where we stayed: Amsterdam

Intercontinental Amstel Amsterdam lobby
Can’t believe we didn’t take more pictures of this lovely lobby, but visit the hotel website for additional views

When we’d decided to visit Amsterdam, we had no idea of the neighborhoods or best areas to stay, so we relied heavily on Tripadvisor.com reviews. The Intercontinental Amstel was well-reviewed, and we loved the idea of “grand hotel” historical ambience.

When we checked in, the woman who showed us to our room explained that the hotel had been built in the 1860’s, when hoop skirts were in fashion, so the hallways had been built extra wide to allow women to pass easily through two abreast….

Intercontinental Amstel hallways

Our river view room was spacious, quiet and utterly charming with this toile wallpaper and bedding. The bathroom was large and well-appointed.

Intercontinental Amstel Amsterdam room

The staff was gracious and accommodating and concierge service was personal and very helpful. (Special thanks and appreciation to Aad Van Der Berg, who was so kind and concerned on the day when I was not feeling well.) There were full-sized umbrellas available at the entrance for guests, as well as bicycles on request, and the breakfast buffet included a pancake trolley (which le Monsieur assured me was outstanding).

Intercontinental Amstel Amsterdam

This was the view from our breakfast table. We watched boats coming and going along the Amstel river.

Intercontinental Amstel La Rive

We did not dine at the hotel’s restaurant, La Rive, but it does look lovely.

Intercontinental Amstel Amsterdam

One afternoon when we ordered a mint tea, this is what we received: freshly picked mint, hot water, honey and some lovely biscuits. This is how it’s done, people.

Prince Charles at Intercontinental Amstel

Apparently we’re not the only ones who like this place; it’s where British royalty stay when visiting Amsterdam. Sadly, we didn’t run into them in the bar.

Intercontinental Amstel Amsterdam river view

And could this be any lovelier at dusk?

While it’s not as centrally located as some spots, we appreciated the quiet neighborhood, and there were several trolley stops within a few blocks, so we could get anywhere in the city within a matter of minutes.

We’d highly recommend the Intercontinental Amstel Amsterdam. It was a wonderful experience all around.

Have you visited Amsterdam? Where did you stay?

This review was unsolicited and I did not receive any compensation or consideration. All opinions are my own.

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19 Comments

  1. I think it is a fine location. You have certainly noticed that the city would fit into many a neighbourhood of LA, and that there are tram lines everywhere, if you are tired of walking. There are some grand old hotels closer to the Centraal Station, but that area can be a bit dodgy. Another area a bit west of there you might like is the Museum Quarter. There are fine hotels, but nothing that exalted. I’ve been on several extended stays in Amsterdam, but not in a hotel.

  2. Very nice!
    We stayed in a hotel that was reached from a narrow steep set of stairs -no bellboy, no elevator- run by Asians in the central part of the old city. The linens left me understanding why a person might buy a tightly woven silk sleep sack such as LL Bean sells, to avoid contact with anything that might be sharing the bed! If you get old in Amsterdam and can’t climb stairs you’d be in trouble.

    These days we still stick to husband’s budget, but I consult Trip Adviser extensively before booking. I read reviews before booking and make a point to read the “average” reviews. I feel they give you a realistic idea of what a place will be like. You can send people who write reviews messages. If I see a recent review and have a question about something -is the Wi-Fi any good, or should I book this or that room- I send the writer a message. I find that by the time I’ve got a trip put together I’m familiar with the place and I think it helps me be oriented when I arrive.

    1. Ginger, I don’t have the budget for the Intercontinental either, but there are many cleaner and more pleasant places available for a modest budget. There are accessible accomodations for people with mobility limitations, but it is true that steep stairs (as on ships) are the rule in Amsterdam.

  3. This is a beautiful hotel! I have never been to Amsterdam but will make note of this place to stay in case I make it there someday. Thanks for sharing.

  4. Hi Susan, GORGEOUS post. Thank you for taking us along on your travels. If I ever have the opportunity to go I will know where to stay and what to wear in Europe!

