Alfred “Freddy” Heineken bought the hotel in the 1950s, and there are nostalgic nods to his legacy found throughout the property. Today, the lavish hotel is home to a prime location along the Amstel River,\u00a0a\u00a0two-star\u00a0Michelin\u00a0restaurant, a spa with a pool, themed suites, and more.<\/p>\n
First impressions:\u202fI was already pleased with the short walk from the metro (lugging\u00a0a\u00a0suitcase along cobblestone streets is not for the faint of heart) when I arrived at De\u00a0L’Europe.\u00a0I was greeted by the kind\u00a0doorman\u00a0before making my way through the revolving door into the impressive lobby, which is like a step back in time. Think crystal chandeliers, framed art hanging on the walls, plush sofas, and a piano.\u00a0The highlight is at the end: wall-to-wall floor-length windows that overlook the Amstel River.\u00a0Check-in was a breeze, and I was even offered a tour of the property to help get me acclimated.\u00a0<\/p>\n
(How Amsterdam bar life helped shape the Dutch capital\u2014and still does<\/a>)<\/p>\n Essential information:\u202fThe hotel is the first in the country to earn three Michelin Keys.\u00a0Because of this, make dining reservations before you go, especially if you want to eat at Flore.\u00a0Also, the front door to the hotel is locked at night, but the front desk will let you in when you buzz.<\/p>\n My room:\u202fI stayed in\u00a0the Amsterdam Fashion Week suite, which is one of\u00a0the\u00a0exceptional\u00a0‘t Huys suites\u00a0at the property.\u00a0Danie Bles (the founder of Amsterdam Fashion Week) curated the suite’s decor, which includes\u00a0a mix of modern\u00a0art;\u00a0fashion magazines to flip through;\u00a0and\u00a0the best part\u2014(pre-loved) fashion pieces that you can wear or purchase\u00a0during your stay.\u00a0During my stay, the space had been transformed with a pop-up by curator curator Heleen H\u00fclsmann and her brands Salon Heleen H\u00fclsmann and DYO.<\/p>\n The spacious suite\u00a0(around 50-60 square meters; standard rooms start at 25 square meters)\u00a0comes with a living room that overlooks the Amstel River, a grand bathroom complete with a large soaking tub, and a bedroom tucked away in the back, for complete quiet.\u00a0The Coco-Mat bed is heavenly.\u00a0<\/p>\n The Amsterdam Fashion Week suite includes couture pieces that you can wear or purchase. De L’Europe<\/p>\n Dining and drinking:\u202fThe hotel is home to Freddy’s Bar,\u00a0named after Alfred “Freddy” Heineken, who was a regular.\u00a0Make sure you start or end your night here with a drink and some live jazz.\u00a0You’ll\u00a0also find Italian fare at Trattoria Graziella,\u00a0the speakeasy Chapter 1896, and riverside-dining at Brasserie Marie.\u00a0Order the oysters, which are sourced from\u00a0Holland, and ask your waiter for a wine recommendation\u2014the\u00a0hotel’s\u00a0cellar\u00a0contains\u00a0more than 1,250 labels.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n The star of the show, though, is\u00a0Flore. Flore holds two Michelin stars and a Green Michelin\u00a0star and\u00a0was named the\u00a02024\u00a0Vegetable Restaurant of the Year\u00a0by Gault & Millau. The restaurant is helmed by chef Bas van Kranen, who is celebrated for his sustainable culinary practices and his commitment to Dutch micro-seasonality, foraging\u00a0and sourcing hyperlocal ingredients from around Holland.\u00a0Van Kranen’s signature dish features 25 different vegetables that change weekly, based on the micro seasons.<\/p>\n Chef Bas van Kranen is at the helm of Flore, a mostly vegetarian restaurant that prioritizes the Dutch micro seasons. De L’Europe<\/p>\n Amenities:\u202fThe hotel has an on-site shop that is part of the\u00a0‘t\u00a0Huys (an older spelling of “het huis,” which translates to “house” in Dutch) concept, which also includes a collection of\u00a0bespoke suites. The hotel also offers connecting rooms and a kid’s program called Little Marie, for those traveling with children. The spa includes treatment rooms for wellness and beauty, and also has a heated pool on the lower floor, as well as a 24-hour fitness center.<\/p>\n Not-to-miss:\u00a0Don’t miss having an espresso (or a Heineken) at Freddy’s Bar. Whether you choose to sit inside or out, the people watching and mix of locals with visitors makes it a cozy spot to spend an hour, or three.<\/p>\n (7 unique hotels in Amsterdam you have to see to believe<\/a>)<\/p>\n Sustainability:\u202fFlore and its well-earned Green Michelin star is a standout at De L’Europe. Chef Bas van Kranen’s preference for hyperlocal over luxury products is the central focus of the menu, so patrons will often find ingredients foraged or sourced from the North Sea and Wadden Sea, along with other nearby farms in Holland. Van Kranen’s passion extends to partnering with other like-minded Dutch producers who are also committed to ethical farming. The kitchen is entirely dairy free, and the eco-conscious decisions are even reflected in the decor, like the reclaimed wooden furniture.<\/p>\n The hotel proudly earned a Green Key, Gold Level, in 2006 for its sustainability practices, and in 2023 was named a Sustainability Leader by Leading Hotels of the World. De L’Europe partners with the Black Jaguar Foundation, helping conserve and protect areas across the Amazon Rainforest and Brazil, and guests are also invited to sponsor native trees, which the hotel will equally match.<\/p>\n The revolving door leads you into Hotel De L’Europe’s grand lobby. Hannah Cheney<\/p>\n What’s\u00a0nearby:\u00a0De L’Europe is in the city center, within walking distance of numerous shops and restaurants, and is also a short walk from Dam Square (the world’s first stock exchange was located nearby), the Bloemenmarkt (flower market), and Anne Frank House<\/a>. It’s also about a 15-minute walk to the Rijksmuseum<\/a>, van Gogh Museum, and the Moco Museum. The the Rokin metro station is a brief walk from the hotel, and the station connects you to other neighborhoods within the city and the country.<\/p>\n![\"Fashion](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/https:\/\/media.zenfs.com\/en\/aol_national_geographic_989\/0a9c12070b0d5ef3764400357350c341.jpeg\"\/)
<\/p>\n![\"window](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/https:\/\/media.zenfs.com\/en\/aol_national_geographic_989\/b9456434178dd6dd53a342acba2e22d7.jpeg\"\/)
<\/p>\n![\"hotel](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/https:\/\/media.zenfs.com\/en\/aol_national_geographic_989\/34cbac34febab34c62ef14306f56efb6.jpeg\"\/)
<\/p>\n