Three Days in….Amsterdam

Location:  Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Visit:  Multiple (August 2019 – most recently)

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To paraphrase the author, John Green, Amsterdam gets a bad wrap.  People think of it as a city of sin, but it’s really a city of freedom, and you can make of it, anything you want.  We’ve spent a fair number of night in Amsterdam over the past few years and wanted to share some of our highlights.  Given our multiple stops, sometimes for less than 24 hours, we’ve opted to not give a day-by-day format to this post, but to cover it in three parts:  What To Do, Where to Stay, Where to Eat & Drink.  Enjoy!

What To Do – Part 1: Museums

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• Rijksmuseum:   In the history of art, there is a whole section dedicated to the “Dutch Masters”, which includes a number of painters from The Netherlands during the 1500s and 1600s.  The most famous of these is Rembrandt, followed by Vermeers, Steen and many others.  Their works can be found throughout the world, but one of the best places is the Rijksmuseum, located near the city center.  The building is beautiful on its own, built in the 1800s specifically to house the museum.  (Rijksmuseum, Museumstraat ,1071 XX, Amsterdam) (Rijksmuseum.nl/en)
• Van Gogh Museum: Probably the most famous Dutch artist, Van Gogh gets his own museum (although there are other artists displayed, as well). (Museumplein 6, 1071 DJ Amsterdam, Netherlands) (www.vangoghmuseum.nl)
• Moco Museum: Moco is a temporary exhibit space, but for the last year or so, it has housed a collection of works from the famed street artist, and counter-culture icon, Banksy. One of our favorites! (Honthorststraat 20, 1071 DR Amsterdam, Netherlands) (www.mocomuseum.com)
• Anne Frank House: Not a museum, per se, but it has the stoic and somber feel, and is historically significant. If you haven’t read “The Diary of Anne Frank”, we definitely recommend doing that before your visit. Anne died in the holocaust, but her writings and spirit will live on forever. (Westermarkt 20, 1016 GV Amsterdam, Netherlands) (www.annefrank.org)

What To Do – Part 2: Other Sites & Activities

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• Canal Tour – Book a boat ride through the canals through your hotel and get a feel for the city from the water. These waterways were the main transportation method for hundreds of years.
• Biking – No country is more bicycle friendly than The Netherlands, and Amsterdam is no exception. Most hotels will also provide you with a rental for the day. Beware of the tram tracks though; you don’t want to get a tire stuck in the groove.
• Red Light District – Everyone should see this once. This is one of the few cities in the world were prostitution is legal. We don’t recommend actually engaging in these activities, but it’s a site to see.
• “Coffee” Shop – Weed is also legal in the Netherlands (and more and more places), and a whole “coffee shop” culture has cropped up around sitting around, enjoying a joint and letting the world go by.
• City Center – Lots of shops and restaurants and hotels in this area, along with great older building and one of the key meet up areas, Dam Square. In the summer, Dam Square is home to lots of outdoor concerts and other artistic endeavors.
• Concert – The Netherlands is home to many of the top DJs in the world and their “home town” venue of the Ziggo Dome is an amazing place to catch a concert.

Where to Stay

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Andaz Amsterdam Prinsengracht ($400 – $500) (Prinsengracht 587, 1016 HT Amsterdam, Netherlands) (www.hyatt.com).  This is part of the Hyatt family of hotels and is our favorite in all of Amsterdam, although there are lots of good choices.  We really loved the style:  big enough to have amenities, but still have a boutique feel; modern and classic, mixed seamlessly; luxurious but also whimsical, completed with an “Alice in Wonderland” couryard

• General Rating: 94 (Four Star!)
• Four Star Rating: 85 (Exceptional)
• Notes:  One of the best we’ve stayed at, but not cheap.

Conservatorium Hotel ($650 – $750) (Paulus Potterstraat 50, 1071 DB Amsterdam, Netherlands) (www.conservatoriumhotel.com).  Probably the most luxurious hotel on our list, overall, this beautiful building (and even more gorgeous interior atrium/restaurant) were originally part of the old central post office in the late 1800s and early 1900s.  It’s located right in the cente Even if you don’t stay there, go for high-tea and enjoy the building.

• General Rating: 99 (Four Star!)
• Four Star Rating: 83 (Exceptional)
• Notes: Large rooms, amenities, the atrium….the list goes on, but you get what you pay for

Pulitzer Amsterdam ($300 – $400) (Prinsengracht 323, 1016 GZ Amsterdam, Netherlands) (www.pulitzeramsterdam.com).  A classic hotel in the heart of the canal district.  It’s the oldest 5-star hotel in Amsterdam and was built from 12 canal row houses by the grandson of Joseph Pulitzer, founder of the Pulitzer Prize.

• General Rating:  87 (Exceptional)
• Four Star Rating:  80 (Exceptional)
• Notes:  A good option if you are on a bit more of a budget

W Amsterdam ($350 – $450) (Spuistraat 175, 1012 VN Amsterdam, Netherlands) (www.marriott.com). Part of the the Marriott hotel group, this eclectic dual building hotel is as close to the city center as anyone needs to be. Its a short walk to some of the main attractions and right on the canals. Great rooftop bar and restaurant in the “new” building and excellent fine dining and cocktails in the “old” building. It’s the place to be if you happen to be in Amsterdam during Pride Weekend!

• General Rating: 87
• Four Star Rating: 83
• Notes: A little bit better bang for your buck than the Pulitzer, at a similar price point. Lots more action vs. the quieter Pulitzer and more to do, but they are both great options.

Where to Eat & Drink

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• Little Collins (Breakfast) (Eerste Sweelinckstraat 19F, 1073 CL Amsterdam, Netherlands) (www.littlecollins.nl) [note: there a two locations, both great]
• Lion Noir (Dinner) (Reguliersdwarsstraat 28, 1017 BM Amsterdam, Netherlands) (lionnoir.nl)
• Conservatorium (High Tea) (see above)
• Bar at the Pulitzer Hotel (After Dinner Drinks) (see above)
• Mr. Porter @ W (Rooftop Bar/Restaurant) (see above)
• The Duchess @ W (Fine Dining) (see above)
• La Perla (Pizza) (Tweede Tuindwarsstraat 53, 1015 RZ Amsterdam, Netherlands) (www.pizzaperla.nl)