Best Luxury Hotels in Old Center, Amsterdam

Located in the heart of the Old Center, the 274-room Kimpton De Witt Amsterdam is a luxury hotel with stylish, quirky interiors and a lively atmosphere. Though large and part of a well-known hotel group, the property delivers a modern, high-end experience that blends boutique touches such as daily wine receptions and fun decor elements with chain hotel services, including valet parking, a small but well-equipped fitness center, and event planners. Rooms are plush and contemporary, with a wide array of great amenities -- Nespresso machines, Bluetooth speakers, Hypnos beds, and Frette robes -- and modern bathrooms with rainfall showers. The on-site American restaurant is a great spot for evening cocktails or a meal, and the cafe offers great coffee and freshly made beignets to-go. The nearby INK Hotel Amsterdam - MGallery by Sofitel is a great, cheaper alternative.

The Sofitel is an upscale property in the heart of the Old Center. The building has a rich history; it has been both a 15th century convent and a city hall. The 177 rooms are contemporary and homey (though some are on the small side) and feature Nespresso machines, flat-screen TVs, and wonderful beds. Bathrooms are sleek, and most have walk-in showers. Hotel features include a high-end spa with indoor heated pool, a modern fitness center, and Bridges Restaurant with a canal-side garden terrace for dining al fresco. Room service is on offer 24 hours a day and a kids' program includes baby toiletries and cribs.

The 149-room INK Hotel Amsterdam is a stylish property providing upscale accommodation in the heart of the Old Center. Rooms are chic and modern, with great amenities such as excellent signature beds, free Wi-Fi, CO Bigelow toiletries, and Nespresso machines, but they’re small for the price, and open-plan bathrooms may not be to everyone’s taste. The Pressroom serves wonderful international cuisine for all three main meals (breakfast is not included in all rates), and the adjacent bar is a great spot for a cocktail or a casual meeting. While it lacks a spa, the gym is outfitted with enough machines for a quick workout. The Radisson Blu Hotel, Amsterdam is another great option in this price range.

The 451-room NH Collection Amsterdam Grand Hotel Krasnapolsky is a luxurious hotel on Dam Square, right in the heart of Amsterdam’s historic center. Dining -- headed by a chef who holds three Michelin stars -- is a standout here, consisting of a fine-dining restaurant, cafe serving fine patisserie, and a striking, galleried atrium known as the Winter Garden. Renovated between 2014-16, rooms have sleek, modern decor, flat-screen TVs, big desks, and kettles, plus some have lovely vistas. Unfortuantely, give its central setting, noise can be an issue, and there are no spa, gym, or pool facilities. Travelers looking for a quieter, five-pearl stay with the additions of a spa and pool should consider Conservatorium Hotel, though its location isn't as central.

Located right across a canal from Amsterdam’s main train station, the 274-room NH Collection Amsterdam Barbizon Palace is a contemporary, luxury hotel that still feels fresh from the 2016 renovations. Rooms are decked out in a stylish black-and-white palette and come with great amenities, such as Nespresso machines, LED TVs, free Wi-Fi, and pillow menus. Many have expansive city views (and a few have a French balcony), but some overlook a courtyard. On-site Michelin-starred Vermeer is a staple of fine dining in Amsterdam, while Mar-Dique Bar draws locals with a great cocktail menu and a selection of small bites. Spacious meeting rooms are well-equipped, but the highlight is the 15th-century chapel, which can be rented out for corporate events and weddings. Consider the Grand Hotel Amrath Amsterdam, which is a tad cheaper and has a spa and indoor pool.

Swissotel may be a chain name, but this particular property in the heart of Amsterdam, across from Dam Square, feels more like a boutique hotel. With 109 rooms and suites donned in contemporary decor, it is a friendly option in a popular setting -- though it's a bit more upscale, and consequently more expensive, than some of the nearby hotels. Overall, it's simply decorated with neutral tones and minimalistic, contemporary furniture (though standard rooms feel more generic than the suites). Rooms include amenities such as a pillow menu, iPod/iPad docks, and spacious bathrooms -- of course, the glass-walled bathrooms in the suites seriously lack privacy. The main floor has a small lobby, business center, and bright fitness center, but the narrow setting lacks communal areas and dining options. There is a restaurant, Dam Plaza, in the same building, that is not officially part of the hotel, though it does offer a breakfast buffet.

This historical hotel in a building with rich shipping history is an upscale stay with canal views in the city center, but also earns its rates with a full spa, indoor pool, and high-end (though pricey) dining options. Large rooms with soaring ceilings are mostly modern but do incorporate some ornate details that recall the building's past (especially in the suites); free minibars are a nice extra. The location at the top of the Old Center, within walking distance of Centraal Station, can't be beat. Travelers who appreciate those places where history, architecture, and luxury come together will appreciate everything here. It's also the only luxury hotel in the city with an Amsterdam-based parent company; it doesn't get more Dutch than this.