Rosewood Amsterdam

The hotel’s concept was what we loved most. Even as walk-in guests, we enjoyed the extra touches meant to indulge the senses, from the small exhibition and visual art to all the varied design details. The virtual video installation was the best, and the marble machine was great too. We sat in the lobby with drinks and snacks to celebrate my friend’s birthday, and the comfortable chairs overlooking the courtyard set a nice mood. The service fell short, though. Our waiter was cold and distant, and seemed closed off when we tried to chat or ask about the hotel and its other services. We didn’t feel welcome. Maybe we were unlucky, but after reading such great staff reviews, it was a shame. I gave 4/5 mainly because the service was only average. In my opinion, a luxury hotel should make guests feel at home and show real hospitality, even when they’re only stopping in for a walk-in visit, without discrimination.

One thing to check when booking is the room layout if stairs are a concern. Our grand premier canal view room had three floors connected by very narrow stairs: a small entry on the first, the bedroom on the second, and the bathroom on the third. There was also a small step up into the shower and toilet room. We managed, but weren’t told about this beforehand and might have chosen another room if we’d known. The hotel itself is beautiful and well located, easy to walk to many areas and very close to the tram. The concierge team arranged our transfers and daily walking tours, and everything went smoothly. The in-room dining, The Court, and Eeuwen all had solid food options. We had a wonderful five-night stay and can’t recommend the hotel enough.

The toilets flush the other way around, literally. That fits the Rosewood Amsterdam in a way, since it seems to enjoy doing things differently from other hotels. The Portier is friendly and talkative, and the staff make guests comfortable with personal, bespoke service. The art collection is just as unique. It all feels warm and professional. I’m not surprised the toilets even flush the other way.

I’d been looking forward to the Amsterdam opening because I’ve always been a fan of the restaurants and bars at Rosewood London. My December visit to the bar was a big disappointment. The €19 cocktail came in a small cup that looked and felt like disposable plastic. A staff member later told me it was glass, but it really seemed like plastic. It had a paper straw with a green decoration that looked more at home in an amusement park than a luxury hotel. The glasses and serving vessels felt very underwhelming. They need a complete rethink and upgrade, including the cups and glasses.