The Conservatorium Hotel delivers a true five-pearl experience in Amsterdam's residential Museum Quarter. It's housed in a 100-year-old former bank building, and the hotel's warm, modern design melds seamlessly with the structure; the stunning atrium lobby, for example, is industrial-chic, featuring wood, brick, and glass. The rooms are decorated in earthy neutrals and every detail was considered, from the placement of the electrical outlets to the reading lights by the bed to the high-tech controls for the lighting and blinds; some rooms have duplex layouts and exposed structural beams. Bathrooms are gorgeous, with rainfall showerheads, stone tile, LCD mirror TVs and micro cotton towels. The big, modern fitness center, stylish indoor pool, and lovely spa, all located below ground, are highlights. It's a premier choice for luxury travelers looking to trade a central location for added space and quiet.

The Sofitel is an upscale property in the heart of the Old Center. The building has a rich history; it has been both a 15th century convent and a city hall. The 177 rooms are contemporary and homey (though some are on the small side) and feature Nespresso machines, flat-screen TVs, and wonderful beds. Bathrooms are sleek, and most have walk-in showers. Hotel features include a high-end spa with indoor heated pool, a modern fitness center, and Bridges Restaurant with a canal-side garden terrace for dining al fresco. Room service is on offer 24 hours a day and a kids' program includes baby toiletries and cribs.

The Convent Hotel Amsterdam is a friendly 148-room hotel with a unique history: It previously housed two monasteries from the 13th and 14th centuries. The beautiful entrance makes way to a comfortable but chain-like lobby, while The Duke of Windsor bar has a cozy "Orient Express" theme. There's no full restaurant on-site, but breakfast and room service are available. Other amenities include a business center and a sauna, which is attached to a sparsely equipped fitness center. This multi-use space can also be reserved for private massages. Guest rooms are clean, though a bit outdated in decor, and have modern touches such as flat-screen TVs, coffeemakers, minibars, and free Wi-Fi. Beds come with soft pillow-top mattresses, and windows let in lots of natural light. Tram and traffic noise can be heard, but light sleepers can request a room on the other side of the hotel (though views may face a brick wall). Lovers of original craftsmanship can request a room with a vaulted wood-beamed ceiling.

The College Hotel is a sensuous, intimate four-pearl option in the Museum Quarter. It is appropriately named -- not only because it is housed in a historic school building, but because most of the staff members are hospitality students in training. Features are few -- there's no fitness center or spa on-site -- but there is a popular Bar & Lounge with a fireplace where afternoon tea is served, as well as a fine dining restaurant. Though the public spaces wow with their sultry sophistication, rooms aren't quite as impressive, with cramped layouts, too few electrical outlets, and mood lighting that many find too dim to be practical. Note that third floor rooms have slanted ceilings -- homey to some, a nuisance to others.

The Dylan is a stylish, upscale boutique centrally located in the Canal Ring. The 41 rooms are split into six different styles, ranging from lofts with cathedral ceilings to all-white rooms to Asian-inspired spaces. All rooms have high-end amenities including Bose sound systems, stocked minibars, and Zenology toiletries. A cozy lounge, two bars, a brasserie, and a lovely courtyard with heat lamps are all draws, but the real highlight here is the Michelin-star Vinkeles restaurant, which serves contemporary French cuisine in an exclusive space with just a handful of tables. While some rooms are quite small and rates are high year-round, the hotel does offer free Wi-Fi and some rooms have beautiful views overlooking the canals.

This romantic boutique hotel near the Anne Frank House has historical significance: It was once used as a safe house in WWII. The Toren family bought the property in 1968 and expanded it over time to include additional accommodations along the Keizersgracht canal. Today there are 38 rooms and suites ranging from smaller standard size, to more spacious deluxe size with Jacuzzi tubs and views of the garden or canal. For special occasions, guests can book one of the deluxe suites, bridal suites, or the "Garden Cottage," all which have double Jacuzzi tubs. Though each room is unique, they are decorated with the same sophisticated Toren touch combining rich hues, chandeliers, and ceiling paintings. Some have their own private terrace -- a nice perk for summer evening cocktails. For everyone else, there is a cozy bar on-site, and the hotel is affiliated with Christophe -- an acclaimed restaurant around the corner that delivers directly to guest rooms.

The Lloyd Hotel & Cultural Embassy is an almost ominous presence on the waterfront of the Upmarket Eastern Docklands -- a slightly foreboding building with a quirky interior. The hotel itself has an unusual history -- built in 1921, it was first used as an emigrant hotel and then as a prison before being converted into art studios, and finally refurbished into a hotel in 2004. The 117 rooms have their own classification system; one-star rooms, for example, are bunker-like cells with no bathroom or amenities. Guests who stay in these rooms must share a communal bathroom, which unfortunately has limited facilities. Two-, three-, four- and five-star rooms are significantly bigger, but have older tube TVs and basic furniture. The larger rooms have their own bathrooms, though their layout lacks privacy. Amenities include a trendy bright-red bar, a ceiling-high gift shop, and meeting and exhibition spaces. Outside, visitors can walk to a handful of transportation options, which will be necessary to get to the heart of the city.

Calling all non-conformists -- this quirky hotel in the residential Voldelpark area has 38 rooms and suites based on unique philosophical and/or cultural themes. Taking residence in a few 19th century buildings, every detail -- down to the steep spiral staircase -- has oodles of character. But while character is prevalent, luxury is not (many areas are in desperate need of a fresh coat of paint). Whom will Sandton Hotel de Filosoof appeal to? For twenty-something couples who prefer to avoid the sterile chain hotels and gravitate toward the unusual, this is ideal. Each room has a distinct color scheme, and amateurish artwork to boot. Deluxe rooms and suites are more spacious, and some come with kitchens and small balconies. There are good communal areas for a hotel of this size (including the bar), but the outdated breakfast room is a hard sell for the expensive meal ticket. Perhaps the biggest amenity is the garden at the back of the hotel -- a lovely place to relax and meet fellow like-minded travelers. Overall, few in-room amenities make it clear that this is simply a place to lay the head after experiencing all that Amsterdam has to offer.