Rosewood Amsterdam review – The Points Guy

No two Amsterdam hotels are alike, but even so, the Rosewood Amsterdam still manages to wow with its singularity.

The monumental brick building it now occupies was once a 17th-century orphanage before becoming the city’s Palace of Justice, complete with former courtrooms and even holding cells … so yeah, it’s probably haunted (though we didn’t witness any paranormal activity during our visit).

Those historic bones are quite special, but it’s thanks to a decadelong, multimillion-dollar renovation that the hotel feels completely au courant. Designed by Studio Piet Boon, Rosewood Amsterdam is meant to be a living work of art. It has one of the most comprehensive hotel art collections in the world, comprising over 1,000 pieces — including an interactive sculpture titled “Statica” by Frederik Molenschot in the entrance, several pieces by Frank Stella, rotating exhibits in collaboration with the Nxt Museum and even a vending machine that sells cheeky miniature sculptures by artist Casper Braat.

The sculpture-filled central garden designed by Piet Oudolf (whose work you might know from New York City’s High Line) and the hushed subterranean spa complex, complete with a sultry swimming pool, underscore the effect.

1 of 2

ERIC ROSEN/THE POINTS GUY

Of course, you’ll find the usual mix of cashmere-clad creatives and dignified business folk you’re likely to spot at any Rosewood city outpost. But at least the ones here seem to take time out of their schedules to enjoy a stroll under the Prinsengracht’s elms or to sip on a cocktail inspired by the city’s 1960s Provo counterculture movement at Advocatuur.

We joined their ranks for a few nights this fall to see what all the buzz was about and what it’s like to stay at Amsterdam’s newest luxury hotel.

Rosewood Amsterdam location

The Rosewood Amsterdam is in the city’s historic canal district, a UNESCO-listed area near many of Amsterdam’s major tourist attractions. In fact, this will be the last major hotel to open along the canals for a long time to come due to a ban on new hotel construction in the city center enacted to combat overtourism.

From Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS), you can catch frequent trains to Centraal Station for 5.20 euros ($6) each way. The journey takes just 15-20 minutes, and from there, you can catch a tram for 3.40 euros ($4) to one of the stops near the hotel. Alternatively, an Uber to or from the airport costs around 30-40 euros ($35-$47) and takes around 30-50 minutes, depending on traffic.

Rosewood Amsterdam booking details

Although it has just 134 keys, the Rosewood Amsterdam offers 26 — yes, 26 — different categories of rooms, suites and specialty “houses,” the latter of which number just five.

Reward your inbox with the TPG Daily newsletter

Join over 700,000 readers for breaking news, in-depth guides and exclusive deals from TPG’s experts

By signing up, you will receive newsletters and promotional content and agree to our Terms of Use and acknowledge the data practices in our Privacy Policy. You may unsubscribe at any time.

1 of 2

ERIC ROSEN/THE POINTS GUY

Nightly rates at the Rosewood Amsterdam start at 723 euros ($843) for rooms in the standard Deluxe category. The Canal View Executive Suite I stayed in starts at 1,560 euros ($1,819) per night.

The Rosewood Amsterdam is part of American Express Fine Hotels + Resorts, so if you have the American Express Platinum Card® or The Business Platinum Card® from American Express, you can make a booking through amextravel.com and receive perks like availability-based upgrades, up to a $100 credit to use on-property during your stay for things like drinks or meals, complimentary daily breakfast for two, and guaranteed 4 p.m. late checkout.

After these two cards’ recent revamps, both now offer a biannual $300 (up to $600 per calendar year) statement credit on prepaid stays at Amex Fine Hotels + Resorts properties, so you could save $300 on a reservation at Rosewood Amsterdam if you are able to leverage that perk.

Standout features

• Phenomenal location in Amsterdam’s charming canal district.
• Gorgeous, art-filled public spaces and rooms.
• Advocatuur has quickly become one of Amsterdam’s coolest cocktail bars.

Drawbacks

• The preponderance of room categories can make booking complicated.
• Room rates are high, even for Amsterdam’s luxury hotel scene.
• There are just two accessible accommodations.

Rosewood Amsterdam rooms and suites

My Canal View Executive Suite was up on the third floor with panoramic windows overlooking the Prinsengracht and walls painted in a handsome silvery-blue alluding to the city’s famous waterways.

A rounded sectional upholstered in topaz brown felt both contemporary and reminiscent of the sumptuous furnishings in Amsterdam’s well-preserved house museums.

1 of 2

ERIC ROSEN/THE POINTS GUY

Along with a Nespresso machine and all manner of local goodies like Wilhelmina mints, the minibar was provisioned with a variety of handcrafted bottled cocktails and a bottle of the hotel’s own house-distilled Provo Dutch jenever.

