Every month, we tell you which hotel openings you need to know about (and which, inevitably, miss their deadlines). While we have a healthy list of arrivals around the world, there are a few places that are either consistently popular or having a bit of a hotel moment, so “new hotels for…” gives you a rundown of the openings you will want to know about for a particular destination.
Even on our Master List of Hotel Openings we highlighted Amsterdam as enjoying a bit of a renaissance – and so much has happened since then. Last year, Waldorf Astoria was the talk of the town, which followed the likes of Andaz and the Conservatorium. But in 2015, and the next few years, the Dutch capital is picking up steam, adding a range of interesting hotels. Tallying them up quickly took us to 12, and there will be more:
The Hoxton Amsterdam: It’s only fair we start with what is around the corner. About six weeks from now, the first international venture of Hoxton Hotels is here, with 111 rooms we have repeatedly called seriously good-looking, and rates that start at an excellent €89 ($100). We’re waiting for Hoxton to knock it out of the park with this one.
W Amsterdam: Having lost the Pulitzer, Starwood regains a city center property with the W, arriving in September in not one, but two buildings behind Dam Square. We encourage you to revisit the renderings as the last few months tick away before we can all explore the 238 rooms, not to mention the rooftop public spaces. Rates will start at a considerable €450 ($478) a night. While it’s at it, Starwood is bringing extended-stay concept Element a little further out of town – but not until February 2016.
Hilton Amsterdam Schiphol: Also due in September, we’ve looked at this hotel since it began its journey to replace its predecessor (a tipster just alerted us to a short video you can watch here). We will vote yes on anything that takes the experience of staying at an airport hotel away from that particular shade of gloom that for too long was par for the course. Reservations are open from September 10, with rates starting at a steep €279 ($306) for an atrium-facing room.
Jaz in the City Amsterdam: A new concept from German Steigenberger Hotels, we find the idea of building something around music intriguing, but on the long list of lifestyle brands this name is up there for “most questionable”. Combine that with quotes like “vibey environs” and we are a little on edge. The 247-room hotel (the first for Jaz) is in the southeast of Amsterdam, next to the Ziggo Dome concert hall and Arena sports stadium, which means a 10-minute public transport ride into the city. Opening is listed for October 1, but reservations are only possible from November 1, with an “In-Tune” room starting at €169 ($185) a night.
Generator Hostel: Amsterdam is one of the most expensive cities around for hostels, and given what Generator pulled off in London and elsewhere, we’re hopeful that it will do the same here – clean, contemporary, and affordable accommodation with a friendly and upbeat environment. There will be 168 twin and quad rooms, a basement dining room and secret bar in a 1917 former university building near Oosterpark. If all goes well, this should open before the year is out.
ZOKU Hotel: Not just a hotel, but an entirely new concept, ZOKU is the next Dutch brand after citizenM that wants to make waves in the hotel industry. We loved the first visuals, showing a groovy living / working-focused space that in some ways doesn’t look like a hotel room at all (though the bed situation we had some practical concerns about). Best of all, the first Zoku should arrive in November already, and reservations will open in July. London, Paris, Berlin, Hamburg, Barcelona, Vienna and more are all on the future ZOKU list.
Pestana Amsterdam: Mixing the circa 1890 town hall and county seat of Nieuwer-Amstel with two modern wings, there is a lot of lovely architecture and detailing for the Portuguese group – and the architects it has hired – to work with. By next year, it should house 157 rooms and suites, restaurant and bar, spa with indoor pool (a rarity in Amsterdam) and winter garden.
Hyatt Regency Amsterdam: To say that Hyatt is reimagining the former children’s hospital on Sarphatistraat is an understatement – virtually nothing was left standing during demolition, save for bits of the façade. The 211-room hotel should be ready by next year, but given the work that needs to be done we’ll peg that for second half at least.
Sir Adam: The second Sir Hotel (we already introduced you to Albert), Sir Adam will open in the A’dam (formerly Shell) Tower in 2016. Easiest access to this north of central station location is by ferry, where the hotel will occupy four floors in the multi-purpose building.
Soho House, Amsterdam: This summer it’s Soho House Farmhouse in Oxfordshire, but in a few years’ time Soho House will go Dutch and open a bicycle storage with 79 rooms, library, roof terrace, gym, screening room, Cecconi’s restaurant, and spa. Above the 1930s Bungehuis which the hotel / members club will take over – a future neighbour of the W.
NH nhow RAI: Easily taking the cake for most ambitious architecture, the NH nhow RAI won’t be ready before 2018, but with 650 rooms over 25 cubist-style floors, it will be the largest hotel in Benelux when it is. The RAI is the city’s exhibition center, which puts the hotel just outside the historic core near lots of corporate offices and (if traffic-free) a short ride down the highway from the airport.
Palace of Justice: No, this particular project does not have a brand attached to it just yet, but we are including it anyway for a number of reasons. History, location, and architecture all come together here, in what is said to be the last major hotel conversion along Amsterdam’s beautiful canals. We are hopeful that someone does this justice (forgive us) – when it’s all formally announced, we’ll let you know.
Having assembled this list, very much like trawling through the 10 hotels we told you about for Bali, we are a little amazed at everything that’s making its way to Amsterdam. Is this a temporary spurt before hotel development will come to a complete halt, particularly in the city’s historic core? Or will we see yet more big brand names and new concepts find their way to the Dutch capital? Needless to say, expect more from us out of Amsterdam over the next years.
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