Looking for a little magic in the middle of Europe’s most mischievous city? Make Hotel TwentySeven - a five-star boutique gem with sixteen extraordinary suites that overlooks Dam Square - your destination. It’s pure luxury, but with a sense of fun (see: its breakfast tasting menu), a modern, offbeat luxury hotel to fall in love with.
Where is it?
In Dam Square - a tourist flytrap, not that you’d know it once you’re inside. Hotel TwentySeven is a 10-minute walk from Centraal Station (ideal if you make like Greta T and get a train there) and a stone’s throw from the Jordaan, the sort of picture-perfect neighbourhood that has you Googling ‘jobs in Amsterdam?’ on your first evening there.
There are bijou boutiques and beer bars on every corner, and imperiously elegant houses line the canals. Hotel TwentySeven is also a short tram ride to the Museumplein, home of the city’s grand dame, the Rijksmuseum, packed to its elegant rafters with Old Masters, and a must-see when you’re in town.
Style
But you see, the problem is - you might find it hard to leave the hotel. It has an excellent restaurant, a bar full of dark corners for drinking (very) expensive cocktails , and every suite (there are no rooms - only suites) comes with a dedicated butler, an in-room hot tub with a view, and its own steam room. The decor is an eclectic mash-up of print, photography and tradition with a twist - it’s mad, but in a brilliant way, and feels at one with the quirky city.
Food & drink
Firstly, get yourself booked into Bougainville, the Michelin-starred restaurant inside the hotel. Places with stars in their eyes can feel a bit stuffy - but Bougainville is a treat. Just like the hotel, its tasting menu is a little offbeat (one of my - vegetarian - courses was essentially an elevated version of cheese and potatoes) and its wine pairing - all selected by award-winning wine director Lendl Mijnhijmer - is done blind, in other words, its team pour you a generous glass and only give you the notes you after you’ve glugged it all. Long story short, it’s fine dining but fun - and the staff are a riot.
But the hottest tip? The breakfast tasting menu - yes, really - which features everything from a mini smoothie to a truffle toastie to a golden egg. We washed ours down with plenty of champagne thanks to our waiter and enabler, Miguel.
Extracurriculars
The bar is a buzzy spot for a late-night drink, but the (vast) suites are the main attraction. Put it this way: Amsterdam looks better from inside your own personal hot-tub.
Which room?
We were in the Rooftop Stage suite, a gorgeous, bohemian loft with sloping ceilings and porthole window onto Dam Square. Besides the hot-tub and steam room, there’s a round bed (!), a sofa to stretch out on, and a telescope if you want to stargaze (or rather, spy on revellers bound for the city’s naughtier districts).
Best for
Really pushing the boat out - this is a stay to remember.
How to get there
Amsterdam is under four hours on a (direct) Eurostar from St Pancras to Centraal Station (Eurostar is running up to four services a day). The hotel is 15 minute on the tram from Centraal Station. Otherwise, British Airways and Easyjet both fly to Amsterdam Schipol airport - it’s a half hour drive or an easy hop on the train into the city.
Details
Suites from £534, Dam 27, hoteltwentyseven.com
