Hotel The Neighbour’s Magnolia

The charming Hotel The Neighbour's Magnolia is named after the huge magnolia tree in the neighbor's garden, which can be enjoyed from beautiful floor-to-ceiling windows in the open-plan lounge and breakfast room, aptly dubbed the LivingRoom for its homey vibe and stylish modern decor. There's plenty of comfy seating and wooden tables scattered about the sunlit space that's cloaked in a clean, Scandinavian aesthetic courtesy of items from Danish label HAY mixed with vintage pieces, colorful bursts of art on the walls, and fresh plants. A relaxed and cozy atmosphere pervades this family-run affair, with plenty of magazines and coffee table books to peruse, a record player on hand, and even a resident dog, Bleecker, who's always eager for a walk around the neighborhood. 

The hotel is situated two blocks from Amsterdam's largest green space, Vondelpark, with a nice range of small shops and cafes around the posh and quiet residential neighborhood. The tourist-friendly Museum Quarter -- with popular destinations like the Van Gogh Museum (11-minute walk), the Rijksmuseum (13-minute walk), and other Museumplein sights -- is nearby. The city center is a bit of a hike, though it's easily reachable via public transportation, and the hotel is right down the street from a tram stop with trams going to Amsterdam Centraal station (a 23-minute ride). Schiphol Amsterdam Airport is about 14 minutes away by car.

Rooms are small and cozy, sharing the mid-century modern aesthetic that permeates the hotel with HAY furniture and quirky details such as clothing racks which double as potted plant hangers. Rooms range from tiny Singles with small desks and colorful HAY chairs, to Standard Doubles or Twins, as well as Deluxe Rooms with balconies. All rooms have flat-screen TVs, telephones, hairdryers, and free Wi-Fi, but other basic amenities such as coffeemakers, mini-fridges, and extra blankets or pillows can be picked up from communal racks in the hallways or requested from the front desk. Bathrooms are fairly small and standard, with a mix of average walk-in showers or shower/tub combos. The hotel does not have an elevator, so guests should be prepared to climb the typically steep Dutch stairs to second- and third-floor rooms (though staff helps with luggage). For groups or families requiring more space, the penthouse floor --  consisting of three bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms -- can be rented as a whole. 

Dog lovers rejoice at the Hotel The Neighbour's Magnolia, as the property has its own resident dog, Bleecker, that guests can take for a walk around the neighborhood or nearby Vondelpark. For those leaning towards a more hassle-free "pet," housekeeping provides a plush toy named Sparky for each bed (and he's available for purchase). The bright LivingRoom common area makes for a nice place to sit and read from the international "take a book, leave a book" library. It also has a record player, an honesty bar full of refreshments, and an iMac computer available for guests' use. A continental breakfast is also served in this lounge for an added fee. Rooms come with sparse amenities, but additional ones like irons, coffeemakers, or extra blankets and pillows can be picked up from racks in the corridors or requested at the front desk. Freebies include tea or coffee upon arrival as well as Wi-Fi throughout the hotel.