As tulip season at the Keukenhof is in full swing for another month, I wanted to share my experience staying at the luxury Waldorf Astoria in Amsterdam.

Last September, my partner and I explored the city of Amsterdam for a few days before our direct flight back to Curacao. We fell in love with the city as we explored the various museums, rode bikes through the cobblestone streets, enjoyed a scenic canal cruise, and ate tons of food while we were there. A large part of why we had such a great time in the city can be attributed to our hotel, the Waldorf Astoria, which is arguably one of the best hotels in the city. Keep reading to find out why this 5-star luxury hotel was the perfect backdrop for our Amsterdam adventures!

Location

The Waldorf Astoria Amsterdam is well-located in the historic city center nearby several shopping streets. The hotel is notably placed in front of a canal (“Gentlemen’s Canal”) so watching the boats go by is a must. Compared to the Conservatorium, the other 5-star luxury property we stayed in previously, the Waldorf location is closer to the train station and the red light district. By close I mean a 20 minute walk, or 10 minute bike ride.

In comparison, the Conservatorium is outside of city center in the museum district by the Van Gogh and Rijksmuseum. The Waldorf location is slightly more advantageous being close to Rembrandtplein and tons of shopping streets. I also enjoyed quieter and calmer atmosphere in front of the Waldorf as opposed to the busy museum quarter.

First Impressions

Pulling up to the Waldorf Astoria I was amazed at how well the facade of the hotel blended in with the surrounding buildings. From the outside, the hotel looks straight out of the 17th and 18th century with a Waldorf Astoria flag hanging above the main door. The inside, however, is bright and welcoming with a refined elegance reminiscent of The Langham Boston. The entryway isn’t flashy aside from the large flag marking your arrival at this luxury property. I felt as if I was arriving at a discreet residential address.

Walking through the front doors of the hotel, there are two rooms to either side of me. To the left is the concierge who are always happily greeting anyone who walks in the door. To the right is the reception room – that’s right, there is no traditional check-in counter! Instead we are invited to sit down in a bright room with a desk and chairs to check-in. The check-in process was straightforward, but one unique feature stood out: we were presented with a number of scents and chose one to be sprayed in our room. When we checked out, we were gifted a wax melt with the same scent we had chosen previously. I loved these small touches!

Style

Guests are enveloped in a sense of opulence at every step of the way. High ceilings, grand chandeliers, and sumptuous furnishings adorn the interiors, creating a regal ambiance. Marble flooring, rich fabrics, and a beautifully scented candle in the lobby evoke a sense of luxury, while modern amenities ensure convenience and relaxation. Just walking through the main floor you’ll find original marble sculptures, a grand staircase, and the Peacock Alley lounge designed with Dutch blue and gold furniture.

Throughout the hotel, an unwavering commitment to detail is evident. Every element of the decor, from the curated artwork to the decorative accents, has been thoughtfully selected to create a cohesive and refined aesthetic. Dutch influences are subtly woven into the design, paying homage to the city’s cultural heritage and adding a touch of local flavor. The main hotel building used to be a bank, and walking downstairs you’ll find multiple homages to their banking history, including the Vault Bar.

Rooms

With only 93 rooms and suites spanning across six interconnecting buildings, the Waldorf Astoria feels more like a boutique hotel rather than a large luxury chain brand. I had the pleasure of seeing a few room categories during my stay and I was surprised at how elegantly appointed each of the rooms were. The rooms facing the canal are definitely the way to go as they’re bright with high ceilings. There are also rooms facing the garden, loft rooms with low ceilings, and a few select rooms with balconies. Despite being located in a historic property, the rooms are spacious ranging from 301 sq ft. for entry-level all the way up to 1,000+ sq ft. for their specialty suites.

We stayed in a King Premier Room facing the garden (Room 202). Upon entering we fell in love with the gorgeous floor-to-ceiling windows which brightened up the room. The view from our window overlooked a rooftop and a small slice of the garden. The bathroom was spacious though dark and somewhat dated. A big plus that there was a TV in front of the bathtub, though! The room was incredibly spacious for being close to entry-level with ample space to lay out our clothes to dry after a bike ride in the rain. I would highly recommend a canal view room at this incredible property to get the most out of your experience!

Pro Tip: Use a travel agent (like me) to figure out which are the BEST rooms on the property. You’ll want to make sure you don’t get stuck in a room with low ceilings or a room with a weird layout!

