Hotel Snapshot
It took ten years of meticulous restoration before the Rosewood Amsterdam opened its historic doors, yet the hotel feels fresh and modern. Originally built in 1665 on the canal as an orphanage, it became the Palace of Justice in 1829, until it was abandoned in 2013. The hotel, which is the final permitted hotel development allowed within the city’s monumental buildings, brings unrestrained luxury to a city that’s often known for partying.
Because the building’s landmarked status constrained renovations, the design incorporates details like grand staircases and ornate tiles, yet still exudes a playful presence thanks to more than 1,000 pieces of art and a fairytale-like inner courtyard. The hotel’s 134 rooms frame the courtyard or the canal, offering spacious digs in a prime location on the picturesque Prinsengracht, or Prince’s Canal. A restaurant, bar, spa, gallery space, and library ensure guests have plenty of places to relax.
Design & Character
The neo-classical building was designed by Melchior van Herbach, a noted Dutch architect of the 17th century, with intricate woodwork, large windows, decorative ceilings, and granite columns that have been preserved.
Dutch company Studio Piet Boon was responsible for the hotel’s design, which was inspired by the city and certain landmarks, like the Rijksmuseum. The lobby, which feels like a comfy (albeit luxurious) living room, has plenty of seating nooks and candy bowls and dozens of works of art in various forms, from paintings to sculptures to digital, made by Dutch and international artists.
Guests are confronted with interactive art right at the hotel’s entrance, with the multipart metal sculpture Statica by Studio Molen (Frederik Molenschot), which references the city and its inhabitants. Guests can move little people-like objects around the building-like frames—something my kids did every time we left and returned to the hotel. A long hallway leads from the entrance, through the lobby, and to a back room with a massive digital art piece. Tucked away under the stairs there is the Art Vending Machine by Casper Braat, which is a working vending machine offering limited edition marble sculptural objects iconic to Amsterdam including fries, stroopwafel, cheese, and canal houses, priced between 475 and 1,000 Euros for the ultimate souvenir.
Other notable works of art include a Faan Olgers commissioned sculpture of four wooden pillars titled Mystery Guest; two large, wooden reliefs from the 1970s by Frank Stella; and Maarten Baas’ hypnotic Grandmother Clock by the reception desk, with a digital dial featuring a Dutch grandmother painting the hands of the clock, then sweeping them away again. Outside the Grand Library, which was once the courtroom, is the companion piece, Grandfather Clock. At the back of the library is a hanging tapestry inspired by Rembrandt’s famous painting The Night Watch, the original of which hangs in the nearby Rijksmuseum.
Celebrated landscape architect Piet Oudolf (The High Line in New York, Lurie Garden in Chicago, Serpentine Gallery in London) designed the courtyard gardens, which are a lovely place for a stroll or sit on the metallic couch. Look up to find a cute cat sculpture hanging from one of the windows.
The Rooms
There are 88 rooms, 41 suites, and 5 Houses, which are stand-ins for presidential suites. Headboards are made from a pleated silk and furniture include a large vanity with Dyson hairdryer, velvet sitting poufs, and overstuffed couches in a palette of grays and deep blues. Minibars are stocked with the housemade genever, which is distilled in the bar downstairs. In a nod to the Netherland’s floral heritage, fresh flowers—seen all around the hotel—are strategically placed throughout rooms as well.
Food & Drink
The hotel is home to the restaurant Eeuwen, which is open for breakfast lunch and dinner. It serves a selection of Dutch and international fare, such as grilled langoustines, whole turbot, and tortellini with zucchini, with seafood sourced from Zeeland. In addition to eggs and yogurt, breakfast offers an array of local Dutch cheeses and poffertjes, Dutch mini pancakes.
The bar Advocatuur is a moody space with dark blue walls, patterned seating, and a long marble bar serving craft cocktails and Indian bites from a tandoor oven. On one end is a large copper still, where the hotel makes its own genever, the Dutch precursor to gin. Cocktail names make playful references to the bulding’s judicial past—see Mercy, Lady of Justice, and J’Accuse, which features The Macallen 12-year Scotch, barley, nori verjus, and chocolate.
Spa & Wellness
Asaya Spa is Rosewood’s spa brand and here it’s tucked away on the basement level. A long, glowing indoor heated pool and hot tub are framed by white archways and covered by a glass ceiling, letting in natural light from the courtyard above, making a lovely setting to relax. There is also a sauna, steam room, fitness center, and studio offering Pilates, Yoga, and Barre classes. Treatments are a mix of Eastern and Western, using products by Subtle Energies and Barbara Sturm for facials, and local organic brand The|Tides, which utilizes seaweed and algae and is used in three signature massage treatments.
The Amenities
There’s the aforementioned spa, pool, and fitness center with classes, as well as a cute lending library of books tucked upstairs, outside the Grand Library event space. A section of the lobby has a glass pastry case and coffee bar during the daytime and drinks are served there in the evening.
In addition to the more than 1,000 pieces of art around the hotel, there’s a small gallery space on the ground floor, hidden behind the large digital artwork screen, near the vending machine, which hosts rotating exhibits.
The hotel also has its own wooden salon boat, also designed by Piet Boon, which is bookable for canal tours.
Location & Neighborhood
Located in Amsterdam’s historic Canal District, along the Prinsengracht Canal, just wandering around the area will net you lovely views of historic canal houses along the water. Its centrally located, and just a short walk away from the Vondelpark, one of the city’s largest green spaces, as well as the Museumplein, which is home to the Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum, and the Stedlijk Museum. In the other direction, it’s also not far from Dam Square, the Royal Palace, and the Anne Frank House.
Fast Facts
Location: Amsterdam, the Netherlands
Rating: 5 stars
Rooms: 88 rooms, 41 suites, and 5 houses
The Vibe: Art-filled modern luxury and sleek design tucked inside a historic building with ornate touches that’s not too over-the-top.
Food + Drink: An all-day restaurant called Eeuwen with locally sourced ingredients, plus a chic cocktail bar that distills its own genever.
Amenities: Indoor pool, spa, and gym, plus courtyard garden and canal boat.
Our Favorite Thing About the Hotel: The vibrant art collection. Each corner reveals a new piece, and many are interactive.
What’s Nearby: Vondelpark, the Museumplein, and Dam Square are all within a 20-minute-or-less walk. And the hotel is on the beautiful Prinsengracht Canal.
Any personal neighborhood recs?: Right by the hotel, grab coffee at Bocca Coffee, and Eggs Benaddicted is a cute café for breakfast. The Pantry is a favorite restaurant for Dutch specialties. Stop at Kaasspeciaalzaak Henri Willig for Dutch cheeses, including Gouda.
Pricing: Rooms from $998 per night
Closest Airport: Amsterdam Airport Schiphol is about a 25-minute drive away, or 35 minutes by public transport.
