Looking for a fabulous hotel for your home away from home, where you can rest your weary legs and mind after a day of exploring everything Amsterdam has to offer? We’ve got you covered…
Amsterdam’s city center is full of great hotels with character, and lovely canal or city views, such as in the Jordaan. They are also close to the main attractions and action. But maybe you need a hotel that is closer to the river or sea cruise terminals?
As a true Amsterdammer, born and raised, I know which hotels stand above the rest. Some are luxurious and charming, some are modern, but all of these here are Tom-approved. Our guests have high standards and have repeatedly stayed in these centrally located hotels too.
You can check Tripadvisor too, but in our opinion, these are the best hotels and places to stay* in Amsterdam.
My picks for the 9 Best Hotels in Amsterdam Centrum are:
The Sofitel Legend The Grand is a 5-star hotel located on one of the oldest canals and the stunning building is an absolute gem with a very rich history. Its outstanding hospitality management and gastronomic offer at its Bridges restaurant and Oriole Garden Bistro, make it a great place to stay in Amsterdam.
The Pulitzer Hotel is elegant and popular among our guests. It is built out of 25 former canal houses from the 17th and 18th centuries. With 225 rooms, beautiful suites, 2 restaurants, and a classic bar, there is plenty of room to relax and recharge here. Guests can also make use of the hotel’s privately owned boat.
The Dylan is an exclusive 5-star hotel full of modern charm, located on the Keizersgracht in the canal ring of Amsterdam. It has 40 well-designed rooms and is home to the Michelin-starred restaurant, Vinkeles, and the tasteful Bar & Brasserie OCCO.
Hotel Boutique Estheréa is a 4-star hotel housed in a row of 17th-century buildings on the Singel. The 93 rooms all have rich, colorful interiors and are accessible by elevator.
The Andaz Hotel is part of the Hyatt hotel chain and centrally located on the pretty Prinsengracht canal in the Jordaan area. The Andaz features 122 rooms, 5 stunning suites, and a contemporary restaurant and stylish bar. The canal views here are fantastic!
The Waldorf is located directly behind the Royal Palace, so you can feel just as royal when staying here! It has the nicest roof terrace in Amsterdam, including a narrow but splendid swimming pool. It hosts 238 stylish guest rooms, with incredible suites.
The Ambassade Hotel is a smaller, but well-located hotel on the Herengracht canal, the Gentleman’s canal, in the canal ring with 55 lavishly decorated, cozy rooms. The hotel features a French brasserie and a Library bar, with over 5,000 books on display - all signed by their authors, who were also past guests!
Hotel The Craftsmen is a very small hotel with 14 spacious rooms and intrigues at every corner. It combines modernity and history and takes you on a historical tour from the moment you step in. Each room is themed according to a unique, historical Dutch craft - hence the name!
The Toren is excellent if you want to enjoy a stay that is a little out of the ordinary and perfectly located. It’s a boutique hotel with 40 rooms located in an almost 400-year-old building on the Keizersgracht.
Other great hotels that I highly recommend!
These four hotels are well-positioned if you are taking a cruise before or after your time in Amsterdam.
The stunning Amrath Hotel is housed in a former Shipping House, located conveniently close to Amsterdam's central station and the cruise terminals servicing river and sea cruises, including the Passenger Terminal Amsterdam (PTA). This makes it a great 5-star choice if you are coming in by sea or heading out on a cruise after your time in the city. It has 205 rooms, a spa and restaurant, and is a beautiful example of architecture and design from the Amsterdam School.
The 4-star Movenpick Hotel is located super close to the Passenger Terminal Amsterdam (PTA) where many sea cruises, but also some river cruises, dock. It has 408 modern-styled rooms, with a tasty restaurant and lots of amenities. The hotel has fabulous views over the city and the Ij river. It is also a great choice for hosting events and conferences, and large groups!
The Hilton Doubletree hotel is also very close to the central train station, and a great choice if you want to be close to either the sea or river cruise terminals in the central-east part of Amsterdam. Its 557 rooms are modern and feature floor-to-ceiling windows. The hotel is also home to the trendy SkyLounge rooftop bar with excellent views across the city. This is also a great choice for larger groups.
The Room Mate Aitana Hotel is a 4-star boutique and modern hotel with 284 rooms, located on the Western side of the central station in the Westerdok area. It is conveniently positioned close to where many river cruises dock, and offers lovely city and river views, as well as a great bar & lounge (and more) that you may need during your stay in Amsterdam.
Some things to keep in mind when searching for and booking a hotel in Amsterdam
Staying closer to the Amsterdam city center, which is within the canal ring, makes it easier to not only take a break between seeing major attractions but also to get back to your hotel room after a long day of exploring the city.
There are also a lot of steep stairs in Amsterdam buildings, but if you have mobility issues, don't worry. There are plenty of hotels with elevators available.
Everything is smaller here in the tiny Netherlands, even the rooms in these luxury hotels in Amsterdam (and the rest of the country). Be sure to ask about these things when booking your room, or read the descriptions carefully in the links above.
*Note: This page contains Kayak.com affiliate links, but the recommendations are 100% genuine from Tom!