W Amsterdam

The W Amsterdam successfully delivers a hip, luxurious experience for its guests across both the W Exchange and the W Bank, two separate buildings, each housing its own blend of stylish details that pay homage the property’s unique history. The Exchange building has over five kilometers (three miles) of brass piping across ceilings in the lobby, lounge, and elsewhere, which is a nod to its history as home to the original telephone switchboard of the Royal Dutch Post. Likewise, the Bank building was built in the early 20th century, and at the time was considered modern and high-tech. It was home to the KAS bank for 99 years and now the W Amsterdam has filled it with black and brass detailing reminiscent of its original vaults. The Exchange building has more of a party scene, as it houses the lounge, pool, and Mr. Porter restaurant, while the W Bank is more of a relaxing retreat, with its spa, juice bar, and lobby design gallery. Guests can book a room in either and then have all of both building’s features available to them, though they may find the distance inconvenient. The W Amsterdam attracts all types of affluent travelers, including celebrities, who are looking for a luxury experience, and its somewhat restrained style -- when compared to other W properties -- makes it a safe bet for design-conscious travelers of any age. 

The W Amsterdam is located just behind bustling Dam Square, in the heart of central Amsterdam's Canal District. Because it’s so central, the area surrounding the hotel is filled with shops, restaurants, businesses, and residential buildings. Access to city sights is easy, as the W is ideally situated within the famous Canal District. The Nine Streets trendy shopping area is a 10-minute walk away, while the nightlife of De Wallen red light district is just seven minutes in the other direction on foot. Just a bit farther away is Museumplein, which takes about 20 minutes to reach via public transportation. It's home to the city's famous Van Gogh Museum. Centraal Station is less than a 10-minute car or bus ride away, or 15-minute walk. Expect a 20- to 30-minute drive to the airport, or a 30-minute commute using buses and trains. 

Rooms and suites at the W Amsterdam are luxurious and full of interesting design details. The decor and overall style varies between the rooms in the W Bank and W Exchange, but all rooms are put together with the W’s unique blend of cozy and chic elements. The hotel has made an effort to incorporate Dutch culture and each individual building’s history. For example, the linens and the sculpted minibar come from Dutch designers, as do the black-and-gold bedspreads that were created as an ode to the old bank vaults. All rooms have flat-screen TVs, high-end coffeemakers, premium electronics like mini Marshall stacks, air-conditioning, and free Wi-Fi. Depending on the room type, guests might find other fun perks, like a record player and records, a round bed, freestanding round bathtub, or a fireplace enclosed in glass. Bathrooms are beautiful and modern, though guests should be prepared for some room configurations where the open bathroom plans mean that toilets, sinks, showers, and tubs are removed from each other. All include Bliss toiletries. One important drawback to note is that although rooms in the Exchange building are technically soundproofed, nighttime noise from the lounge can permeate the walls.

The W Amsterdam has all of the glam features that one would expect from the brand. Because the hotel is spread over two buildings, the amenities are too, with the Exchange building housing the features geared toward fun, while the Bank building has the more relaxing and quieter amenities. In the W Exchange, the long and narrow rooftop pool is the only one of its kind in central Amsterdam, and looks out on the Royal Palace. The terrace around the pool is great for taking in the views, but is less conducive to sunbathing due to its setup. On the same floor is the swanky W Lounge, allowing guests to pass between the pool terrace and the bar, and take in views from inside or out. Restaurants include the excellent steakhouse Mr. Porter, and the Butcher burger bar, which is more casual and located in the Bank building. Keep in mind that while an extensive breakfast buffet is available, it's wildly expensive. Also located in the Bank building is the AWAY Spa, with a small indoor pool, whirlpool, plunge pools, and massage rooms. There's also a fitness room with modern equipment on par with any urban gym. Other features include the 24-hour “Whatever, Whenever” service, the X Bar (which has delicious cold-pressed juices), the X Bank for locally designed objects of interest, and some grand meeting rooms along with a small business center. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel. There is valet parking, but nothing is available on-site.