Grand Hotel Amrath Amsterdam – Luxury Historic Shipping House

Grand Hotel Amrath Amsterdam – Luxury Historic Shipping House

Luxury-Month-Amsterdam-300This has to be one of the most unusual hotel reviews I have done so far, it is what I call the luxury quirky stay. In the early years of the twentieth century, six shipping companies decided to set up a joint head office in Amsterdam where they could consolidate their operations. The office would sell tickets for sea voyages to destinations including the Dutch East Indies and Africa. These offices were recently converted into a hotel. From the outside the building which is completly built in a style called “Amsterdamse School” is so quirky and inviting, it is architecture at its best when it comes to curiosity. I encourage you to walk around the building and look at the attention to detail. Hundreds of statues are incorporated into the facade. Made of lead, these two represent the mythical figures Poseidon and Fortuna. The welded metal work both outside and throughout the interior of the building are outstanding pieces of craftsmanship.

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Reception

The reception is so unusual it is hard to describe where it starts and where it begins. This is so exciting about the hotel, the moment you enter you just want to explore. So whilst checking in make sure you stop look up and take in this architectural masterpiece. The moment you enter the experience begins, the interior design is also in the style the Dutch call “The Amsterdam School”. For obvious reasons the craftsmanship is inspired by the sea and shipping. This hotel is an example of a museum in where you can be part of it by staying there. The attention to detail throughout this hotel is mind blowing. For a lot of tourists walking by, they just pop in and ask if they can have a look.

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The Directors Room – Monumental Suites

I was fortunate enough to stay in one of the monumental suites which was the former directors rooms. The former directors’ rooms occupy the most beautiful parts of the tip of the Scheepvaarthuis ( meaning shipping house ) right above the entrance. When I walked through the corridors, I did not know what to expect. When I opened the door I actually thought I had the wrong room. That my room was a conference room, in where they were going to house a meeting, back in the time this is what it was created for. The Monumental Suites, boast magnificent, authentic details in the Amsterdam School style that date back over a century. The furniture, is original and dates from this period, which I must say are the most beautiful pieces of work. The chairs are really heavy and each one if you choose to, to turn it upside down which it took me and another person to do so, has a unique number code to prove it is the real thing. The colour of the chair is a rich purple and has a very Gothic feel about it. The rooms were created according to your level of importance as a worker.

In the past each level represented your importance and naturally of course I was in the directors room. I can honestly say, the moment I entered I knew that as each hour passed I would soak up some of Amsterdam’s history at its best. What I loved was observing the wood,  late at night just soaking up what I call a very heavy and intense architecture. The lead glass was amazing and the attention to detail with its shipping messages was very intriguing. If you choose to stay in this room, make sure you ask for to book a tour on the history of the hotel, to give you a real understanding of how amazing this room is. These suites range in size from 80 to 100 square meters, they have a living room with two separate rooms, one bedroom and another room where you can decide what you want to use it for either another bedroom room or a study.

The bathroom is huge and modern and I liked how the other toilet room was separate but also maintaining the original interior design. The separate kitchen room is where you could make tea and coffee which was great. The free minibar is unusual and was a real hit, to drink some wine and take in this marvelous room. There were three TV’s one in each room and if you have children staying this is a real bonus to shut them away, for you to work and chill in the other rooms. The windows are massive and the natural lighting is beautiful, don’t worry there are electric curtains so you can make it completely dark for the night. Through out the day it was great seeing people walking by and so many people would just stop and look at this hotel.

The carpet design is the original and it really lifted the rooms atmosphere, it gave me an indication as to the amount of thought that went into designing this room. The wood is a very heavy material and therefore it made perfect sense to complete the carpet design to balance it. I took some great shots of my shoes too, for those fashion designers looking for a photo-shoot venue or a place to present your latest collection this is the place.

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The living room with “Amsterdamse School” style furniture and decoration.

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Amsterdam School Style Furniture

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The Entertainment Room

If you are wanting to host a grand event then this is the entertainment room is the place to do it. Also if you want a business meeting then there is no shortage of how many people can sit on what I call the chess table. The entrance to it is just as grand.

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Ticket Booths

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Attention to detail this is on the top of the ticket booth

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Wellness & Spa

With my stay, a thirty minute massage treatment was included. I really needed this as I have been travelling already for three weeks without a massage. The treatments were very detailed and the swimming pool, sauna had a lovely inviting feel to it. I liked the three different sauna rooms in where you could choose your own temperature.

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Roof Top View

We were taken onto the roof top for an exclusive drink of champagne and a view of Amsterdam. This access is only on request and for private functions. Just take a look at the city of Amsterdam at 7pm in the evening.

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Restaurant

A new chef has just joined the team and for this reason we were given food that will be available soon on the menu. Like fashion designers, chefs like to create their own trade mark throughout the food industry. Therefore here is a teaser of what is to come. It was delicious, suited the hotel and the clientele that book here to stay, this menu suited the grandness of the hotel.

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Lumper Rendang

Breakfast

The breakfast buffet at the Grand Hotel Amrath Amsterdam is great with lots to choose from, I particularly loved the yogurt in jars and the fresh fruit juice selection, which included kiwi and tomato juice. You also have the option to eat breakfast in your room, in my case with such a gorgeous room it was the perfect way to start the day.

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Conclusion

Most hotels are always trying to keep ahead of the trend and finding their own unique style. The Grand Hotel Amrath Amsterdam is classic, timeless and it is a part of Amsterdam’s history. During your stay it reminds you of how people one once lived, worked and ate. This hotel stay gives you an appreciation of the craftsmanship that Amsterdam once possessed. This hotel is a fine example of Amsterdamse School style both in interior and exterior. This hotel is a place you should choose if you are a regular visitor, for the simple reason once you enter, just like I did, you never will want to leave the place until you have to. And if you have to leave the city centre and its canals are just around the corner.

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Outside the building

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Details

  • Room reviewed:
  • Website: www.amrathamsterdam.com
  • Address:  Prins Hendrikkade 108, 1011 AK Amsterdam, The Netherlands
  • Phone: +31 (0)20 552 0000

About The Author

Gracie Opulanza

Global menswear and luxury lifestyle journalist. Co-founder and editor in chief of Men Style Fashion. GracieOpulanza.com is my personal blog.

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