BACKGROUND
Movenpick was originally a Swiss hotel brand dating back to the 1940s, well known for its restaurants. It expanded to 85 hotels worldwide and was bought by Accor in 2018, and so is now a member of the Accor Live Limitless (ALL) loyalty programme.
WHERE IS IT?
In the Eastern Docks area, about a 15-minute walk from Centraal Station to the waterfront of the river Ij. To one side of the hotel is the Muziekgebouw for classical music and the Bimhuis for jazz. On the other side is the Cruise Passenger Terminal. It is a location I didn’t know before, but it is surprisingly central and very convenient for transport options, not least Eurostar, which is gradually increasing services from London.
WHAT’S IT LIKE?
The hotel was opened around 15 years ago, designed by architects Claus en Kaan. It’s a solid block on the waterfront, with the Movenpick logo on top – useful if you are walking from Centraal Station as there is no chance of getting lost. In reception, there is a gift shop and seating area to the left, and the bar and one of the restaurants to the right. Check-in was swift, and there are four lifts serving the 20 floors of the hotel.
One of the major draws of this hotel is the views from the upper floors. Best of all are those looking back towards the Centraal Station and along the course of the wide river Ij, but they are all pretty special and very different from what you would expect in Amsterdam being right in the heart of the 19th century port, albeit now redeveloped.
ROOMS
The majority of the 408 rooms are a standard size (26 sqm) with the differences mainly in the views. There are 195 Classic rooms on the lower floors and 96 Superior rooms on the higher floors. On the 19th and 20th floors, 48 Executive rooms have better views and more amenities, such as a Nespresso coffee machine, and bathrobe and slippers. They also have access to the Executive Lounge on the second floor next to the Movenpick restaurant. Once Covid is behind us, breakfast will be served there along with drinks and snacks from 1700-1900.
There are also 30 Junior Suites (38 sqm) and one Ambassador Suite on the third floor, which is 57 sqm. There are 38 rooms kitted out for the Movenpick Sleep Programme with soundproofing and adjustable beds – details at movenpick.com/en/europe/sleep.
Rooms have a split of showers or bath and shower combined, along with eco dispensers on the walls, though high category rooms also have individual toiletries. The refurbished rooms on floors 10-18 are extremely comfortable and have been very well designed.
The work desk had three plug points, three USB charging points, an ethernet cable socket and a HDMI cable socket to connect a laptop to the large flat screen Samsung TV. There were further plugs on either side of the bed, including another USB charging point.
FOOD AND DRINK
The Movenpick Restaurant on the second floor serves breakfast and, after Covid, evening meals. For now breakfast is served there 0630-1030, and food is available at the ground floor bar from 1100-2200.
MEETINGS
There are outstanding meeting facilities on the whole of the second floor, including an outdoor terrace with views across the river. The hotel has a strong emphasis on sustainability – a brochure can be downloaded from the hotel’s website detailing all its measures.
LEISURE
On the mezzanine floor is a small gym with a sauna, which was closed at the time of writing because of Covid.
VERDICT
This is an excellent hotel, centrally located and yet with probably the best views of any hotel in Amsterdam. Perfect for arriving by Eurostar and with a quick connection from the station to Amsterdam Schiphol.
FACT FILE
- BEST FOR The views and watching the passing ships going up and down the Ij
- DON’T MISS Next to the hotel there is a cycle rental outlet – cycle out through the western docks away from cars, then cycle back into town like a local
- PRICE Internet rates for a flexible midweek stay in February 2022 started from £108 for a Classic King room
- CONTACT Movenpick Hotel Amsterdam City Centre, Piet Heinkade 11, 1019 BR Amsterdam; +31 (0) 20 519 1200; movenpick.com
