Amsterdam’s fondness for the quirky and original is a prominent theme in many of its excellent hotels. From my many trips, here are my favourite spots in the Netherlands‘ capital city, guaranteed to inject some serious fun and style into your stay…
1. nHow Hotel
This is a new, large contemporary design hotel with a very Insta-worthy design! I loved the playful, trendy vibe here as well as the striking avant-garde design that blends Dutch culture with modern art, eclectic murals, bold colors and geometric patterns!
My guest room (a standard double) came with a quirky but tasteful design with a giant wall mural, funky colored furniture (a brilliant turquoise retro phone and gold palm tree floor lamp were my favorites!), a Nespresso coffee machine, soundproofing and huge floor-to-ceiling windows. I found out that the room designs are based on influences from all over the world, filling each room with inspiration and creativity!
I also stumbled across the trendy sky lounge which had with panoramic city views, a modern gym, an all-day dining restaurant, a gourmet restaurant and bike rentals (of course)! It’s Zuidas business district location put me within easy access to public transport which took me directly into the centre.
- To check prices or availability for the nHow Hotel
My favorite highlights…
- Dining in their chic Latin American focused restaurant which was located on the 24th floor – I was a big fan of their unique Amazon rainforest inspired decor (there were lashings of tropical greenery everywhere!), the 360º city views and their exotic menu, especially of my healthy but very tasty dishes of Pumpkin Spice Rice and Beetroots and Figs!
2. Hotel Not Hotel
I have to admit I was in awe of this place! It was a very creative hotel but it had a laid back vibe and definitely didn’t feel intimidating like some design hotels.
It actually felt like an art gallery with whimsical, offbeat and very unique decor – there was a very cute gingerbread house, a vintage tram carriage, a Thai Tuk Tuk, a Spanish-inspired villa, a study tucked behind a secret door in the library and my personal favorite a 2-D-printed cottage complete with a 2-D TV and chairs – yes, really!
I stayed in the tram cart which was actually a tram cart located in the middle of the lobby (!) and came with a comfy double bed and shared bathroom facilities. What it lacked in privacy and amenities it made up for in fun and I felt like I was ‘Glamping’ but without the weather issues!
There was also an art-filled communal lounge, a playful but cozy bar which served up craft cocktails, an on-site Thai restaurant and complimentary Wi-Fi! The Amsterdam-West location was trendy too with buzzy cafes, bars and art galleries a kilometre from the 19th-century Vondelpark and 3 km from Anne Frank’s House.
My highlights…
- Going for drinks at the fun Kevin Bacon Bar which served Thai food and cocktails. I tried the very unusual Green Curry Cocktail which was a very potent mix of green chili & coriander seed infused rum, coriander syrup and cardamom bitters, and quite unlike any other cocktail I’ve tried before, it had very a spicy kick to it!
3. Hotel Arena
This is a wonderfully artistic boutique hotel! Set within a beautifully renovated 19th-century building that once served as a Catholic orphanage. I was completely charmed by its chic and serene atmosphere as well as the gorgeous design which combined historic Dutch architecture with contemporary design, with high ceilings, exposed brick walls, large arched windows, and tasteful modern furnishings.
My guest room (a superior king suite) had wooden parquet floors, high ceilings, and an art deco inspired color palette with muted greens and dusky pinks, a glossy bathroom with a larger-than-average free-standing bathtub, and stylish but cozy lounge and seating sea.
I also found a original restored onsite chapel, adorned with wow-inducing stained glass windows, a stylish restaurant and bar, a serene back garden and two terraces and bicycle rentals.
I really liked the leafy and upscale location in the popular neighbourhood of Amsterdam East, just around the corner of the city centre and with the green Oosterpark at its feet!
My personal highlights…
4. Outside Inn
Indoor camping is a unique idea typical of the Dutch’s playful yet practical spirit, and it translates into a fun concept here!
This place takes all the fun and camaraderie of camping and puts it inside a reclaimed and restored industrial building in a quiet setting, just minutes from the city center by train.
The owners have carefully and lovingly decorated cute retro caravans, with touches like underfloor heating, city and pool views, and comfortable beds—I was in awe! Alternatively, you can stay in a cheery indoor beach hut with a tropical theme.
