After spending a while in Germany, it was time to go to the Netherlands, the following step on our 5 nation Europe journey. We spent three nights on the spectacular 93-room Waldorf Astoria Amsterdam, which is now simply certainly one of my favourite metropolis motels.
Why we traveled to Amsterdam
Our facet journey to Amsterdam was deliberate fairly final minute. Whereas visiting household in Frankfurt, Ford and I simply randomly had a dialogue with my mother about Amsterdam. She stated she hadn’t been in a very long time, however had many fond reminiscences visiting when she was youthful. I jokingly stated “effectively why don’t we go for a number of days?”
As I mapped issues out and realized it was a reasonably quick drive and that the Waldorf Astoria Amsterdam had factors availability, I rapidly put one thing collectively. Earlier than we knew it, we had been off to Amsterdam!
Easy methods to e book the Waldorf Astoria Amsterdam
Money charges on the Waldorf Astoria Amsterdam vary from 400 EUR to 800 EUR per night time for a base room, relying on the time of 12 months. For our dates, the money price would have been 600 EUR.
In the event you do e book a money price on the Waldorf Astoria, I like to recommend doing so by means of Hilton Impresario, which provides all types of additional perks, together with a room improve topic to availability, a $100 property credit score, early check-in and late check-out topic to availability, double Hilton Honors factors, and extra.
That is higher than reserving by means of Amex Fantastic Resorts & Resorts or Virtuoso for a wide range of causes, together with that upgrades are prioritized by means of Hilton Impresario, you get a $100 property credit score (quite than a credit score being particular to eating or the spa), you earn double Hilton Honors factors, and extra.
Easy methods to redeem factors on the Waldorf Astoria Amsterdam
We redeemed factors for a 3 night time keep for 2 rooms:
- Whereas Hilton Honors doesn’t have an award chart, the lodge typically prices 95,000 Honors factors per night time, in order that’s what we paid
- You do get a fifth night time free on award redemptions, and whereas that will have been a greater deal, there was solely award availability for 3 nights, and that’s additionally all that match into our schedule
- It may be powerful to search out award availability at this lodge (since there are few base rooms), however usually rooms turn out to be out there final minute, so we lucked out since we booked simply days earlier than our journey
- I like staying at Hilton properties once we are reserving two rooms; that’s as a result of Ford and I are each Hilton Honors Diamond members by means of the Hilton Aspire Card, and due to this fact our technique is to e book one room in every of our names, in order that we are able to get elite perks for each rooms
Waldorf Astoria Amsterdam location
I don’t declare to be an knowledgeable on Amsterdam (the final time I correctly visited the town was in 2014), although so far as I’m involved the Waldorf Astoria has an ideal location. It’s positioned on the Herengracht Canal (which is a UNESCO heritage website) and just about all the pieces was in strolling distance. We nearly explored the whole metropolis, and did all of it on foot.
I’d additionally notice that the road that the Waldorf Astoria is on is especially quiet, which certain is good, by way of each foot visitors and noise.
The lodge is comprised of six former canal homes. Whereas they’re all related, you possibly can simply inform them other than the outside.
Waldorf Astoria Amsterdam check-in & foyer
Service on the Waldorf Astoria was flawless from the second we arrived. As we pulled up, two bellmen instantly assisted us along with your luggage, and escorted us as much as reception. This was up the outside staircase after which to the correct.
In the event you suppose the outside of the lodge is cool, effectively, the inside is much more of a deal with. The lodge dates again to the 1600s, and a tremendous job was performed sustaining among the historic components of the lodge, whereas making it trendy and splendid. Take a look at these moldings!
At reception had been two desks for a sit-down check-in expertise. As we checked in, we had been all supplied some candies that seemed like bees, as a result of they had been made with honey from the lodge’s backyard. We had been additionally supplied refreshing towels.
We had been requested if we needed something to drink, and I ordered a espresso. As you possibly can see within the above image, there was a display with the visitor’s title on it, after which in the course of the check-in expertise there’s virtually a bit slideshow presentation going over the fundamentals of the lodge, what’s included along with your price, and many others.
On the conclusion of the check-in expertise, we had been requested to pick out from certainly one of 4 Cire Trudon scents, which might be sprayed in our room every night with turndown service.
