L L L L L L L L L L L L L L L L L L L L L L L L L L L L L L L L L L L L L L L L L L TABLE OF CONTENTS - 8 - DOWN TO EARTH LUXURY Rooms with a view and glamorous suites - 22 - STARS A LA CARTE Great chefs and distinctive tables - 30 - DIAMONDS ARE FOREVER Where to find the most precious gems - 36 - BODY AND SOUL Relax at the city’s most exclusive spas - 42 - TREASURED MASTERPIECES Iconic paintings from the grand museums - 48 - MADE TO MEASURE Unique designs and bespoke clothing - 56 - PRIVATE EYE Private museums and art collections - 62 - FOR THE FINEST GOODS Explore Amsterdam’s high-end shopping streets - 68 - TRAVEL IN STYLE By roads, air, water, and horse carriage - 74 - CALENDAR OF EVENTS The year’s best of arts, fashion and design - 78 - LIST OF ADDRESSES Find a lot more inspiration and information at iamsterdam.com/luxury 4 5 RENAISSANCE “The general Magazine of Europe” is how William Temple, English Ambassador to the Dutch Republic in the late 17th century, described Amsterdam. Nowhere, he claimed, could one find a bigger collection of precious wares, from Persian silks to Chinese pottery. Three centuries later, his words and sentiment still ring true. In the past decade, Amsterdam has quietly become a Luxury destination that measures up to any other. Drawn to the attraction of the beautifully preserved and unique Unesco World Heritage Canal Ring, the world’s finest hotel chains have opened up an establishment here. Michelin stars, the standard of culinary excellence, have rained down on Amsterdam restaurants. And shopping has definitely entered the glitzy stage, with PC Hooftstraat and Van Baerlestraat matching the likes of Rodeo Drive, but with added unique offerings from the world of renowned Dutch design. Let us inspire you to join the Amsterdam Renaissance and explore its luxury. Visit iamsterdam.com/luxury for more inspiration. FRANS VAN DER AVERT CEO, Amsterdam Marketing 7 6 LUXURY HOTELS Down to earth luxury Five-star hotels in many world cities may revel in flamboyance, but not in Amsterdam. Here, guests are treated to old-fashioned luxury with all the services, and perhaps a private cinema thrown in. The Royal Suite of the NH Collection Grand Hotel Krasnapolsky offers spectacular views over the city’s central Dam Square. > by Ivo Weyel 8 LUXURY HOTELS DE L’EUROPE HOTEL AMSTERDAM the Penthouse Suite in Hotel de L’Europe Amsterdam features no fewer than six beds, in six bedrooms, each with its own bathroom. ------------ CONSERVATORIUM HOTEL Located in the heart of the Museum District, the Conservatorium Hotel is swathed in the riches of Amsterdam’s classical culture while keeping a finger on its trendiest beats. Its signature suites such as the Penthouse offer unparalleled views over the city. ------------ LUXURY HOTELS INTERCONTINENTAL AMSTEL AMSTERDAM View over the River Amstel ------------ ho has the biggest, For weathered rockers, footballers and the most fabulous, the most expensive? financial moguls, Hotel Sofitel Legend The Hotels around the world claim to offer the Grand Amsterdam finds a formula to fit most luxurious suites on Earth. Four zeros their needs with discretion. “A big-name rock mean private lifts, private chefs, butlers, group has been staying here for days, but we bulletproof glass, helicopter landing pads, aren’t broadcasting it,” says Kees Hogetoorn, private pools and €100,000 chandeliers. That Director of Sales & Marketing. Each band is a global standard. member has his own Canal House Suite, The Netherlands is more sober. It’s in the located in three historic merchant houses national DNA. Luxury is all fine and dandy, from the 17th century, each with its own Wbut here it cannot be brash or vulgar. Think canalside entrance. Admiral Tromp, a Dutch functional, not superfluous: no gold taps. maritime hero from the days of the Spanish That is precisely what makes Amsterdam’s Armada, lived in one of these during the 17th suites so unique. This is straightforward, century. As Hogetoorn underlines, “What we down-to-earth luxury. have is history and distinguished provenance.” The canal houses at The Pulitzer Amsterdam have been converted into its Weergaloze Suites (Unparalleled Suites) – each with its own canal access, each individually designed and decorated. The Art Collector’s Suite is filled with contemporary works of art, the Book Collector’s Suite has a private library, and the Music Collector’s Suite displays musical instruments on the wall. “Our guests < INTERCONTINENTAL truly feel as if they’re living along the canal, AMSTEL AMSTERDAM and they just love it,” says a hotel spokesman. The Intercontinental Amstel is “They can sit on their own private stoop at Amsterdam’s oldest grand hotel, the end of the day, glass of wine in hand, and magnificently situated at the banks of look at the boats, just like an Amsterdammer.” the River Amstel. The Dom Pérignon Suite offers a sumptuous retreat after exploring the area. ------------ 13 LUXURY HOTELS PULITZER