The shared bathrooms are well organized and have a lounge, terrace, and self-service bar. Breakfast is served every morning, and you can walk to nearby restaurants.
5. Volkshotel
If you appreciate things that are quirky and different, I highly recommend this place! The fun abode is located in the trendy De Pijp neighbourhood in Amsterdam East, just four stops on the metro from Centraal Station.
Housed in the old newspaper offices, the outside is nothing that unique—it has a brutal 1960s modernist look—but inside, it features fabulous, quirky, and individually designed rooms with lashings of fun thrown in.
It’s a hotel that oozes creativity and a wicked design, so much so that I think you won’t want to leave!
- To check prices or availability for the Volkshotel
6. Hotel Zaandam
This quirky spot, part of the popular Inntel group, is in a town close to the capital (only a 12-minute train ride to Amsterdam Central Station).
I loved that the interiors have been carefully planned with a blend of contemporary industrial design and classic vintage details.
My favourite amenities included a relaxing wellness centre, a large swimming pool, and an informal restaurant serving only the purest locally sourced ingredients. The hotel’s exterior – although – is arguably the biggest draw.
The colossal cartoon-esque structure gives the impression of traditional Dutch houses randomly stacked upon one another, and cannot help but make a very bold statement!
7. Hotel De Hallen
A former 1902 tram depot turned modern industrial design hotel, the wonderful and exceptionally rated spot (located in Amsterdam’s Oud-West section, only a short distance from the upscale shopping and dining of the Jordaan district) is now one of Amsterdam’s finest industrial heritage sites.
Renowned architect Andre van Stigt painstakingly restored the listed building to its former glory, keeping the original glass ceiling, exposed brickwork, metal walkways, and concrete flooring and then decorating it with an eclectic mishmash of quirky details.
The result is a funky spot in a post-industrial setting. Located in a hip and up-and-coming part of town, it’s also part of the 2,700-square-metre complex, which features a library, cinema, boutique shops, and an indoor food market, all on the hotel’s doorstep.
8. YOTEL
The trendy and affordable Yotel is on the Tolhuis Canal in Amsterdam Noord. The hip neighbourhood is full of tech start-ups, bars, and restaurants, and you’re just a step away from the free ferry that takes you to the city centre.
The livable public spaces include a canalside terrace with loungers to enjoy the view and a 24/7 gym. All-day dining starts with breakfast at Komyuniti restaurant and bar, serving Dutch favourites like the ‘Kroket’ sandwich and bitterballen.
My room design is minimalist and fully functional, with work desks, multiple USB ports, and the signature YOTEL fully adjustable SmartBed. Some rooms are equipped for longer stays with a kitchenette, dishwasher, and fridge.
9. Hotel V Frederiksplein
Handily located within a short walking distance of both the trendy De Pijp district and the Heineken Brewery (and only 10 minutes to Amsterdam’s leading museums), the funky, stylish spot caters to a hip, individual crowd.
The V concept combines a unique style design with a welcoming atmosphere, exceptional customer service, and good value—not a bad mix!
Rooms and loft apartments are designed to a boutique standard, and the newly renovated lobby has an exclusive club lounge feel – this is where you’ll find soulful music, a roaring fire, and inviting vintage-style leather sofas where you can recline around for hours.
That’s not forgetting the inviting candle-lit reception and the cool late-night bar where you can mingle with beautiful people. In my opinion, it’s an excellent option for a non-traditional yet unpretentious stay.
- To book, check prices or availability for Hotel V
10. Moxy Houthavens
Cheerful, quirky, and full of comfort, this trendy place in Houthavens is close to downtown and has hip start-ups, design studios, and eateries.
You can stroll or bike around Amsterdam’s working harbour district, work or socialize in the social spaces here, enjoy a French dinner at Lars Amsterdam, chill at the 24/7 Moxy bar, and indulge at the spa and sauna.
The industrial chic rooms have bright touches of colour and floor-to-ceiling windows. Booking a harborside Lookout room gives you a stunning up-close view of the immense ships moving past slowly.
