The best cool and quirky hotels in Amsterdam – Top Picks
Amsterdam, the captivating 17th-century capital of the Netherlands, offers a blend of rich history and modern attractions. From museums and palaces-turned-hotels to vintage boutiques and classical music venues, the city immerses you in a charming journey through time.
But Amsterdam is not stuck in the past; it also caters to the 21st-century crowd. With niche restaurants, craft breweries, bike travel, vibrant nightlife, and some of the coolest hotels in the country, there’s something for everyone.
When it comes to accommodation, Amsterdam offers a wide range of options. From awe-inspiring palaces and trendy retreats to unique hotels and boutique rooms, the city has something to suit every taste and preference.
With so many fantastic choices, selecting just one can be challenging. To simplify your decision, we’ve compiled a list of the coolest and quirkiest hotels in Amsterdam, ensuring you enjoy a perfect getaway in this remarkable city.
1. Inntel Zaandam
Provincialeweg 102, 1506 MD Zaandam
Price: ££
Hotel rating: 8.3
Stars: 4
This striking hotel is 12 stories tall, and looks as if someone has smushed together the green-painted cottages usually found in the Zaan region.
The inspiration behind the hotel is that it’s your temporary home. Interiors have been carefully designed, blending contemporary design with vintage details.
There’s a wellness centre, large swimming pool and restaurant on site. The hotel is only a short ride from the city center.
2. Hotel Not Hotel
Piri Reisplein 34, De Baarsjes, 1057 KH
Price: ££
Hotel rating: 7.5
Easy to remember, Hotel Not Hotel is essentially a huge art exhibition. Each room is designed as an artwork, and the hallways and lounge area are like being in a gallery. You could end up sleeping in a secret door behind a library, a Spanish villa, or a motel.
The room interiors are plush and comfy, with breakfast served at your door with an antique tram cart. As standard, expect a luxurious bed, lots of storage space and power sockets.
Price: £££
Hotel rating: 9.8
Stars: 5
Just a few steps from Dam Square, this suites-only hotel is housed in a historical building from 1916.
Each suite is sumptuous decorated with lush velvet sofas and wallpaper, handmade curtains, and patterned carpets.
The rooms are complete with a luxe bathroom, including a two person steam cabin and jacuzzi. You even get your own light control system and iPad controls inside.
They have a huge list of bespoke services on offer, such as private butlers, assistants, shoppers, trainers and tou guides.
Their on-site restaurant and cocktail bar is one of the best Amsterdam has. Bougainville is Michel-star, whilst Bar TwentySeven has an amazing atmosphere with unique cocktails on offer.
4. Ecomama
Valkenburgerstraat 124, Amsterdam City Centre, 1011 NA
Price: ££
Hotel rating: 8
Offering boutique but affordable accommodation, Ecomama takes the cosiness of a hostel with creative communal spaces with the appeal of a luxury hotel.
They strongly believe in eco-consciousness, featuring upcycled furniture, natural heating systems and waste recycling.
The hostel is decorated with concrete floors, high ceilings and vintage furniture. There are a few shared spaces, including a living room, communal kitchen, and even a tent.
If you want privacy, there are double bedrooms on offer, but if budget is on your mind, go for the 12-bed dorm room.
5. Volkshotel
Wibautstraat 150, Oost, 1091 GR
Price: £
Hotel rating: 8.6
Volkshotel is home to a range of quirky hotel rooms, suites and shared workplaces that include a cafe, restaurant, bar and club. They also have a small spa on the rooftop complete with hot tub and sauna.
The hotel in based in the building where De Volkskrant newspaper was published for 42 years, and now is one of the largest creative grounds in the Netherlands.
The location is excellent, within walking distance of the trendy district of De Pijp. This is south of the city center, and is filled with fashionable shops, museums and Vondelpaark.
There are 177 hotel rooms that range from cosy nooks to spacious suites. They’re named after former employees of the newspaper and you’ll find lots of references to the newspaper through the interiors.
6. Sweets hotel
Price: ££
Hotel rating: 9
A radically different way to experience Amsterdam, Sweets has transformed 28 bridge houses on the canals into independent hotel suites across the city.
Bridge houses were once used by operators to open and close the city’s drawbridges. Each has been converted into a 1 bedroom suite. Each is unique – some are national monuments, some as on busy intersections whilst others are on quiet lakes.
You get everything you need in your room, including a comfy bed, tablet and a TV with Netflix. Of course, you get the classic canal view as well as a few homely touches.
7. Hotel De Hallen
Bellamyplein 47, Oud-West, 1053 AT
Price: ££
Hotel rating: 8.4
Stars: 4
Located in a former tram depot, Hotel de Hallen combines industrial feel with Scandinavian design. There’s a lovely abundance of greenery and art in the lobby, and the rooms are cosy and well decorated.
The listed building has really been returned to its former glory, keeping the original glass ceiling, exposed brick and metal walkways.
It’s based right next to Amsterdam’s most popular food hall in Oud-West.
8. Yays Crane Apartment
34 Surinamekade, Zeeburg, 1019 BH
Price: ££
Hotel rating: 9.3
Stars: 4
Want to spend the night in a luxury crane? Now you can, as the Yays Crane is one of the coolest hotels in Amsterdam.
This was the only crane left in place when the area was redeveloped in the 1980s, and now, it’s been restored and converted into a 2 bedroom apartment. You get a living room, kitchen, bedroom and bathroom.
Price: ££
Hotel rating: 9.5
Named after figures from Amsterdam’s golden age in the 1600s, this unique concept hotel features old world charm in droves. With just 13 opulent rooms, each is named after a historical figure.
All rooms have stunning four poster beds, timber ceilings, brass tubs and gilded paintings. You also get some nice modern touches, such as Dyson hairdryers and a Nespresso machine.
Breakfast is included.
10. Outside Inn
Ellermanstraat 31, 1114 AK
Price: £
Hotel rating: 9.1
Bringing camping to the indoors, Outside in is a quirky hotel concept that takes all the fun of camping and puts it inside a restored industrial building.
Stay in a cute retro caravan that’s been lovingly decorated with underfloor heating and comfortable beds. Or, you can opt for a tropical beach hut.
There’s shared bathrooms that are well organised and clean, as well as a communal lounge, terrace and bar.
11. The Exchange Hotel
Damarak 50, Amsterdam City Centre, 1012 LL
Price: £
Hotel rating: 7.4
Stars: 3
The Exchange is an ultra creative and cool hotel in Amsterdam, with amazing artistic interiors. It’s only a 5 minute walk from Dam Square, so an ideal location in the center of the city.
Rooms have been individually designed by graduates of the Amsterdam Fashion Institute, and verge into fantasy territory. You’ll see decor you won’t get anywhere else!