Each rooms had been upgraded to King Grand Premier rooms with canal views.
It’s not usually I touch upon one thing like this, however the workers on the Waldorf Astoria put on some actually cool conventional native attire, which is a cute contact, given the historical past of the lodge. As soon as we had been checked in, we got a quick tour of the lodge, together with a rundown of the property’s historical past.
For instance, the staircase throughout from reception was constructed by Daniel Marot, the architect of Louis XIV.
Additional into the foyer was Peacock Alley, one of many lodge’s eating places. It’s open for breakfast, lunch, and afternoon tea (extra on that later).
The elevators are proper throughout from Peacock Alley.
Additional down the corridor is a piano.
Throughout from that’s Maurer Room, a non-public eating room that includes authentic Rococo fashion decorations and 18th century work. You possibly can lease this for a non-public occasion, however I don’t wish to understand how a lot it’ll price. 😉
Waldorf Astoria Amsterdam King Grand Premier Room Canal View
Ford and I stayed in room 63, and attending to the room was fairly an journey. Whereas the room was on the bottom flooring, we needed to first take an elevator up a degree, after which stroll to the far finish of the lodge.
When strolling down the hallway, it’s cool how there are placards letting you already know while you’re transferring between buildings.
On the different finish of the lodge we took the steps down a degree, after which our room was positioned in a quite vast hallway. For these with accessibility wants, this most likely isn’t the lodge for you (however that’s an issue in Amsterdam generally, given what number of outdated buildings have been restored).
The King Grand Premier rooms on the Waldorf Astoria are marketed as being 474-592 sq. ft. Our room was gorgeous, and I’d guess it was on the decrease finish of that by way of measurement, because it was undoubtedly below 500 sq. ft.
The room featured an entryway with a closet to the correct, after which the remainder of the room to the left.
The room was merely attractive, by way of the design, the extremely excessive ceilings, and the quantity of pure mild. The room had a snug king measurement mattress, with night time tables on either side.
On the foot of the mattress was a loveseat. Then there was additionally a desk with a chair, together with one other chair close to the window. That second chair could possibly be moved to the desk if two folks wish to get pleasure from in-room eating collectively.
There was additionally a wall-mounted TV on the far finish of the room, together with a minibar console. Critically, take a look at how excessive these ceilings are!
The minibar featured complimentary Nespresso espresso, tea, and bottled water, after which there have been a wide range of drinks and snacks for buy.
Additionally on this desk was a welcome amenity of three madeleines. Yum.
And naturally the very best a part of the room was the view of the canal. At first I used to be apprehensive about being on the bottom flooring, and the shortage of privateness. Nonetheless, we ended up loving this. As talked about above, the Waldorf Astoria is on a quiet avenue, the room is elevated a bit off the bottom, and it was cool to have such a direct view of the boat visitors.
The toilet was compact however effectively appointed, and featured a sink, a soaking tub with a TV, a walk-in bathe, and a rest room.
Toiletries had been from Salvatore Ferragamo, as is customary at Waldorf Astoria properties.
Wi-Fi within the room was quick and free, and housekeeping was supplied twice day by day, and was very thorough. Certainly, I beloved the scent that they sprayed each night, and on the final night we got a small tube with our most popular scent to get pleasure from at house. What a considerate contact.
Waldorf Astoria Amsterdam Peacock Alley (breakfast)
We obtained complimentary breakfast on account of our Hilton Honors Diamond standing, and this could possibly be loved both by way of in-room eating beginning at 6AM, or at Peacock Alley from 9AM till 11AM. We had breakfast at Peacock Alley all three mornings.
That is the Waldorf Astoria’s foyer lounge, so it’s probably not a standard restaurant, however it’s a attractive house.
The usual breakfast right here is “The Style of Waldorf,” which retails for 39 EUR per particular person.
Breakfast every morning began with espresso or tea and a freshly squeezed juice. I had french press espresso and a inexperienced juice.
Then a beautiful tray was introduced out with berries, smoked salmon, chilly cuts, cheese, yogurt, bread, and pastries.
Then there was the selection of an a la carte possibility. Over the course of our keep we tried a number of issues, together with an omelet, eggs benedict, and oatmeal.
Breakfast was glorious, and I feel it’s additionally price noting that the lodge went above and past, as a result of technically they solely have to supply elite members a continental breakfast, however they as a substitute provide a full breakfast.
