Museumplein
Rooms with canal views may affirm a quintessential sense of place in Amsterdam, but seasoned visitors to the ‘Venice of the North’ can enjoy this cool alternative to those waterways. Formed from three conjoined historical townhouses on a tree-lined avenue in the museum quarter, the vibe here at the Jan Luyken hotel is smart yet homely. At the entrance a kitchen island doubles as a reception desk where young, laidback staff direct guests to one of 31 snugly proportioned rooms. Their large windows and creaking floorboards heave with history yet the decor is a modernist melange of zingy, black-and-white patterned carpets, colourful velvet chairs, tasselled light fixtures, scarlet bedside telephones and tongue-in-cheek wall art. Back on the ground floor, the terracotta dining room-kitchen is the venue for top-notch self-service breakfasts and all-day grazing on assorted snacks, beers, wines and pre-made cocktails. Given that these goodies are all included in the room rate it’s a miracle anyone leaves the premises at all, quite frankly. The gym, snug library, rear lounge and garden hold further allure for homebodies, but the cluster of nearby attractions – including the Van Gogh Museum and Rijksmuseum – provide just enough incentive to peel oneself off the sofas. Noo Saro-Wiwa
Address: Jan Luijkenstraat 58, 1071 CS Amsterdam
Price: Rooms from around £180 per night.