Amsterdam might have a reputation for accommodating stag parties, budget travelers, and those who would like to engage in activities that are illegal in most other countries, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t a wonderful city to visit if luxury is what you are after. Amsterdam is a welcoming city that is compact enough to have many historical sites within walking distance. The Dutch capital offers plenty of shopping opportunities, and a unique cityscape.
There are a good few bigger luxury hotels in the city, like the Bilderberg Garden Hotel, for instance. But Amsterdam’s boutique hotels, which offer wonderful service and a cosy, yet luxurious atmosphere are perhaps a better choice for those who really want to get to know the unique charm of the city. One of the nicest is, in my opinion, the Bilderberg Jan Luyken, a boutique hotel in a 19th century building in Amsterdam’s chic district.
The Jan Luyken is a wonderful place to stay if you have come to Amsterdam to go shopping. The PC Hooftstraat – Amsterdam’s home of high fashion – is just behind the hotel, and shops like Chanel, Louis Vuitton, and Hugo Boss are less than a minute away. If you want to see some sights, the Anne Frank museum, Royal Theatre, Van Gogh museum and Rijksmuseum are also all within walking distance of the Jan Luyken.
My partner and I stopped over in Amsterdam for a few days on a longer trip through Europe, and were both pleasantly surprised by this hotel. I found out I was pregnant a couple of days before, and was totally wiped out when we got to Amsterdam. When we arrived, worn out from a long plane trip, a bottle of champagne on ice and a teddy bear were waiting in our room – which was small but really lovely, by the way. We found the staff to be friendly and extremely helpful. The receptionist even managed to get us into a popular Indonesian restaurant after we were told we would need to reserve a week in advance, and helped us find other great restaurants too.
Perhaps the best part of the Jan Luyken Hotel is the spa room that has a large jacuzzi (aromatherapy included), a steam room, and a sun bed. After a busy day of shopping and exploring the city, it offered a much needed break, especially for women struggling with first trimester pregnancy signs like nausea and extreme fatigue. We loved the spa room so much that we booked into it every single day we stayed at the Jan Luyken.
My only criticism is that the room service was of rather poor quality. When we came back from a long walk along the canals one evening, chicken soup and nachos were all that was available, and they were not nice at all. But overall, this small hotel felt modern, luxurious, and welcoming – much like Amsterdam itself!
BIO: Olivia, a journalist with a multicultural background, is a frequent traveler. She blogs about fertility, pregnancy signs and symptoms, and reproductive health. A new addition to her site is a personalized and free ovulation calendar to help women determine their most fertile days.
