SWEETS - Hortusbrug

The construction right outside the terrace really took away from our stay. Portable toilets were placed in front of it, and the outdoor areas weren’t usable, which affected the view and atmosphere. I understand construction can’t always be avoided, but I wish we’d been told in advance so we could have made other arrangements. I emailed SWEETS Hotels about it after our stay, at the beginning of May, and still haven’t heard back from customer support. The place itself is beautiful and unique, with a romantic feel and striking architecture that Bauhaus fans would love. It’s centrally located for the main attractions. Overall it could be a lovely romantic getaway, but ours came with an unexpected twist.

I picked this hotel for the huge windows and its location, and the windows were definitely worth it. The view is lovely, with museums nearby and the Hortus Botanicus next door, while the area stays quiet. We got complimentary tickets for the garden, which is definitely worth visiting. The canal is peaceful by day, then lively with tour boats and rowing teams in the evening. You can hear the tram crossing the bridge, but it didn’t disturb our sleep. The room was clean, well stocked, and well equipped, with robes, plenty of linen and utensils, board games, a Bluetooth speaker, and a small library. The few English books were good and relevant. It was fun trying the red and blue chair by Rietveld after seeing it at the Rijksmuseum earlier that day. The heating, including the heated floor, was great in peak winter. The old wooden curtain boards didn’t bother us much. Check-in was fine, though it took a little time because my phone’s NFC wouldn’t easily activate the door. They had a key card for us to use after we got inside. It’s close to trams and downtown, and a quiet spot despite being right by a well-known, partly busy canal. The washroom is tiny, but usable. Great one-night stay.

I could sit on the balcony and watch cruise boats go by as the sun went down. The place was clean, with wifi and a comfortable bed. It’s a terrific little spot so close to the city and tram line, which was easy to use. I’d stay again.

We’d passed Hortusbrug many times and always liked the tower’s architecture. The room is inside it, and the concept is unique and lovely. The interior has clearly been designed with care, and the views along the canal, over the bridge, and toward the botanical garden are wonderful. The view works both ways, though, and there aren’t proper curtains to block people looking in. You have to close the shutters all the way, which makes the room feel less charming. That’s why I’m giving it 3 out of 5 stars. It’s an unusual stay, and we may try one of the other locations in the future.