To me, standout amenities included the fitness centre, swimming pool, and convenience store on-site. Bike rentals are available, so you’re all set, whether for a brief stopover or an extended stay.
11. The Exchange Hotel
Located in the heart of the city, within a 5-minute stroll of Dam Square and New Church, this playful independent fashion hotel has rooms “dressed up like models.”
This quirky Amsterdam hotel offers an unconventional high design that occasionally verges into fantastical territory! Rooms range from “one-star” to “five-star,” the Amsterdam Fashion Institute graduates have designed each individually.
They all showcase decor you’re unlikely to see anywhere else—in one room, an imitation 17th-century ruff surrounds the bed, and another is lined with a gigantic 1980s-style knitted jumper (complete with zipper over the window)!
Also, expect modern facilities like a flat-screen satellite TV and contemporary ensuite bathrooms. I thought this was just fabulous, darling!
12. Jaz Hotel
Have a penchant for music, style, and good design? Well, you will love this place! Hip and stylish and claiming to ‘pulse with the sounds of the city,’
I loved its acoustically tuned guest rooms with audiophile-approved sound systems and 11 offbeat suites offering private balconies and fabulous city views.
After a hard day’s music-making (or sightseeing), you can relax in the panoramic wellness centre, step up a gear again, and get your groove to watch pop-up performances in their bustling bar.
Alternatively, enjoy a private dinner in the ‘super trouper’ area or watch a live DJ performance at the beatbox. It also enjoys a fabulous music-worthy location – it’s no coincidence that the Ziggo Dome and AFAS Live concert hall are just around the corner (and thanks to excellent public transport links, you’ll be in the city centre in just ten minutes).
- To check prices or availability for Jaz Hotel
13. Amstel Botel
Not one for all you landlubbers out there, this is just what it says on the tin – a modern 3-star hotel/boat hybrid moored on a lively spot on the riverbank and connected by a free ferry service to the city centre.
The hip floating “botel” lives in the historical NDSM-Werf, a derelict shipyard turned edgy arts community 15 minutes upriver from the city centre. Aboard, you’ll find furnished rooms with private bathrooms and views of the land or the River IJ.
Take a beer out onto the boat deck, while away an hour or two in the games room, hang out with young creatives in the surrounding cool cafes or take the 10-minute free ferry service to the city’s Central Station and explore all the main city sights – a fun choice for a unique and different city stay!
14. The Social Hub
A canny hybrid of modern student digs, a standard hotel, and studio apartments for more extended stays, I think this is an excellent choice for hip-budget travellers looking for fun accommodation.
Located in a central location just a short stroll from all the major hotspots, savvy designers have breathed life into a former grey office block with colourful street art murals, uplifting banners, and retro-style furniture. One wing has student accommodation, and the other is home to more luxurious accommodation for non-student guests.
Here, you will find an eclectic mix of students, young business folk, academics, families, and travellers in a lively, hip, yet still relaxed atmosphere – genius!
15. Morgan and Mees
Based in the historic Amsterdam West and housed in a beautifully restored building, this is a lesson in class and elegance with a modern flair!
The decor is unique and contemporary, featuring bi-level rooms with free Wi-Fi, smart TVs, and loft bedrooms. My favourite highlights include an excellent menu of locally sourced food, a sophisticated restaurant with a chic terrace, an unrivalled cocktail menu, and exceptional customer service.
With a great location, a 2-minute walk from the nearest tram stop, and a short stroll to the Anne Frank House museum, if this trendy abode were a Tinder date, I would say it would be a great catch!
16. The Andaz
This highly respected luxury hotel chain brings its brand of coolness to the Dutch capital. With more than a nod to Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland, the five-star boutique hotel has weird and wonderful fantasy-inspired decor.
It features eye-popping colour and imaginative artwork – expect tulip-shaped chairs, giant bells hanging from the ceiling and table legs that look like giant chess pieces.
Located between two major canals in the centre of Amsterdam (only 1.3 km from Dam Square), this chic, upscale spot offers more than just great design—also expect impeccable service, a gorgeous, peaceful garden, a luxury spa you’ll want to spend hours in, and delicious dining in a restaurant that specializes in locally sourced ingredients.
