Canal Palace: An Insider Look At The Historic Five-Star Waldorf Astoria Amsterdam

05.10.2023 - 19:51 / forbes.com / Waldorf Astoria

Amsterdam - with its beautiful canals, world class museums, and vibrant culture – is one of Europe’s most popular tourist destinations, earning the distinction as no less than the continent’s best capital city for tourists in this year’s VisaGuide World survey. Yet, as popular as it is, Amsterdam has long suffered from a lack of true 5-star luxury hotels. At least one Amsterdam hotel, however, fits that profile from top to bottom – the Waldorf Astoria Amsterdam.

Opened in 2014 as the 25^th hotel of Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts, the Waldorf Amsterdam sits on a quiet street in the heart of the city – within easy walking distance of Amsterdam’s best shopping, restaurants, and museums - overlooking its most prestigious canal, the UNESCO-designated Herengracht (or “Gentlemen’s Canal”). Were it not for the hotel staff that can typically be found standing outside the hotel, one could easily walk right by the double staircase that leads to the hotel’s entryway and not even know that they were passing a hotel, for the Waldorf is housed in a series of six adjoining 17^th and 18^th century buildings – known as “canal palaces” – which have been connected on the inside but which blend neatly into the surrounding structures on the outside. The transformation of the buildings, originally the historic former home of the city’s mayor, into a single, contemporary luxury hotel is remarkable. Inside, the connection between the buildings – each with different floor levels and ceiling heights – was masterfully completed, the transition seamless and virtually unnoticeable to hotel guests. Pay close attention, however, and you will notice a thin line at the hallway doorways indicating where one building ends and the next begins.

Upon arrival to the Waldorf’s beautiful white marble lobby entry, it does not take long to realize that the service and experience at the hotel is next level. Check-in takes place in a reception room just off the lobby, seated comfortably at a desk, with an offer of a welcome beverage (love that!). And at the end of the check-in process - in what was a first for me – we were presented with a lovely display and assortment of scents to try from French candlemaker Cire Trudon, the world’s oldest active candlemaker, and asked to select the scent that would be lightly sprayed in our room each day during turndown service. It is this type of attention to detail and personalization that sets the Waldorf apart.

The Waldorf has only 93 rooms, and ours was a lovely, spacious 1-bedroom suite with a coveted canal view. The elegantly furnished suite featured large windows, high ceilings, and a separate study room with a desk, sofa, and fireplace. Along with an espresso machine and an assortment of snacks, the