Unusual Hotels in Amsterdam
Amsterdam is an exceptional city and it’s no wonder that it has its share of unusual hotels. Hotels which stand out either because of the different type of service or accommodation on offer or because memorable events occurred there. Here is a round-up of Amsterdam’s most noteworthy hotels.
It’s not only Amsterdam’s myriad of museums and attractions that are worth visiting, but many of the city’s hotels have an interesting story to tell too. From hotels that played starring roles in films and celebrity sit-ins to hotels with very unusual architecture or service, Amsterdam has some interesting lodgings. If you can’t stay at these hotels while in Amsterdam then why not pop in for dinner or a cup of coffee and soak up the atmosphere?
Hilton Amsterdam
Topping the list of hotels with a strong celebrity connection is Amsterdam’s Hilton Hotel. This is where former Beatle, John Lennon and his wife Yoko Ono famously stayed in bed for a week to promote world-peace. The honeymooning couple staged their Bed-In in room 702 and the hotel is immortalized in The Ballad of John and Yoko. Guests can stay in the “John and Yoko Suite” which is decorated with memorabilia. On a more sombre note, Dutch musician and painter, Herman Brood committed suicide by jumping from the roof of the Hilton in 2001.
Pulitzer Hotel Amsterdam
Amsterdam’s Pulitzer Hotel is both unusual in terms of architecture - being built out of 25 historic canal houses joined together - as well as for being a memorable film location. With its unique charm and canal setting, the Pulitzer provided a stunning backdrop to George Clooney, Brad Pitt et al in the film Ocean’s 12. Located in the heart of the enchanting Nine Streets (Negen Straatjes), the Pulitzer has also attracted many famous guests and is featured in the book "1,000 Places to See Before You Die".
College Hotel
The College Hotel ticks all the boxes - it's not just a known celebrity magnet, but also offers fabulous architecture and unique service. This stunning boutique hotel is actually a training ground for hotel-school students and it's fitting that the hotel is housed in a beautifully restored 19th-century school building Although the service can sometimes be erratic or amusing, the staff always strive to do their best. And with stunning public areas to chill-out in, you'll soon be shouting it’s “Hooray for boarding school!” The College Hotel also attracts celebrity guests like Jamie Oliver, Fatboy Slim and Faithless.
Lloyd Hotel
One of the most unusual things about the Lloyd Hotel is that it has rooms ranging from 1 star to 5 star – and every room is different! The rooms were conceived by various celebrated interior designers and the hotel’s building is seeped in history. Once an emigrant’s hotel, then a prison and then a juvenile detention centre, the history of the building gives the Lloyd hotel loads of atmosphere. This design hotel is also an exhibition space and cultural centre and its Cultural Embassy initiative means there is always something to ponder.
Whether it’s for the Celebrity Factor, remarkable architecture or legendary events, Amsterdam’s Hotels are as attraction-worthy as the world-class museums. Come stay a while!
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