If the push comes to the shove, we'd say this is one of our top 3 favourite hotels in Amsterdam. It's not the most luxurious or the most expensive, but what makes it so special is the exceptional mix of style, charm and ambience coupled with a fabulous location - overlooking either a canal or a secret garden (depending on which room you have). Plus the charming couple that run it are extremely friendly and helpful. It all adds up to very attractive proposition.
Even the unusual name shows what the place is about. Design is “out of the box” and not all boring or conservative which makes it a “boutique” hotel in every sense of the word. To keep it intimate this 17th-century canal house also only holds six themed rooms, with names ranging from the Rembrandt and Design to Retro and Afrika (see below).
Surely there has to be a downside? This hotel is for the young at heart and some of the surrounding area is lively, so if you want full peace and quiet we suggest the garden rooms as canal rooms may, on occasion, be noisier. Also being a typical Amsterdam 17th century townhouse means stairs are rather steep and narrow. Yet all in all, we love it - a super little hideaway in the heart of historic Amsterdam.
More on the rooms: Canal facing rooms are slightly larger (22m2) then the garden rooms and come king-sized beds (twin beds possible upon request). All canal view rooms feature white-noise machines to help you sleep. Garden facing rooms are slightly smaller (18m2) and come with en suite bathrooms with rain showers and natural daylight.
Design: The Design room accents modern Dutch sensibilities featuring decor by both up and coming and established Dutch designers. Rembrandt: The Rembrandt room focuses on the period in which he lived and painted the Night Watch.
Wonders: The Wonders room is a richly decorated temple inspired by Asia. Retro: The Retro room is decorated in rich primary colours with accents of floral green and chrome.
Africa: The Afrika room combines the kitsch with the traditional in Afrikan design re-creating the warmth of the East Afrikan Coast.
Baroque: The Baroque room is dedicated to the modern-day revival of the Baroque style.