the door. art'otel fills a grand historic building on Prins Hendrikkade, directly opposite Centraal Station, where trains, trams and the metro fan out across the city. Dam Square is a short walk down Damrak, and the Nine Streets, with their independent boutiques and canal-side cafés, are within easy reach.
A Hotel Built around Contemporary Art
The Rotterdam studio Atelier Van Lieshout created the sculptures, installations and furniture found throughout the hotel. The 5&33 gallery also hosts changing exhibitions by contemporary Dutch artists.
Modern Rooms with Canal Views
The rooms are modern and understated, in shades of grey, white, and black. Each features original laser-cut artwork by Atelier Van Lieshout, mood lighting, and a rain shower. Some rooms offer canal views, while others overlook Centraal Station or the inner courtyard.
ARCA & the 5&33 Bar
ARCA is led by Portuguese chef Henrique Sá Pessoa. It serves modern Portuguese cooking with Asian influences and is popular with locals and guests alike. The 5&33 bar hosts a daily aperitivo hour, with DJs from Wednesday to Saturday.
Pool, Sauna & Fitness
Guests can use the indoor pool, sauna, and Technogym fitness centre for free, and massages are available. A pool is a rare find this close to the station.
Enjoy breakfast under a 19th-century glass roof with views of the Royal Palace, plus a Michelin-starred restaurant, a spa, and suites with private rooftop terraces.
Luxury
Spa
Fitness centre
Restaurant
Pet friendly
Sustainable
On-site parking
Room sizes from 26 m²Read the full story
Overlooking Dam Square
The hotel sits on Dam Square, the city's historic heart, opposite the National Monument. Busy shopping streets such as Kalverstraat lead off the square. The Nine Streets, with their independent boutiques and canal-side cafés, are about a six-minute walk away, and the Flower Market is under ten. Trams stop right outside, and Centraal Station is about a 15-minute walk.
From Coffee House to Grand Hotel
Krasnapolsky began in 1856 as a coffee house opened by Adolph Wilhelm Krasnapolsky, a Polish tailor. It grew into one of Amsterdam's best-known hotels. The Wintergarden, with its high glass roof, is still its most impressive space, and Anantara has added warmer, more residential touches.
Rooms, Rooftop Terraces & Suites
Rooms start at 26 square metres and include Nespresso machines, soundproofing, and air conditioning. Premium rooms offer more space, can accommodate up to 4 guests, and some overlook Dam Square directly. Executive rooms on the rooftop have their own private terrace, and the Royal Dam View Suite overlooks the palace.
Dining with a Sense of Occasion
The White Room, dating from 1885, holds a Michelin star. Grand Café Krasnapolsky overlooks Dam Square, and breakfast is served beneath the Wintergarden's glass roof. The Tailor is a stylish evening cocktail bar.
Spa & Fitness
The Anantara Spa has a sauna, steam room, treatment rooms, and relaxation areas that open onto the Summer Garden. The Technogym fitness centre also has a climbing wall.
The Lobby draws as many locals as guests, in a stylish hotel on a theatre square just off Dam Square.
Boutique
Trendy
Restaurant
Sustainable
Room sizes from 18 m²Read the full story
In the Theatre District, off Dam Square
Hotel V sits on Nesplein, a small square on Nes, one of Amsterdam's oldest streets and home to several theatres. The narrow lane is lined with stages, cafés and bars, and comes alive in the evening. The Flower Market and Rembrandtplein are a short walk south, and the Nine Streets are about ten minutes west. Rokin metro station is about four minutes away.
Warm, Contemporary Design
The interiors are warm and contemporary, with wooden floors and walls, vintage design furniture and rich, layered textures. The lobby has a library and an open wood-burning fireplace.
Bright, Comfortable Rooms
Every room has at least one window, wooden floors and vintage furniture. The hotel's own V Dreamer beds come with premium linens, and bathrooms have rain showers. Superior rooms are more spacious, with Nespresso machines, and some have a bathtub. Suites add a seating area, and connecting rooms suit families.
The Lobby Restaurant
The Lobby serves breakfast, lunch and dinner from menus built on local produce. It draws as many locals as hotel guests. In summer, the terrace overlooks the square, and a small stage hosts occasional live music.
Two 17th-century buildings with bold, playful Dutch design, five minutes from Centraal Station and home to an acclaimed cocktail bar.
Luxury
Trendy
Fitness centre
Restaurant
Pet friendly
Sustainable
On-site parking
Room sizes from 18 m²Read the full story
Between Centraal Station & Dam Square
Kimpton De Witt is on Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal, one of the main streets into the historic centre. Centraal Station is a five-minute walk away, and Dam Square and the Royal Palace are a short walk. To the west lie the Nine Streets and the Jordaan, two of the city's most attractive neighbourhoods for shopping, cafés and canal-side strolls.
Playful Dutch Design
The hotel opened in 2017 as the first Kimpton outside the United States. Designer Jacu Strauss kept the original beamed ceilings of the two 17th-century buildings. He then added bold art, humour and plenty of references to Dutch culture.
Colourful Rooms & Family Options
Most rooms are in the modern wing, decorated in blues and greens inspired by Delft tiles, with playful touches such as bird-shaped reading lamps. Premium rooms include a triple-occupancy category, and a Premium room with two double beds can accommodate families of four. The penthouse has its own rooftop terrace, spiral staircase and fireplace.
Super Lyan & Celia
Super Lyan is the cocktail bar created by acclaimed bartender Ryan Chetiyawardana, known as Mr Lyan. It sits in a third historic townhouse and has been ranked among Europe's best bars. Upstairs, Celia serves modern American cooking with a Californian influence.
Boutiques, cafés, and canals outside the door, plus a handful of apartment-style suites in a 17th-century canal house.
Boutique
Room sizes from 32 m²Read the full story
Inside the Nine Streets
Shopping and canal strolls couldn't be more convenient. Hotel IX is on Hartenstraat, the only hotel inside the Nine Streets, a charming grid of small streets linking the main canals. Independent boutiques, vintage shops,cafés and canal-side terraces line every corner, while the Westerkerk and the Anne Frank House are a short walk away, with the Jordaan just beyond.
A 17th-Century Canal House
The historic canal house has been turned into a small, private hotel. The interiors are calm and carefully chosen. It feels more like staying in a canal-house apartment than in a conventional hotel.
Spacious Apartment-Style Suites
The hotel has only a handful of suites. Each is laid out like a small apartment, with comfortable beds and well-chosen furnishings. There is no restaurant or bar, but some of Amsterdam's best cafés and restaurants are within a few minutes' walk.
Once a convent, an admiralty, and the city hall, it is now a hotel with a courtyard garden, pool, and hammam.
Luxury
Swimming pool
Spa
Fitness centre
Restaurant
Pet friendly
Sustainable
On-site parking
Room sizes from 30 m²Read the full story
Between Two Canals in the Old Centre
Few hotels put you this close to Amsterdam's beginnings. The Grand stands between two canals in the city's oldest quarter, where narrow streets lead to Nieuwmarkt, its medieval Waag and busy café terraces. Dam Square is a few minutes away on foot, the Nine Streets are a pleasant walk through the centre, and Rokin metro station is close by. Yet behind its gates, all is surprisingly calm.
Six Centuries of History
Parts of the building date back to a 15th-century convent. It later served as the Admiralty headquarters and, for most of the 20th century, as Amsterdam's City Hall. Princess Beatrix married Prince Claus here in 1966. Original architectural features sit alongside polished interiors with a French touch.
Spacious Rooms & Suites
Rooms start at a generous 30 square metres, with high ceilings and large windows. The interiors blend modern luxury with art and references to the building's history. Larger rooms and suites add canal views and extra space.
Bridges, Oriole & the Courtyard Garden
Bridges is the hotel's main restaurant, and Oriole offers Mediterranean dishes in a more relaxed setting. In warmer months, the secluded courtyard garden is a lovely place to eat or drink.
Spa, Pool & Hammam
Set over two floors, the Sofitel SPA is a peaceful escape in the heart of the old city. The heated indoor pool features a jet stream, plus a Jacuzzi, sauna, and traditional hammam. Treatments range from facials and body scrubs to Ayurvedic rituals, with couples' rooms. A quiet relaxation room completes the experience, and a fitness centre is on hand for a workout.
Sleep where Rembrandt's Night Watch once hung, with the Amstel outside and the Flower Market minutes away.
Luxury
Restaurant
Sustainable
Room sizes from 16 m²Read the full story
On the Amstel in the Historic Centre
In a prime spot on the Amstel, Tivoli Doelen sits in the heart of the historic centre. The Flower Market, with its floating stalls of tulips and bulbs, is a few minutes away. Rembrandtplein, lively with cafés and bars, is nearby. Dam Square and the Nine Streets are an easy walk, and Rokin metro station is just 350 metres from the hotel.
A Building with Rembrandt History
The hotel stands on the site of the Kloveniersdoelen, the militia headquarters for which Rembrandt painted The Night Watch. The painting hung here for more than 70 years before moving to the Rijksmuseum. The wall where it hung is now part of the Rembrandt Suite.
Classic Rooms & Suites with Canal Views
Rooms combine historic character with marble bathrooms and Natura Bissé toiletries. Some have balconies, and the Superior and Deluxe room categories feature canal views. The Rembrandt Suite has its own balcony with canal views, making it a fine choice for a special occasion.
Restaurant & Bar
The restaurant's menu draws inspiration from Rembrandt's palette and uses locally sourced ingredients. After dinner, the bar is a comfortable spot for a drink with views of the water.
