Hotel Review: Waldorf Astoria Amsterdam

When it came to choosing a place to stay in Amsterdam this past Summer, one of my key conditions was that the hotel not only had to be on one of the city’s main canals but my room would also need to have direct views of one too. The last time I was in Amsterdam, I was in my Junior year of college studying abroad and my travel budget was substantially smaller than now. The non-descript hostel was definitely not something to write home about.

Obviously, I was long overdue for a visit.  For the three nights I would be in Amsterdam with my family, I wanted the quintessential Amsterdam experience and to be properly re-introduced to this charming city of canals. This time I wanted to be pampered.

Astronaut art on the museum square

Pluk Amsterdam cupcake, Reestraat

Sculpture at Museumkwartier

The Waldorf Astoria Amsterdam, a five-star hotel sitting directly on the Gentleman’s Canal, has been on my target list ever since it opened in 2014. I even wrote an Inside Look immediately after its opening. There are plenty of incredible luxury hotel choices in Amsterdam to suit every taste such as The Pulitzer in the Nines or Conservatorium Hotel (also reviewed here on Inviato) in the Museum District, along with myriad boutique hotels such as the Andaz Amsterdam or The Hoxton. But none in my view can duplicate the compelling combination of historic richness, elegant interiors, prime canal location, and spacious light-filled guest rooms (with yes, rooms overlooking the canal) like the Waldorf Astoria.

THE HOTEL

Waldorf brought the property ten years ago from a Dutch family and officially opened, after a thoughtful and extensive renovation, as the Waldorf Astoria Amsterdam in May 2014.  The hotel occupies six double-wide palaces and homes (542-556) dating back to the 17^th and 18^thcentury, each with their own unique history. The residence featuring the stairs up to the Waldorf’s grand entrance and lobby, was formerly The Marot House built in 1665 for a family named Backer while the other houses are named after former affluent residents including a former Mayor of Amsterdam.

If you visit the hotel’s garden, you can see mini replicas of each of the individual townhouses.

The historic Waldorf Astoria Amsterdam

LOCATION

Situated right on the Herengracht Canal (known as the Gentlemen’s Canal) in the historic center, the Waldorf Astoria Amsterdam is an ideal central base to explore the key sights in Amsterdam. Nearly everything is in walking distance such as the charming Nines district where the Anne Frank House is also located, the excellent museums housing the works of Rembrandt and Van Gogh, the floating flower markets, and of course the picturesque canals (there are over 165 of them!).  The Waldorf also happens to be located conveniently across the canal from the Museum of Bags and Purses where you can see an impressive collection of 4,500 bags through time from Middle Ages. Who knew?

ARRIVAL EXPERIENCE

Check in at the Waldorf was an enjoyable and quick experience.  My daughter and I had fun choosing our favorite scent from assorted fragrances created for the Waldorf Astoria Amsterdam by the Parisian candlemaker Ciré Trudon (royal candlemaker to the court of Louis XIV) that would later be used to spray on our pillows each night.

STAFF AND SERVICE

Before and during my stay, the members of the excellent Concierge team were extremely responsive and helpful with restaurant suggestions and reservations, assisting us with tickets for museums and even finding us a hip speakeasy bar after dinner.  Likewise, the staff was friendly and gracious during our stay, greeting us daily by name. We were completely spoiled with special gifts waiting in our room each day – fresh flowers, fruit baskets, Stroopwafels and other treats. And of course, the scent of our personal fragrance wafting throughout the room.

SPACES

The public spaces of the Waldorf Astoria Amsterdam are quite incredible with much of the original features from each of the houses preserved.  It’s worth looking up and around during your stay to appreciate all the exquisite details throughout the hotel. Original moldings and plaster, as well as the marble and wood floors are all original. The ornate Louis XIV wooden staircase at the main entrance, designed by Daniel Marot (architect to William III) is a marvel. You really feel a sense of place and history here.

Waldorf Astoria Amsterdam exterior

Downstairs you will find the sneaky Vault Bar, with the original vault and safe boxes when the residence was transformed into a bank.

The Vault contemporary cocktail bar

Original bank locker at The Vault

Peacock Alley, the main lounge, is a gorgeous light-filled room decorated in Peacock blue with plenty of individual lounging spaces. With fresh flowers and beautifully presented treats for guests each afternoon during the day, it is an inviting place to relax for afternoon tea, as we did, or for pre-dinner cocktails where you can listen to live music after a long day touring. My only wish is that there was more some music playing here later in the evening, inviting people to hang out after returning to dinner. During our stay, it was sadly empty and dark after 8 p.m each night.

