Hotel Estherea
Swank Splurge in Central Amsterdam
Hotels in Amsterdam can be kinda pricey. The city has a lot to offer and word is out that it’s an awesome place to visit. If you want to stay in central Amsterdam, but don’t want a flop house next to Centraal Station filled with teenagers, you may pay a little more for a room than you’d like. Amsterdam hotels aren’t as expensive as London’s, though, so perhaps that’s why so many Brits come here on holiday.
Located on a quiet stretch of the Singel near Lanskroon Bakery and the Spui, Hotel Estherea is an elegant, boutique hotel and a wonderful place to bed down for the night. The location is great; just minutes from Amsterdam’s top attractions like Anne Frank House and the Amsterdam Museum. It is about a 20 minute walk from the train station, so if this is too far to lug your luggage, consider taking the tram which drops you off a block away. (To take the tram, simply get on and pay the driver or you can buy a pass at the train station if you think you will be using public transportation a lot.)
When you walk into the lobby, the cushy furniture and fancy chandelier will be the first things you notice. The professional staff will greet you and hand you your room key with a tassel key chain. They are friendly and knowledgeable about their beloved city, so don’t be afraid to ask them for directions or recommendations. You can take the small elevator or steep (normal by Dutch standards) stairs up to your room. There are some rooms that offer a view of the canal for a bit extra, though the ones that aren’t overlooking the canal have a perfectly acceptable view of the courtyard. Once you settle in, head down to the lobby. There is a library there and is a quiet place to sit and read on a cold, rainy day. There is complimentary coffee and hot chocolate to warm you after you have been out in the Dutch winter.
Know Before You Go
Book as soon as you know you are going to Amsterdam because this place is popular and fills up early.
Bottom Line
This hotel is expensive, but if you happen to be here during the off season in the depths of winter, it is actually quite affordable and totally awesome.
Published on Jun 01 2012