The bedroom boasted equally postcard-worthy canal views that seemed to be echoed by a large-scale wall painting with sinuous, inky lines bordered by green surroundings. Its main attraction for me, however, was the enormous king bed dressed in 600-thread-count Rivolta Carmignani linens, which was just the restful respite I needed after days of dodging bicycles on Amsterdam’s busy streets.

The bathroom suite was also a welcoming space with mocha-colored marble sinks, a deep soaking tub with canal views and a positively grandiose walk-in shower stocked with Votary rosemary-chia hair and body products.

Rosewood Amsterdam restaurants and bars

There are three main dining and drinking establishments at Rosewood Amsterdam.

The Court

Located in the lobby with views of the garden and a beautiful courtyard that’s popular when the weather is fine, The Court is the hotel’s all-day casual space, offering coffee and pastries in the morning and drinks accompanied by heartier fare in the evening.

1 of 2

ERIC ROSEN/THE POINTS GUY

Advocatuur

Advocatuur is the hotel’s swanky cocktail lounge, located just down the hall from the entrance.

One parlor is a maximalist melange of blood-red walls and seating vignettes with boldly patterned upholstery. The main bar, however, feels like a trippy courtroom (in a good way) with angular overhead lights and a moodily lit marble-topped counter.

There, friendly mixologists will whip up signature cocktails inspired by Amsterdam’s counterculture Provo movement faster than you can plead “not guilty.” The J’accuse is a smoky delight concocted from The Macallan 12-year whisky, oxidized barley, nori-infused verjus and kalamata olive-tinged white chocolate ($24).

There is also a menu of Indian-inspired bar bites on offer. The bartenders might treat you to a sip of the house-made Provo jenever crafted by master distiller Alex Davies, and even show off the gleaming copper pot still, nicknamed Irene, that is used to make batches of it right next to the bar.

1 of 2

ERIC ROSEN/THE POINTS GUY

Those with a real interest in the spirit might be invited to a private tasting in one of the building’s old holding cells, whose graffiti and etchings inspired the jenever’s label.

Eeuwen

Although its name means “centuries” in Dutch, chef David Ordóñez’s menus at the hotel’s flagship restaurant, Eeuwen, draw their bounty from the seasons, which feels fitting given its greenhouse-like ambience.

Dinner might start with ultrafresh oysters served with red plums, buttermilk and lovage oil ($18 for two) and continue with luscious North Sea langoustines grilled and served in a savory nage with a puree of young carrots, leeks, and an umami mushroom XO sauce ($42).

The juicy monkfish with white beans and trompette de la mort mushrooms in salted lemon beurre blanc and chicken jus ($42) is a hearty yet refined main, but leave room for the piping-hot buckwheat plum clafoutis with honey sabayon, creme fraiche and tangy kaffir lime ($19).

1 of 2

ERIC ROSEN/THE POINTS GUY

Eeuwen is also the setting for leisurely breakfasts that include flaky pastries, bowls of seasonal berries, and specialties like toasted rye bread heaped with avocado, eggs and Amalfi lemon ($27) and fluffy traditional poffertjes (miniature pancakes) dusted with powdered sugar and served with blueberry coulis ($14).

Rosewood Amsterdam amenities and service

From the smiling doormen helping visitors with their designer luggage to the nattily dressed crew in reception and the well-informed waitstaff at Eeuwen and Advocatuur, Rosewood Amsterdam’s staff is dialed in. Need a rundown of events currently taking place in town? The concierge has you covered. Want to talk through the cocktail menu at Advocatuur? There’s no rush as you run down the options with the bartenders.

As for amenities, the hotel’s wellness suite is located below ground level, where guests will find the spa, pool and fitness center.

The gym, though compact, is equipped with the latest Technogym cardio and weight machines, plus plenty of free weights.

The pool area feels like a sanctuary thanks to its placid lap pool and a dreamily lit white wall with a rippling textured effect. Guests can also take advantage of a steam room and sauna down here.

The Asaya Spa, meanwhile, offers a full slate of treatments utilizing products from of-the-moment labels like organic Dutch brand The Tides and Australian Ayurvedic-inspired Subtle Energies.

Rosewood Amsterdam accessibility

Thanks to ramps and elevators, the hotel’s public areas, including the spa, are all wheelchair accessible, though guests might have to use specific entrances or pathways. There are two wheelchair-accessible rooms, so if you have mobility or hearing and sight requirements, it is advisable to contact the hotel directly in order to book accommodations that meet your needs.

Checking out

After 10 years and many millions of dollars in historical preservation and renovations, the Rosewood Amsterdam certainly made a splash along the city’s canals when it opened earlier this year.

It has maintained that buzz thanks to standout bars and restaurants, an impressive art collection, and some of the Dutch capital’s most luxurious accommodations. While the limited room count and high price point are likely to make the hotel too rarefied for many travelers, if it is within your budget, a stay at the Rosewood Amsterdam is well worth it to experience its unique spaces and incredible art collection.

Related reading: