Tried & Tested

Hotel check: Andaz Amsterdam Prinsengracht

30 May 2013 by GrahamSmith

BACKGROUND Hyatt’s luxury boutique brand made its Dutch debut last October. It’s the ninth Andaz hotel – other locations are London, Shanghai and the US.

WHAT’S IT LIKE? Housed in a former public library, the 1970s canalside building has been transformed by Dutch designer Marcel Wanders with funky, stylish furnishings and lots of local touches. Enter the lobby and lounge and instead of seeing a traditional front desk, there are round tables at which the hotel’s “hosts” – reception-cum-concierge staff – wait to greet you and check you in via iPad. I was welcomed warmly and offered a glass of wine and a seat in the lounge while the formalities were done – you can also check-in in your room.

The round tables sit at the foot of a glass-roofed atrium featuring huge suspended bells and illuminated globes and rings – the “observatory” – which you get a bird’s eye view of when you use the glass-walled lifts. There’s plenty more besides to gaze upon in the public areas – from big screens showing custom-made“video art” to clog-clad stone “princes”, and rugs and walls referencing the Netherlands’ maritime history. It all hangs together well and feels homely – quite a feat for something so design-led.

WHERE IS IT? On Prinsengracht, in walking distance of many of the city’s attractions and a short taxi or tram ride from Central station.

ROOM FACILITIES Rooms come in 15 categories determined by size and view – some overlook the atrium, others the inner “Alice in Amsterdam” garden or canal. Rooms are 24 sqm-36 sqm and suites 55 sqm-141 sqm. Wanders’ quirky aesthetic is much in evidence, with one wall dominated by a print of a fish that merges variously into a glass, a spoon, a fork and so on. Instead of a separate bathroom, there are closets for the toilet and rainshower – the former’s wallpaper is covered in all manner of anecdotes about Amsterdam, certainly an informative way to spend a penny. A concrete dresser in the centre houses a handpainted Delft-inspired basin, towels, a large mirror and room for your toiletries. I found the set-up fine, though you may drip water on the floor, and there are privacy issues if you are sharing. Suites have separate bathrooms with tubs.

Facilities include a walk-in wardrobe, workdesk, free wifi and soft drinks/snacks in the minibar, an LCD TV and Geneva sound system. Book-shaped shelves house tomes you’d actually want to read – from guides to the city’s hidden gems to Stephen Fry’s The Fry Chronicles. Or, if you’re in a canal view room, simply look out of the window and watch life go by.

RESTAURANTS AND BARS Behind the atrium, Bluespoon restaurant is a buzzy spot serving “western seaboard” cuisine. I had a superb dinner, enjoying gorgeous steamed asparagus (e18) and red mullet and rocket salad (e16) to start, and a perfectly cooked Chateaubriand (e78 for two), with some lovely wine pairings. A good continental and à la carte breakfast is also served here. Bluespoon bar has a “speakeasy” theme, while a complimentary wine hour takes place 5pm-7pm in the cosy library.

BUSINESS AND MEETING FACILITIES These comprise the 130-capacity Studio 1, which looks on to the garden and connects to the 100-capacity Gallery, and three smaller rooms.

LEISURE FACILITIES On the lower ground floor – the hotel’s “red light district”, all crimson walls and carpets – is a spa with two treatment rooms and a gym featuring lots of natural light from the garden above. Jogging and cycling maps can be provided, and bicycles can be borrowed for free.

VERDICT An excellent addition to Amsterdam’s high-end hotel portfolio, with memorable design, attentive, friendly service and an attractive canalside location.


FACT FILE

HOW MANY ROOMS? 122 – a mixture of queens, kings, Garden View, Large Garden View, Canal View, Garden View Terrace, Large Canal View rooms, and Andaz, Andaz Large and Prinsengracht suites.

HIGHLIGHTS The imaginative interiors, free wifi, soft drinks and snacks, and excellent restaurant.

PRICE Internet rates for a flexible midweek stay in July started from £255 for a King room.

CONTACT Prinsengracht 587; tel +31 205 231 234; amsterdam.prinsengracht.andaz.com.


Michelle Mannion

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