Sunfilled room at Peacock Alley, the main lounge

Sweets in the lobby of the Waldorf

I visited a few of the private dining spaces throughout the six residences which are often used to host intimate lunches or dinners (guests can book these for their own dinners). The Maurer Room has stunning, original Rococo-style decorations and 18th century walls.

The cozy speakeasy-like Vault Bar downstairs for pre-dinner cocktails was my favorite space. Keeping to the theme, a creative selection of cocktails are presented on ‘currency’ in a wallet along with a vintage safety deposit key. The mixologists here are just amazing and do great mocktails too.

A cozy speak easy bar in the basement of the Waldorf Amsterdam

Cocktails presented on currency, a throwback to its days as a bank

Expert mixologists at The Vault

Adjoining the bar is a private room inside another vault for dinners for two. Also on the lower level are the main restaurants with access the spacious garden in back of the hotel. The  Guerlain spa and a sneaky indoor pool are also here.

ROOMS AND SUITES

Our Junior Suite (#235) was a 1,000 square-foot elegantly decorated bedroom and separate sitting area with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the canal (bingo!) with plenty of room for ourselves and our daughter. I could not have been happier.

Half of the 93 rooms and suites in the hotel have a canal view while others face the pretty garden at the back of the hotel, so there is no ‘bad’ view. Each room is completely unique due to the origins of the hotel being six different residences.

Our friends who were also staying at the Waldorf at the same time as us stayed in one of the three lofts on the top floors which feature wooden beamed ceilings and bathrooms with cast-iron tubs. These are better suited for a couple and have a cozier feel due to the slanted ceiling structure. I toured several other rooms at the hotel and particularly admired the Backer Suite on the first floor with it’s original wooden frescoed ceiling.

FOOD AND WINE

The Waldorf Astoria Amsterdam hosts two main restaurants: the more formal double Michelin star Librije’s Zusje and the Goldfinch Brasserie. Unfortunately, I didn’t get to experience either of these during my short stay other than for breakfast.  Breakfasts, included with your Virtuoso rate, are held in either restaurant, both of which open up to the pretty garden.

The Vault Bar accessed by a thick-steel vault door, with a wall of safety deposit boxes serve to hold assorted bottles, is the perfect stop for a pre or post dinner cocktail.

Clientele

This five-star family-friendly hotel attracts an sophisticated clientele and is equally ideal for families (especially multi-generational families needing various room combinations) and couples looking for an exceptional level of service, ambiance and a central location on a historic canal.

THE LAST WORD

I love a building with a great past and this one has several of them! The Waldorf Astoria Amsterdam strikes all the right notes. I can’t wait to return soon!

INSIDER AMSTERDAM: OUR FAVORITE PLACES IN AMSTERDAM

When you book with Inviato Travel, we provide you with our own black book of insider tips and favorite places to shop, eat and see.  Here is just a few of our very favorite places to chow.

• Jansz at The Pulitzer in the Nines Streets is a pretty restaurant overlooking the canal. Ask for a table by the window in the front room and make sure to peak around all the interesting nooks and crannies of this delightful hotel.

Restaurant Jansz at The Hotel Pulitzer

Hotel Pulitzer: Canal Houses in the heart of Amsterdam

• Pluk Berenstraat in Nines Straates, a charming little café to go for breakfast or lunch. Here you will find Poke bowls, pancakes and eggs as well as adorable gifts. If you want to win your daughter over, go here for the unicorn cupcakes!
• Vinkeles, the atmospheric Michelin-starred restaurant in The Dylan hotel. It was formerly a bakery and the former ovens are still intact on the brick walls in the dining room.

• The Duchess. Our favorite dinner was at this sleek and cool restaurant. Everything on the menu was amazing and we let our waiter just send recommended dishes out. Go here with a group or the whole family. Visit the concept store in the main lobby in the W Hotel on your way in or out.
• Happyhappyjoyjoy a fun and trendy Asian restaurant that your kids will love (great for Instagram!).

• Winkel 43, a small cafe beside the Noordmarket, near Anne Frank House. Go in the afternoon or after dinner for a slice of their apple pie. You will thank me after.

• For the best french fries, hit the stall, Wil Graanstra Fritehaus in Westr Markt 11, close to the Anne Frank House. Go early as they often sell out.
• A visit to Van Wonderen Stroopwafel store in Centrum is a must during your visit. However, if you are at the Waldorf Astoria Amsterdam, they give this to you as a treat in your room.