What it is

A 238-room retreat in two-storied buildings—a former bank and telephone exchange—with a Michelin-starred restaurant, spa and sceney rooftop pool.

What it isn't

Ye Olde Amsterdam. The property is thoroughly modernist, from the floor to ceiling windows to the egg-shaped soaking tubs.

What we think

People don’t often think of Amsterdam as a spa city, but perhaps they should—at least at the W. Wellness here is as sleek as it comes, from the glowing cold plunge pools and Fire baths in the dimly lit spa (which has won multiple awards) to the Technogym-equipment stocked FIT gym (how do you say “shredded” in Dutch?). We particularly love that the open floor plan guest rooms here are tricked out with rainfall showers, sumptuous W Signature beds, and BLISS Spa VIP bathroom amenities perfect for some post-flight self-care.

You're here because

You love nothing more than a rooftop bar, and the W Lounge—on the 6th floor, with a 360-degree panorama over the canals and cityscape—is as buzzy as they come, thanks to an in-house “music curator”/DJ.

The Moment

Glamour is everywhere at The Duchess, the W’s glimmering tea room...so much so that you wish you’d donned a few more diamonds. No matter. This is the only Michelin starred restaurant in the W Hotels stable, and you find the menu is dazzling enough. You curl up under a grandfather clock on a tufted leather banquette and order every single thing that thrills you: seared calamari with ink pasta and mint; baked scallop with mushrooms and hollandaise sauce; king crab and langoustine tortellini. For dessert, why not keep things light with a vanilla and cream pavlova, served with passionfruit snow and raspberry pearls? Just call it edible ecstasy.

Restaurants & Bars

The Duchess - Nouveau Nicoise

Mr. Porter - Steakhouse

The Butcher - High-end yet casual burger bar

W Lounge - Rooftop Cocktail Bar

Location

City center, just a couple blocks from both heart-wrenching sites (Anne Frank Huis) and those that instantly turn a frown upside down (KattenKabinet, a museum of cat art).