The Canal House

Coolest quarters on the Keizersgracht canal

Fabulously stylish Canal House – a sister to Cowley Manor in the Cotswolds and chic L’Hotel in Paris – mixes lashings of designer glam with a traditional Dutch motif

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Know It All

Hit the spot
On Keizersgracht canal, close to sights and museums.

Come here for...
• One of Amsterdam's coolest canalside hideouts. • Sleek interiors with stunning artworks. • A chic, see-and-be-seen restaurant and bar.

Amenities
There’s a coolly dark lobby bar, a super restaurant and a bijou garden complete with summer house.

Good to know
Not for fans of white-on-white; this is more black-on-black.

Bedtime...

Bedrooms
23 rooms and suites.

Special features
Rooms at The Canal House striking artworks and period features, aircon, LCD TV, Blu-ray player and iPod dock, plus a minibar stocked with locally sourced treats. Bathrooms with deep bathtubs and twin basins come stocked with designer toiletries.

Pillow Talk
We loved the generously sized Exceptional rooms. All have lovely views and glamorous decor, with bespoke ebony stained furniture, silk wallpaper, heavy velvet curtains and a wet room style bathroom. If the budget won’t stretch that far, Better rooms with open plan baths overlook a small internal courtyard, while Great rooms come with canal or garden views, double sinks, bathtubs and showers.

The sprawling Best room (which takes up an entire floor) offers sweeping canal views and plenty of space to relax or entertain. There’s a bathtub big enough for two and a seamless glass shower near the bed.

Our favourites include Room 12 (Exceptional), and Room 2 with its private patio. Room 1 (Great) is the old kitchen, complete with original white tiles and copper pans.

Eat & Drink

Dining in
The Great Room restaurant serves classic seasonal European dishes prepared with the best local produce. Favourites include roast veal entrecote with salad and roast potatoes, grilled North Sea turbot and Dutch specialities such as Oosterschelde lobster bisque. You can also order light bites such as salads and sandwiches both here and in the bar.

Breakfast
Buffet breakfast is served until a very civilised 11:00.

Room service
Available 24 hours.

Activities

See & Do
Must-sees in the heart of the city include Anne Frank’s house just around the corner and the world famous Rijksmuseum. Linger in the boho boutiques and cafes of the Nine Streets and Jordaan districts (perhaps over a ‘herbal’ cigarette) or soak up some art in the Museum quarter.

Go native and hire wheels to pedal round the city – there are plenty of organised bike rides if you don’t fancy pedalling solo. Glide through the canals on a boat or wander through Amsterdam’s infamous (though famously safe) Red Light district for a taste of raunch and risqué.

Diary Dates
30 April
Amsterdam turns orange as the city celebrates Queen’s Day. Live music, parades and revelry hit the streets for this day-long party.

March – May
Keukenhof Gardens are a riot of colour as the Amsterdam Flower Festival bursts into bloom with flowers, parades and bike rides.