Andaz Amsterdam Prinsengracht

Located in the heart of the canal belt, Andaz Amsterdam Prinsengracht hotel celebrates Amsterdam living with an inventive take on the extravagant side of the otherwise restrained Dutch design.

Andaz Amsterdam Prinsengracht is a design-focused concept from Hyatt Hotels, but for any signature touches of this high-end boutique brand, there’s no mistaking Andaz for any other hotel. This creative property bears many hallmarks of its extravagant creator, Marcel Wanders, dubbed the Lady Gaga of Dutch design.

Creative ideas

To accommodate the biggest private collection of video art in town, the lighting at the Andaz Amsterdam Prinsengracht is dim, but that’s about the only thing that’s muted about this daring hotel.

The quirky aesthetics and extravagant ideas are evident in details, such as moonlike orbs hanging from the glass-roofed lobby-atrium, or giant murals of gasping herring above the immaculate beds.

But there is also a concept of “Alice in Amsterdam” running through the interiors as a larger theme in the design of the hotel. From the Mad Hatter mural to the incredible hanging light installations in the central atrium, it sets the tone of quirky surrealism to the hotel.

The walk-in shower, screened by a two-way mirror may be also an echo of the concept, but more than anything it’s an inventive, not to say risky, twist on the open-plan living. The occupant can see the room is the enclosed element of the “bathroom” which bleeds into the bedroom via a freestanding concrete table topped with a large mirror and a blue and white Delft pottery-inspired washbasin.

The light-flooded gym is worth a visit for its perky fluorescent paint job by Italian artist Daniele Innamorato, as is the lobby bar, which serves a mean peppery gin and tonic.

Food and Drink

Like many members of Amsterdam’s new culinary fraternity, Julien Piguet, executive chef at ground-floor restaurant Bluespoon, prides himself on using locally-grown ingredients that haven’t been messed about with too much.

This approach, along with the open kitchen, makes for a robust yet glamorous evening meal. At least, if you manage to get a table.

Review with contributions by Mark Smith, courtesy of Jetsetter.com. 

in our opinion

What we love

• Every last detail of this quirky design hotel is Amsterdam-themed by Dutch design wonder Marcel Wanders
• Superb central location on the city’s most desirable canal — a stroll along its waters can take you pretty much anywhere including all the shopping, eating, drinking and museum-going you want in Amsterdam
• No comforts have been sacrificed in pursuit of the hotel’s quirky aesthetics, and Amdaz is likely to appeal as much to creatives and fashion-aware tourists as to business travelers
• The freestyle check-in process, involving iPads (and a welcome drink)

What you should know

• You won't find an old school reception desk here
• The Bluespoon restaurant is very popular — make sure to book in advance
• The nearby Nine Streets is packed with quirky cafés such as Café de Pels and independent vintage clothes and trinket shops
• Free bike rental upon availability

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