HOTEL The canal houses at The Pulitzer Amsterdam have been converted into its Weergaloze Suites (Unparalleled Suites), each with its own canal access, each individually designed and decorated. ------------ ANDAZ AMSTERDAM PRINSENGRACHT Renowned Dutch designer Marcel Wanders’ interiors resemble something out of a fairy tale, with enormous antique wardrobes, chandeliers and cupboards stacked with Dutch-themed treasures. ------------ LUXURY HOTELS “She doesn’t need it where she lives anyway,” says Sales & Marketing Director Hogetoorn. “When she comes, we move her clothes into her suite so they’re ready before she arrives. When she leaves, everything is steamed and WALDORF ASTORIA AMSTERDAM pressed, then stored away until her next visit.” View from the Herengracht One guest at the Royal Suite of the ------------ InterContinental Amstel Hotel once asked to have no less (and no more) than 27 trash cans in their accommodation. “Naturally, we obliged,” insists the manager. “And he actually did use every one of them!” In addition, all the The Waldorf Astoria can also lay claim to a windows have bulletproof glass, and half the fair amount of city history. Accompanying surrounding floor of the hotel can be closed its restaurant of two Michelin stars, Librije’s off. These days, security and celebrity go hand Zusje, a row of 17th-century canal houses in hand. contains premium suites named after Beds are always the distinguishing factor. In illustrious Amsterdam families Roëll, Backer the Suite Provocateur at Hotel de L’Europe and Van Loon. This latter is a duplex suite Amsterdam, a round bed sits under a starlit with a private 17th-century spiral staircase, sky like in a scene from van Gogh, sparkling lending access to a Guerlain Spa and pool hundreds of little lights, while the view out directly from the bathrooms. The hotel, in takes in the real Amsterdam night sky. No typical Dutch style, has implemented comfort fewer than six beds, in six bedrooms, feature instead of extravagance when choosing its in the Penthouse Suite, each with its own fittings. There are hand showers everywhere bathroom. The InterContinental Amstel instead of the erstwhile popular rain variety. provides its Executive River View Suite “Women prefer to shower without getting with a unique FreshBed whose ultra-modern their hair wet,” explains the manager. technology enables the thermostat to regulate However peculiar these Amsterdam suites the temperature of the mattress. The warmer might be, there’s no skimping on service. Guests are contacted prior to arrival to make specific requirements such as brand of champagne, music, type of pillow or favorite flowers. Many hotels can arrange swift customs transit for guests of their suites, circumventing any delay at Schiphol, as well as personal accompaniment directly from WALDORF ASTORIA AMSTERDAM > aircraft stairway to hotel entrance. The Van Loon suite at Amsterdam’s Any more specific requests? At Sofitel Legend Waldorf Astoria hotel - named after The Grand Amsterdam, a regular guest flies an illustrious Amsterdam family - has in from the Caribbean, and has a whole winter a private 17th-century spiral staircase, wardrobe permanently stored at the hotel. lending direct access to the Guerlain Spa and pool. ------------ 16 LUXURY HOTELS SOFITEL LEGEND THE GRAND AMSTERDAM The Canal House Suites in Sofitel Legend The Grand Amsterdam are located in three historic merchant houses from the 17th century, each with its own canalside entrance. ------------ LUXURY SUITES AMSTERDAM Luxury Suites offers only… luxury suites, plush with satin and velvet, soft and subdued in shade. Each has its own kitchenette. Enlarged Dutch Masters adorn the walls.. ------------ LUXURY HOTELS HOME OF REMBRANDT’S NIGHT WATCH the guest at night, the cooler the mattress becomes. The air is filtered and humidity maintained. This takes sleeping, and waking, to a whole new level. A magnum, chilled and robust, awaits new arrivals at the Amstel’s Dom Pérignon Suite, decorated with prints on DE L’EUROPE AMSTERDAM Experience a unique entréeDE into L’EUROPE the Amsterdam of yesterday AMSTERDAM and today when you arrive at De L’Europe. With its prime location along the Amstel River and in walking distance of the refined Museum Quarter, De loan from the Rijksmuseum. L’Europe is synonymous withView Dutch history. from Opened inthe 1896, De River L’Europe has beenAmstel favoured by Amsterdam’s elite and the world’s most celebrated names. Admire true replicas from Dutch Masters in all rooms and suites at the historical Rondeel building and the contemporary Dutch Masters Wing, including the 6-Bedroom At the Conservatorium Hotel, a sliding ladder Presidential Suite. Enjoy culinary highlights at the award-winning------------ restaurants and bars or spoil yourself with bespoke beauty treatments at the spa. Feel at home in this 19th century treasure while exploring a modern of upgrades allows anyone reserving a suite to vibrant city.