  5. These are some gorgeous shots. Wow! Thanks for sharing. Thank you also for joining Adrienne and me for “How I Wear My: Clutch.” Also, unrelated side note, where is my buddy Lars hiding himself these days? I need a hit of Lars in one of your outfit posts! xx

  6. Gorgeous hotel! Just the kind of place we like to intersperse with either rentals or trendy little boutique places. It’s nice to know there are still bastions of civility, excellent service and elegant environs to which one can retreat and expect and receive such standards. I also rely on reviews, either TA or others and try to pay it forward by reviewing places we’ve visited or services we’ve engaged, such as guides.

    Re your royals mention, be glad they weren’t there, as we had a much anticipated and advance booked afternoon tea cancelled at the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel in Mumbai due to just that pictured couple taking over the entire Sea Lounge for THEIR tea!!

  7. I love Amsterdam! What a charming, clean, safe city! We stayed at a B&B called the Posthoorn, right on Prinsengracht–found on Trip Advisor. The proprietor, Francois, lives with his family on the upstairs floors, and he is a lovely host. The location is fantastic–about 3 or 4 blocks from the Anne Frank House, as I recall. We had the first floor room facing the canal. The room itself and bathroom were a bit small, but we were out and about so much that it didn’t matter to us.

  8. Many. many years ago when this septuagenarian was a university student, there was a magic summer spent bumming around Europe. My strategy was to stay in the best hotels and eat frugally. One of the most cherished memories was of the Amstel, still recovering from the war but a true grande dame. Have been back several times since and she never fails to charm. Glad you found her.

  9. During our Paris trip last year, we took a side trip to Amsterdam. We stayed at the Park Hotel, located next to Museumplein and close to Vondelpark. We loved the room, a modern break from the historical ambience of our hotels in Paris (Hotel Luxembourg Parc and Hotel Powers). It was a great location, as we could easily visit the museums and also hang with the locals at Vondelpark. Years ago I stayed at American Hotel, which had the most glorious breakfast room. It’s so easy to get around Amsterdam, no matter where you stay.

  10. Looks magnificent! Many stars more than the “quaint” budget hotel we were reasonably happy in when we visited Amsterdam. I’d be tempted to visit this just for a drink to check out those grand hallways and gorgeous decor.

  11. We were in Amsterdam last June and stayed at the Pulitzer. Great location, but very small rooms.

  12. The grandeur, the opulence. Being surrounded by such beauty may have helped you recover more quickly. What a gem. Plus, a pancake trolley? I’d be in heaven!

    1. Cathy, we have not yet been to Brussels but it’s on our list! I highly recommend looking at Tripadvisor.com and doing a search for hotels to see what other travelers recommend.

  13. The first time I stayed in Amsterdam was in a hostel…on the 4th floor up the narrowest stairs I have ever seen before or since…on US Army bunk cots leftover from the war…….I like your place much better.

  14. When we visit Amsterdam, we usually stay in Haarlem, a charming town with easy access to Amsterdam central. The Amstel is lovely, but its rates are quite a bit beyond what we are willing to pay for lodging in which we will spend little time. I was fortunate enough to get a taste of luxury travel when, for eight years, I flew for an international airline that owned the Intercontinental Hotels and offered its crews steep travel discounts as well as often lodging us in an Intercontinental Hotels on layover. That was eye-opening and fun, although like much of my travel experience while flying, it was quite disorienting to suddenly be immersed in a world I could not have afforded, and was quite sure I never would be able to afford, on my own. (I had jumped straight from being a backpacking, hosteling traveler to travelling first class.)

  15. And my breath stocked when I heard you were staying in the Amstel Hotel. That is the best darned hotel of Amsterdam. OK, might have to compete with The Grand, but still I would choose the Amstel. If I could afford it. Which I cannot. I can have tea there. Even a high tea.
    It is such a lovely place.
    I still feel bad about the weather, the fact you hurt yourself and got ill. All bad memories while the city can be so glorious. Of course I cannot help it, but I would have loved you having nicer memories of my beloved city.
    Greetje