Hotel de L' Europe
In a picturesque setting on the Amstel River and overlooking the Mint Tower, Hotel d l'Europe is still considered one of the very best hotels in the city. The extravagant historical building provides a romantic setting, and an excellent staff keeps the operation running smoothly. Stepping inside is like going back in time to the 19th century. The white marble clad lobby is intimate yet elegant at the same time.
Opposite the desk is a wide gallery overflowing with museum-quality art and antiques. It terminates in a refined lounge. The paintings are a selection of Dutch masters from the private collection of owner and braumeister Freddie Heineken. This highlight draws curious onlookers, many of whom attend the notable afternoon tea.
Dinners are an event in the renowned celebrity hangout, Restaurant Excelsior, an elegant, skylighted, jackets-required room cantilevered over the canal. A canal-side table here is one of the most romantic spots in Amsterdam. Dinner is accompanied by discreet live piano music. The house sommelier has more than 30,000 bottles stored in the wine cellar. Dinner reservations are mandatory, and guests should make them when booking rooms. The less formal brasserie, Le Relais, serves food from noon to midnight. The clubby, velvet-draped Freddy's Bar also is popular. An attractive canal-side terrace is open in the summer for relaxed outdoor dining, weather permitting.
A small pool surrounded with sculpture entertains young and old. A small fitness center crowded with state-of-the-art exercise equipment, a sauna and massage rooms occupy more serious athletes.
The guest rooms are decorated in restrained traditional style, although there is no shortage of swags and drapes, and fruit baskets and bottled water are provided upon arrival (and champagne in suites). Gold, cream and royal blue dominate the color schemes. All rooms have electronic locks, elegant furniture (including many choice antiques), phones, data ports, wireless high-speed Internet access (for a fee), TVs and minibars tucked into armoires. The marble baths are equipped with phones, robes, slippers, vanity mirrors, hair dryers, and opaque glass doors that separate WCs with bidets and stall showers. Toiletries are by Bvlgari. Some rooms have entire walls of cupboards, and foyers boast lovely corner cabinets filled with bric-a-brac. Studios are much larger than standard rooms, and sumptuous suites in the tower have whirlpool tubs set under skylights. Some 50 rooms boast balconies with canal views, and rooms ending in -32 offer deep bay windows in lieu of balconies—fine choices during the colder seasons.
Room service and housekeeping are on hand 24 hours a day. Pets are permitted in rooms for a small charge, and small dogs are allowed in public areas if on a leash. Smoking is not allowed in public areas, but smoking and smoke-free rooms are available. There is also a smoking room for restaurant and hotel guests.
For those who appreciate historic elegance, this is the place to be in the center of the action.
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