The Amstel Hotel Amsterdam

The Amstel Amsterdam opened its doors on 27 April 1867 — built, remarkably, in just one year and one day. It remains the only five-star hotel in the city housed in a building made for hospitality from the very start. The location was chosen with care. Close enough to the city to stay connected, yet far enough to catch the fresh breezes drifting in from the sea. In those early days, long before running water, guests made their way down to the basement to bathe. Wellness has been part of the hotel almost from the beginning. The health club dates back to 1870, founded on the pioneering work of Dr. Mezger, whose contributions in medicine, physical therapy, and massage are still remembered by a plaque on the wall today. Everywhere you look, the past is present. The lobby chandelier dates from 1892, when electricity first arrived in Amsterdam and in the hotel. The Tuinzaal, or Garden Room, takes its name from the lush gardens that once lined the banks of the Amstel. The wide corridors were built to let ladies in grand, voluminous dresses pass with ease. And the fourth floor, once modest attic rooms for staff, is now home to some of our most elegant guest accommodations. In 2020, the lobby was carefully restored to its original colours of white, beige, and gold — preserving the timeless character guests have loved for generations. These halls have witnessed their share of history, including the 2002 wedding of King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima. Small touches tell the bigger story. Where our offices stand today, there were once stables. And the three clocks in the lobby were once set by Princess Wilhelmina herself, so her guests would never be late. More than a century and a half later, that same spirit of care lives on.