Crane Hotel Faralda
NDSM–Plein 78, Amsterdam, North Holland 1033 WB, The Netherlands
Why We Like It
If you’re willing to pay the big bucks for an experience unlike any other, you’ve found it here.
Fodor's Expert Review
If you're keen to stay in Amsterdam's most unique accommodations, you can't top (literally) one of the three luxe rooms built into a historic crane.
Tip Suffer from vertigo? Then this isn’t the hotel for you. Expecting 5-star service and -comfort or a pristine neighborhood? Keep looking.
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Room
Three tricked-out duplex suites include phenomenal skyline views, living rooms, designer furniture, soaking tubs and quirky touches like antique portholes, stuffed peacocks, and blue bulldog sculptures. While the décor ranges from a romantic Oriental vibe (the “Secret” suite) to industrial-meets-whimsical (the “Free Spirit” suite) and design-slash-disco (the “Mystique” suite), they won’t be to everyone’s taste. Queen-size Coco-Mat beds in the loft bedrooms are super comfy though, and there’s free WiFi, flat-screen TVs, coffee makers and air-conditioning.
You Should Know Picky sleepers beware: lights from the side of the crane shine into the room all night long (there are no curtains). Also, the bath is free-standing in the room. And there are steep stairs leading up to the bed.
Bathroom
Modern if a little dark, with Grohe rain showers, city views, and luxury Rituals bathroom products.
Lobby
An elevator or spiral staircase takes you up to the makeshift check-in area (there's no real public space to speak of), and then a second elevator whisks you even farther up to your room.
Pool
No, but there is a shared Jacuzzi on the top level with views so good you might forgive and forget all your other grievances (unfortunately it isn’t free).
Dining
Amenities are thin. There's water and wine in the minibar, but you'll need to head back to ground level for any other food.
Drinking
If you can’t find it in your minibar, it isn’t there… of course, it pays to remember that you’re on a crane and space is limited, but you might want to bring your own booze.
What's Nearby
Getting Around
A free 14-minute ferry deposits you from Centraal Station to the artsy-industrial NDSM district; from the dock, it's a 10-minute walk to the crane.
Restaurants
Urban beach hang-out Pllek (1-minute walk) offers organic, mostly vegetarian food in a charming setting made from recycled shipping containers (what else?). Restaurant-café De IJkantine, situated in the former NDSM shipyard dockworkers’ canteen, is a good place for a sandwich or bar snacks (4-minute walk), while steakhouse Loetje aan’t IJ (9-minute walk) has quite a devoted local following.
Bars
With its good selection of local craft beers, Pllek’s also a good place to go for a drink, but don’t miss the cultural cocoon that is café-restaurant Noorderlicht (6-minute walk), a hippie canteen with views for days, nearby.
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