Waldorf Astoria Amsterdam in-room eating
On the day we arrived on the Waldorf Astoria we determined to order lunch by way of in-room eating. We had a protracted automobile journey and I wanted to get some work performed, so it appeared like the best possibility. You possibly can discover the in-room eating menu right here.
We ordered rooster yakitori, a membership sandwich, and a pizza to share, and all had been glorious (don’t fear, this was our least attention-grabbing meal in Amsterdam, as we in any other case loved some superior Indonesian meals, and way more). The pizza additionally tasted a lot better than it seemed, for the file.
Waldorf Astoria Amsterdam canal view terrace
Within the summers the Waldorf Astoria units up a cute, small terrace with only a few tables, proper on the canal. We had some drinks right here one afternoon, which was pretty.
Waldorf Astoria Amsterdam Spectrum Restaurant
The Waldorf Astoria Amsterdam has Spectrum Restaurant, led by two Michelin-starred chef Sidney Schutte. Sadly in the intervening time this restaurant is just open three days per week (Thursdays by means of Saturdays), so we didn’t have the prospect to test it out. There’s additionally a bar close to the restaurant, which seemed cute, although was closed.
Waldorf Astoria Amsterdam Guerlain Spa, health club, and pool
The Waldorf Astoria has Gerlain Spa, positioned on the basement degree. Whereas we didn’t get any spa therapies, you possibly can discover the spa menu right here.
The spa was stunning, and had a pool, sauna, steam room, and many others.
The health club can be positioned on this space, and I assumed it was glorious for a historic lodge like this, with nice cardio tools and weights.
Waldorf Astoria Amsterdam outside backyard
The Waldorf Astoria Amsterdam has a shocking backyard, the place you might learn a e book or get some work performed (climate allowing, in fact — we lucked out in that sense). For the reason that backyard is a UNESCO heritage website, sadly there’s no meals or drink service on the market. That’s a disgrace, as a result of this might be a really perfect setting for a restaurant.
Close to the backyard was one other good sitting space. I’m unsure if that is generally used for one thing, or what precisely the intent is for this house.
Waldorf Astoria Amsterdam service
The Waldorf Astoria Amsterdam has among the greatest service I’ve ever obtained at a metropolis lodge. I’d say the service matches the remainder of the lodge, which is sort of a praise. Not solely had been workers genuinely pleasant throughout the board, however they had been additionally competent, polished, and attentive, which generally is a powerful combo to attain. The place do we start?
- The concierges listed here are merely rockstars; concierge at a metropolis lodge will be invaluable for securing reservations and getting the very best desk (particularly when planning final minute journey), and the crew right here was superior, and extremely responsive by e-mail
- From the entrance desk workers, to the concierges, to the Peacock Alley servers, everybody had such a watch for element and was genuinely pleasant; for instance, at breakfast the servers would ask us how our dinner was at a sure restaurant the night earlier than, although we by no means mentioned it with them
- Equally, I do know it’s minor, however I admire how envelopes had been addressed to “Mr. & Mr.” (if I had a greenback for each time I’ve obtained a “Mr. & Mrs.” letter, regardless of the lodge having each passports on file, I’d use that cash to e book one other keep right here)
- I beloved all of the little touches, from the drinks and candies at check-in, to the Cire Trudon scents at turndown service, and to take house
I pay very shut consideration to service at motels, and it’s regular that there’s one thing I can critique. Within the case of the Waldorf Astoria workers, there’s fairly actually nothing they didn’t execute completely. Kudos.
Backside line
The Waldorf Astoria Amsterdam is a spectacular lodge that I can’t advocate sufficient, whether or not you’re paying money or redeeming Hilton Honors factors. That is now my favourite factors lodge in Europe, and certainly one of my high 10 metropolis motels on this planet.
I like all the pieces about this lodge — it’s the proper steadiness between being trendy and historic, the rooms are superbly appointed, the situation is nice, the elite recognition is superb, and the service is flawless.
In the event you’re headed to Amsterdam and may swing it, I can’t advocate the Waldorf Astoria sufficient.
In the event you’ve stayed on the Waldorf Astoria Amsterdam, what was your expertise like? Alternatively, what’s your favourite lodge in Amsterdam?