Conscious Hotel Vondelpark

The Conscious Hotel Vondelpark is part of a small hotel chain with four properties in Amsterdam. As is the case with the rest of its sister properties, it has a trendy, quirky feel and a strong focus on eco-friendly practices, with a living plant wall in the lobby, renewable energy usage, a small boutique selling green products, and furniture made from recycled coffee cup holders. Decor is cheerful and contemporary throughout, with pops of red, green, purple, and black, and rustic details such as live-edge wooden counters and distressed wooden floors. The vibe here is casual and relaxed, with self-check-in machines instead of a proper front desk (though there’s always staff around to assist), and a lobby cafe that is popular with locals and visitors alike for its large windows, comfortable benches with pillows, and weekly themed dinner parties.Rates are affordable by Amsterdam standards, and though the hotel is located away from the city center, the 1 tram stops right down the street from the property, which allows for easy access to all major attractions. Those seeking something more classic may prefer Hotel Arena, an upscale property with surprisingly low rates and striking interiors. The mid-range NH Amsterdam Centre is a good alternative for travelers wanting to stay closer to the city’s main tourist areas -- though Standard Rooms can be small -- while Hotel Notting Hill is more upscale and charming. 

The hotel is located in a residential neighborhood home to Vondelpark, a beautiful park with bike paths, streams, and big lawns. Though there are no major tourist attractions in the area, guests can find many restaurants, shops, and cafes within a few blocks. Tram lines number 1 and 17, which take straight to the city center, stop just down the street from the hotel, making reaching most sights easy, cheap, and fast. Dam Square is a 20-minute tram ride away, as are the Anne Frank House and most of Amsterdam’s top museums, including the Rijksmuseum and Van Gogh Museum. It is also possible to walk to the Museum Quarter in about 20 minutes. Central Station is a half-hour tram ride away, while it takes about 25 to 30 minutes by train and tram to get to Schiphol Airport. Bikes can be rented at the hotel.

The hotel’s 81 rooms are spread over two large buildings connected via a glass bridge. They’re all similar in style, with cute, nature-inspired decor that combines huge mural photos of flowers in vibrant colors with straw reading lamps and dark closets and carpets. Though overall simple, rooms are pleasant and comfortable, featuring quality beds (though many guests find pillows too flat), large windows with blackout curtains, and good heating that can be controlled from the room. Desks are made from recycled coffee cup holders, and bathroom counters from pressed paper, continuing the property’s commitment to promoting sustainable tourism. Most rooms are quiet, but some street-facing ones may receive traffic noise. We heard a delivery truck in the morning from our room in B Tower, but it was otherwise quiet, despite being on the second floor and in the middle of the hallway. Each room is equipped with free Wi-Fi and a large flat-screen TV with international channels. Closets are big enough for a long weekend stay and hold electronic safes and additional pillows and blankets. Decked out in large chocolate-brown tiles, bathrooms have a contemporary feel, and feature spacious walk-in showers, square sinks over dark counters, hairdryers, and large wall-mounted toiletries, including body lotion, hand soap, shampoo, and shower gel. 

A tasty breakfast buffet made with organic ingredients is available every morning (for a fee) in a pleasant room off the lobby. The spread is small but well-cooked, consisting of yogurt, granola, pastries, roasted vegetables, eggs, and bacon, which are served along with fresh fruit juices and unlimited hot drinks. Small bites, pastries, and a good array of drinks are available at the light-filled lobby cafe, which is a popular spot among young locals during the day. Though there is no full food menu, the hotel offers popular weekly themed nights. We were there for Costa Rican night -- which included delicious, inexpensive food and Tico music -- and found it lively, well-priced, and fun. The hotel also offers private on-site parking and two meeting rooms outfitted with audiovisual equipment. Wi-Fi is free and fast throughout the property. Fitness buffs may be disappointed by the hotel's lack of a gym.