In a nutshell

Any notions of city stays being stressful will be sure to melt away the second you turn your key to one of these historic rooms. Made up of interconnecting canal houses, it’s hard to imagine finding a more charming hotel in Amsterdam than the Pulitzer, which feels like a 1920s jazz song come to life.

Three things I loved

A serene Sunday morning aboard the hotel’s saloon boat, the antique artistry of the Porcelain Collector’s Suite, and the tomato water martinis.

Rooms

Dotted throughout 25 restored townhouses from the 17th and 18th centuries, Pulitzer’s 223 rooms are connected through long, crisscrossing hallways under a glass roof, each with an old Europe feel. If you’re here for a special occasion, I’d recommend nabbing any of the five Collector’s suites, which range from the Book Collector’s to the Antique Collector’s, each appealing to a different niche for art-loving guests. We stay in the Porcelain Collector’s suite and it’s the most unique, thoughtfully designed space; the furthest cry from anything corporate, every inch of the wall is adorned with delicate Delftware I’m dying to throw into my carryon, painted statuettes and elegant glazed ceramic vases. The paintings covering the wall in our suite’s living space are equally tasteful, and it takes us hours to realise that one of the still lifes on the wall is really a cleverly concealed television. Outside the tall windows, we watch cyclists float by the canal in light trenchcoats, a Sunday morning walking church choir, and uniformed boat captains helping heeled ladies aboard. The best part of our suite is the private door leading directly out onto the street, which saves us from schlepping back to reception – and is particularly useful when you’re late to dinner across the bridge. My personal favourite touch in the room? The milk frother: a step up from your standard hotel coffee machine and perfect for those who prefer their cappuccino at home.

Ceramic statuettes adorning the Porcelain Collector’s suite

A cloud-soft bed surrounded by hand-painted Delftware

Food and drink

During a candlelit supper at Jansz, Pulitzer’s signature restaurant, we spread red roe on dashi blinis and note that everyone around us could be a book character, from the waiters to couples that spend hours engaging in conversation ranging from animated to uber-secretive. There’s an air of mystique here, perhaps the only thing that keeps you from eating too fast: from the North Sea yellowtail crudo with puffed spelt and bergamot to salmon with crispy buckwheat and Parmesan foam (a favourite), everything is delicious, and the diners among us seem to feel the same. It’s also a serene breakfast spot in the morning, where rocket and goat cheese omelettes become our go-to.

Alternatively, dining in the Pulitzer Garden – especially in the summer – is a must: the part glassed-in, part open outdoor space is perfect for long lunches. On a sunny Sunday at 2pm, we enjoy excellent caviar service, a divine langoustine risotto with burrata and basil oil and a Mediterranean-style salad with tahini crème. The pasta menu is inventive as ever and not one to opt out of: think spaghetti with Ossetra caviar and cured egg yolk, or buttery cappellacci with artichoke and morels. When we visit, The Garden has launched a collaboration with Dutch ceramicists Anna + Nina, and the assortment of glassware and hand-painted plates feels like a natural continuation of our stay in the Porcelain Collector’s suite.

To either kick off or wrap up your evening, drinks at the moody, dark-walled Pulitzer Bar are a true highlight: ask for martini olives over the regular ones when ordering bar snacks, and get the Botanist 20 (a tomato water Ketel One vodka martini) first, no matter how good everything else looks.

Highlights and experiences

Our top highlight is without a doubt our Sunday aboard the century-old Tourist, Pulitzer’s boat that feels like a world of yore when we step into its polished teak hull. There are just four of us aboard, and we spend the morning drifting down still waters listening to Edith Piaf and Artie Shaw and gazing out the bevelled glass windows as Nils, the captain, indulges us in the city’s rich history. If it weren’t 11am, we’d be tempted by a tumbler of scotch from the antique minibar.

Being the landmark it is, it’s safe to assume that Pulitzer has you sorted if you’ve come for a city-wide event in Amsterdam. It’s the start of summer 2026 when we visit, which is also the beginning of Amsterdam’s first WorldPride, and Pulitzer has a wealth of exclusive experiences ranging from LGBTQIA+ historic walking tours to a post-party micro-wellness retreat at the spa.

A Sunday aboard Pulitzer’s 1909 Tourist boat

What to do nearby

The hotel has its own bikes, which are the best (and some might argue the only) way to navigate the city at a good pace and see each of its worthwhile neighbourhoods. If you’re venturing out for a casual dinner before a night out, Kikkie van de Prinsensluis is an excellent way to experience the Amsterdam smash burger scene. Ours, which we eat while tucked into the world’s tiniest, wobbliest table above the canal, do not disappoint. On the flip side, De Kas is an ultra-elevated plant-to-plate option which spotlights vegetables harvested on the same day. We’re all about the cafés here, and love our cappuccinos at Rum Baba (a recommendation from Pulitzer’s trusty concierge, Ron) and Saint Jean Bakery. Just remember: a coffee house (where you get coffee) and coffee shop (where you get something a little more mood-inducing) are different things, so be specific about what you’re after when asking for recommendations from the locals.

The backstory

This hotel takes its name from Peter Pulitzer, grandson of the Pulitzer Prize founder, who founded the 25-canal-house establishment in 1970. It’s now considered Amsterdam’s oldest five-star hotel, and is a very delightful way to immerse yourself in the city’s history indeed.

Insider tip

Get to know Ron, the fountain of knowledge hotel concierge who looks like he always has a secret up his sleeve – which he’ll share, alongside any tips to enrich your stay. Born and bred in Amsterdam, he’s as passionate about the city as he is the hotel, and a friendly face that returning guests clearly look for on check-in.

For families

Though its sleek air could give the impression of being adults-only, the Pulitzer is as family-friendly as a hotel that doesn’t overly market itself as such can be. Other than its lovely family rooms and suites, the Pulitzer has a variety of initiatives to make children’s stays truly memorable: every ‘little’ guest is gifted a Peter Rabbit toy as a nod to Peter Pulitzer, alongside personalised welcome treats and kids’ travel diaries. The hotel organises everything from bedtime stories to a Treasure Hunt and a Very Important Kids programme, and finds ways to integrate kids into regular activities too, from Family Floats aboard the tourist to ‘Little Moments’ at the Beauty House.

Final considerations:

Can’t-miss: The comfiest beds and terrycloth robes that encourage loungingBest for: Solo travellers, a couples’ weekend getaway, familiesLocation: The Nine StreetsAccessibility: Yes. See their accessibility statement.Wellness: The operates a small but stocked gym and Beauty House, where you can book a classic massage, facial or nail appointment.Loyalty group: Lore Group