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Located within a stone’s throw from Amsterdam Central Station, the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel is one of the largest hotels in town, with 553 rooms. Recently built on the Oosterdokseiland, next to Amsterdam’s public library and music school, the hotel overlooks the IJ River on one side, and the historic city center on the other. Although each room has floor-to-ceiling windows, the views are most spectacular from the 11th floor Sky Lounge. Those with fear of heights can enjoy their coffee, cocktail or meal at the ground floor City Cafe and Lobby Bar.

Built as a hospice in the late 1890s, the property that’s now known as Hotel Arena underwent several transformations in the 20th century. During World War II, one part of it functioned as shelter for Belgian refugees, another as the baby delivery department of the nearby OLVG Hospital. In the 1980s it ceased functioning as a nursing home and the city of Amsterdam decided to move the Rozengracht Sleep-In to this building in the eastern part of the city center, attracting the likes of Iggy Pop and Oasis. In 2002, Hotel Arena officially opened its doors, incorporating the ToStay hotel, the ToNight club (housed in a former church chapel), the ToDrink bar, and the ToDine restaurant, which is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Grand Hotel Amrâth Amsterdam opened its doors in 2007 and is housed in the former Shipping House (Scheepvaarthuis), which accommodated the offices of six shipping companies for decades. Its monumental façade, Art Nouveau style interior and abundance of original ornaments and furniture exude an atmosphere of days gone by. The hotel’s 165 rooms range from spacious Deluxe Rooms to exclusive suites such as the three story Tower Suite and the Oriental Suite with private rooftop terrace. To have a fresh coffee any time of the day, just push the button on the Nespresso machine—each room has one.

When Hotel Okura Tokyo opened in 1962, the goal was to become the best hotel in the world. With 25 hotels worldwide, mainly in homeland Japan, Okura’s focus was and is to offer the best possible accommodations, cuisine and service to its guests. Hotel Okura Amsterdam is located in the multi-cultural De Pijp district, home to the Heineken brewery, Albert Cuyp Market and Sarphatipark, a 6 minute tram ride (20 minutes by foot) from the Museumplein, where the Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum, Stedelijk Museum and Concertgebouw are situated.