Amstel Corner Hotel

The classic facade of this slender, red-brick, 19th-century canal house gives way to playful, contemporary Dutch design just inside the front door, with strategic splashes of bright, cheerful colors on a monochromatic base. Hence the fuzzy red Elmo-skin carpeting crawling up the slender white staircase, reddened further by fez lampshades. The cheeky wink, combined with the reflective glass of the canal water flowing out front, inspires more than a few romantic blushes on the faces of the predominately young couples that check in, especially those headed to the honeymoon suite. Indeed, as the hotel has no common areas, the only route is to the bedroom.     

The concentric rings that ripple out from the medieval core of Amsterdam flow into the mainland just across the Singelgracht canal. Where that joins the Amstel River is the Amstel Corner. The location offers a compromise that keeps the hotel within its romantic (and official) embrace of central Amsterdam, but also an arm’s distance from its headiest parts. While some sights are within walking distance, most major attractions are farther than 20 minutes on foot. Several trams and buses picks up passengers just 300 yards west of the hotel, and a metro station is only 500 yards to the east. Getting to Schiphol Airport takes about 30 minutes via public transit, slightly longer than a taxi.  

• 10-minute walk to Heineken Experience
• 10-minute walk to Hermitage Amsterdam
• 14-minute walk to Rembrandtplein
• 16-minute walk to Pathé Tuschinski
• 18-minute walk to Rembrandt House
• 20-minute walk to Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum, and Diamond Museum
• 12 minutes to Oude Kerk via public transit 
• 13 minutes to Amsterdam Centraal via public transit
• 14 minutes to Vondel Park via public transit
• 16 minutes to Dam Square via public transit 
• 24 minutes to Anne Frank House via public transit

Each of the four rooms and suites of Amstel Corner presents its own individual experience, done in a playful, contemporary style that pairs well the historical framework of the 19th-century canal house. Decor blends elements like midcentury modern dining chairs and tufted headboards with traditional touches such as antique wardrobes and floral-print wallpaper. The apart-style guest rooms are up to speed technologically, with flat-screen TVs, Apple TV and Netflix, Geneva bluetooth audio, safes, and super-fast Wi-Fi. All also have kitchenettes with microwaves, fridges, hotplates, Nespresso machines, and electric kettles, and cabinets filled with dishes and free coffee and tea. Bathrooms look more basic, but they're equipped with walk-in rainfall showers, hairdryers, high-end Rituals toiletries, and some have heated towel racks. "Duke" and "Honeymoon" suites expand bed size (queen and twins are standard) and add seating area, and the latter has balcony and full-size bathtub. Views are of the Amstel River, or the lovely gardens.

There are no common areas at Amstel Corner other than the entrance foyer, or on-site facilities such as a restaurant. Free and fast Wi-Fi is provided. Travelers with limited mobility should be aware that there's no elevator and stairs are steep and narrow.