Amenities

The amenities at the Waldorf Astoria Amsterdam are what initially drew me to staying here. I loved the fact that they have a Guerlain Spa, free bike rentals, a tea room with high tea (Peacock Alley), a Michelin-starred restaurant, and a bar themed to its bank history. In comparison, when we stayed at the Conservatorium just days earlier we paid something like 10-20 EUR per bike for the day so the Waldorf felt more accessible from the start.

In our room, the amenities were incredible. I have to tell you about the beautiful ceramic model of the main building’s facade left to us as a gift. It was so cute! This is in addition to the plate of fresh strawberries, chocolate clogs, and bottle of champagne that welcomed us in our room. The bathrobes were plush and luxurious while the sandals were pretty standard. The bathroom amenities were furnished by Aesop, and they smelled incredible. I have to say, the amenities in the room were top notch and made our stay feel even more luxurious than other hotels we had stayed at.

One of the best features of the hotel is their Guerlain Spa. Guerlain is a French ulta-luxury beauty brand with only a handful of spas around the world. Here you can book signature treatments using Guerlain products leaving you feeling a million bucks after. Connected to the spa is a beautiful indoor lap pool with a mini fountain feature. We didn’t have time to use the pool, but we did stop by and commented how enticing it looked.

Restaurants

There is one main restaurant on site, their two Michelin-starred treasure called Spectrum. Here, diners can expect elevated fine dining within a tasting menu changing with the seasons. This is the same restaurant that breakfast was served in during my stay, and it was memorable to say the least. Breakfast was served on a multi-layered platter with cold cuts, cheeses, pastries, fruits, yogurt, and granola all of which came standard. Additionally, we could order hot food off the menu, and I couldn’t resist a hot chocolate accompanied by an egg white omelette. All delicious!

There is also a lounge in the main lobby called Peacock Alley serving lunch, afternoon tea, and dinner. As we were waiting for our room upon check-in, this is where we were sat to enjoy some snacks before being escorted to our room. This lounge is a social place to be with plenty of open seating for mingling. Peacock Alley is a concept found in many Waldorf Astoria properties around the world and they carry a special Art Deco vibe. Does Peacock Alley sound familiar? I featured the original Peacock Alley in my review of the Four Seasons Surf Club review!

Finally, located on the lower level of the hotel is the Vault Bar. The main building was previously a bank and walking towards the Vault Bar you would be able to tell. There is even a side room, not in use, that holds the old safety deposit boxes of the bank. I hope they turn that room into something in the future. Our last evening was spent having snacks and cocktails at the Vault Bar. The bar is dimly lit with pop art pictures of money-related images hanging on the wall. The service here was so-so, but the cocktails were amazing.

Activities

When in Amsterdam, you have to spend at least one day on the canal exploring the city. This is also the perfect city to do a walking food tour to understand Dutch culture better. During our stay in Amsterdam we filled up our days with activities. We took a Medieval and Jewish history tour with a private tour guide, ate authentic Dutch pancakes, had a private guided tour of the Van Gogh Museum, and biked all the way to the red light district to eat Sichuan Chinese food. Here are a few tours through Viator that I recommend!

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Who Would I Recommend?

The Waldorf Astoria is a brand known throughout the world for their high quality of service and accommodations. This particular property is a fantastic Waldorf Astoria to stay at because of the buildings’ historical significance and Dutch design. I would not recommend it to everyone though! Here is who I would recommend stay at the Waldorf Astoria Amsterdam:

• Guests who don’t mind spending 1,200+ EUR per room per night
• Families, couples, and solo travelers who are loyal to the Hilton brand
• Anyone who would like to redeem Hilton points to stay at this property
• Travelers who prefer an elegant and refined design without the distraction of too much technology
• Diners who enjoy having a Michelin-starred restaurant on property
• Guests who appreciate having bountiful amenities such as free bicycle rentals
• Clients who prefer to be centrally located, near shopping and the action

When you book the Waldorf Astoria Amsterdam with me, I’m able to provide you with these additional perks for FREE because of my relationship with the Hilton brand:

• Complimentary Breakfast for 2 people per room
• $100 USD hotel credit per stay
• Next category upgrade, subject to availability
• Double Hilton Honors points

Final Thoughts

There are plenty of luxury hotels in Amsterdam, some with more advantages than others. I personally think you can’t go wrong with the Waldorf Astoria Amsterdam if you’re looking for a luxury stay. The location is so central to most things to do in the city, and the amenities are above and beyond. The hotel isn’t the most modern hotel – you won’t find iPads and high tech gadgets here, but it is a classy luxury hotel with an authentic Dutch feeling. The hotel is also family-friendly having plenty of connecting options. Overall, I would definitely send my clients here!

Have you ever been to Amsterdam? If so, where did you stay? Comment down below!