Background

Open since April, this is Hyatt’s third property in the Netherlands, the others being the Andaz Amsterdam Prinsengracht and Hyatt Place Amsterdam Airport.

What’s it like?

The hotel has a modern, new-build exterior, but once inside casts a totally different spell. Along one side of reception and reaching into the bar area is a “living wall” with green plants, while a variety of attractive lighting features hang from the ceiling. The back of the bar has floor-to-ceiling windows, so when you enter from the street you can see right the way through the hotel to the tree-lined Singelgracht canal beyond. It’s an inviting space, helped by the staff, who are smartly dressed and smile as they welcome you.

When I visited in May, the hotel had been open only for a few weeks yet was close to full with attendees of the Next Web Conference – casually dressed, confident tech workers, many with quite complicated eating requirements, judging by the conversations over breakfast. The hotel coped admirably.

Where is it?

In the leafy, residential Plantage district, a short walk from the Weesperplein metro station (three stops to Centraal station, which connects to the airport). It is also close to several mainline train stations (including Muiderpoort and Amstel) and you can easily hop on a tram to visit the Rijksmuseum, for instance.

Room facilities

The hotel’s 211 rooms, which include 15 suites, range in size from 23 sqm up to 126 sqm. The categories are Standard (23-30 sqm), View (30 sqm), Regency Club (30-40 sqm) and then various types of suite.

Rooms offer either a king or twin beds, and all come with good showers (both rain and power-showerheads). Designs are clean and modern, saved from anonymity by eye-catching floral artwork on the walls and brighter colours for the armchairs. There’s an attractive, useful oval workdesk with a lamp, and the lighting is easy to operate and to switch off last thing at night.

Club room and suite guests have access to the second-floor Club lounge, which has views along Roetersstraat – a simple breakfast is served here as well as drinks and snacks in the evening.

Restaurants and bars

Mama Makan is an Indonesian-style bar and restaurant, with head chef Paul Verheul offering a fusion of traditional Dutch café fare and Indonesian specialities. It is delicious, if pricey. The bar is a kind of wraparound area extending from the restaurant around the reception and then through to the lobby. It’s an open work and leisure space, serving everything from cocktails to Javanese coffee. There is also a terrace at the rear of the hotel and a 24-hour “market” (a fridge) where you can purchase drinks and bakery items.

Meeting facilities

The hotel has a good range of business and meeting facilities, accessed by a separate street entrance. The spaces total more than 500 sqm and most have natural light and are located on the ground floor. The largest is a 190 sqm ballroom with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the Singelgracht canal.

Leisure facilities

There is a 24-hour fitness centre on the ground floor looking towards the rear of the hotel and the canal.

Verdict

A lovely addition to Amsterdam’s fast-expanding hotel scene. It’s a little way out for sight-seeing but for business facilities and top-class service, the Hyatt Regency is a great place to stay.

FACT FILE

  • PRICE Internet rates for a flexible midweek stay in September started from €273 for a Standard King room.
  • CONTACT Sarphatistraat 104; tel +31 (0)20 554 1234; amsterdam.regency.hyatt.com