The Conservatorium is based inside an old music school
(Picture: Conservatorium Hotel)Europe is open! And if you’re desperate to finally escape our small, squalling isle for somewhere continental, then put springtime in Amsterdam top of your travel wishlist. The City of Red Lights might have a reputation as the continent’s wayward, gap year student, but with its warren-like streets of antique shops and cocktail bars, and a new boutique hotel on seemingly every corner, it’s come a long way since breaking out as a flytrap for stag dos and mischief makers.
And The Conservatorium - one of The Set’s glorious collection of luxury hotels, which also includes Lutetia on Paris’s Rive Gauche, and Hotel Cafe Royal in Piccadilly - is a brilliant place to start: an elegant oasis that’s close enough to the action.
Where is it?
In the genteel Museumplein, a stone’s throw from the Rijksmuseum - where Rembrandts jostle with Vermeers - and virtually across the road from the Van Gogh museum and modern art mecca, the Stedlijk. You’re also near the Vondelpark, a one-time hippy magnet where you’re now more likely to see strapping runners and sylph-like yogis, and a short walk from the pristine De Pijp neighbourhood, a mecca of boutiques and boujee coffee shops. A quick tram-ride from just outside your door will take you to Jordaan - think long, elegant townhouses, charming bars and chic boutiques - and do make sure to go further afield to wander around the stylish warehouses and low-key beer halls of the Plantage district.
Style
The Conservatorium building is extraordinary: a grand old music school transformed - with judicious use of glass - into a modern and elegant luxury hotel, that still retains plenty of its old charm, including old winding staircases and stone floors. The lobby - with its high ceilings and wall of glass windows - is breathtaking, especially in the late spring sunshine.
Food & drink
Get yourself booked into Taiko, the hotel’s contemporary Asian restaurant, which serves sushi, sake and an extraordinary tasting menu (tip: arrive hungry). There are cocktails at the Taiko Bar, a lowlit, Tokyo-style speakeasy - although we preferred to have our full-bodied Negronis in our room (the bath had a view of the Rijksmuseum, what can I say?).
Extracurriculars
If you’re feeling really grown-up, there’s a very well-appointed gym, although the Akasha spa - situated in the basement - is a far more laidback way to recover from a morning in the Museumplein. There’s a pool, sauna, steam room and Watsu pool, as well as several treatment rooms.
Which room?
It has to be a Rooftop Suite: vaulted ceilings, floor-to-ceiling glass windows with views over Museumplein, a bathroom featuring a waterfall shower, a vast bath, and Malin + Goetz toiletries in the bathrooms. All the rooms are appointed with the standard luxury trappings (a Nespresso machine, robes, a huge LCD television).
Best for
Exploring the cultural side of the city.
How to get there
Need more convincing? You don’t even need to fly! 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.
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