Fodor's Expert Review Hotel V Fizeaustraat
Fizeaustraat 2, Amsterdam, North Holland 1097 SC, The Netherlands See on Map
Tucked away in a tuindorp (a green “garden village”) mere minutes from Amstel Station, Hotel V Fizeaustraat takes its inspiration from architect Piet Zanstra’s 70s office block. Refurbished with a twenty-tens take on the era that taste forgot, vintage rattan, quirky tie-dyed wallpaper, and geometric wood floors whimsically mesh with industrial concrete, trendy tropical motifs, and warm copper. The result is a retro tour de force; hip yet accessibly so. Friendly staff, who are always happy to help, complete the picture.
YOU SHOULD KNOW If you prefer to be close to the hustle and bustle of the center, this hotel probably isn’t for you.
room
Generous−even in the cheapest category, the so-called “Comfort” class−with comfortable king size beds, wooden desks, arm chairs (larger rooms also come with couches), smart TVs, minibars, and Nespresso machines. Textural metallic macramé wall hangings, rattan seating and retro Marshall radios build on the Seventies motif, while sleek handmade wooden floors, steel shelving, and raw concrete make it modern. The color scheme reflects the hotel’s leafy surroundings with plenty of green, warmed by gold, amber, and copper.
bathroom
Roomy with walk-in rain showers, matte black taps, and trendy geometric tiles in a black, white and taupe color scheme, and fluffy white robes and slippers.
Make sure to grab plenty of Hotel V’s sublime sandalwood-scented Etika amenities before you go.
lobby
A man-sized chandelier made of bicycle chains is the eye-catcher when you enter this inviting green and gold lobby, where you’ll often find a black cat purring away in one of the Peacock Chairs. The hotel staff have dubbed her “the guest who won’t check out” (there’s even a video on YouTube), and who can blame her? It’s a very comfortably turned out place, indeed, with leather couches and plenty of magazines with which to curl up.
pool
No.
spa
No.
gym
No.
dining
Hotel V Fizeaustraat lets you choose a sweet and savory breakfast option a la carte, such as blueberry pancakes with bacon, and eggs Florentine with zesty Hollandaise sauce and heaps of spinach. While the gut-busting gratis breakfast is more than enough to keep you going all day, there’s also an excellent 3-course lunch (the tortellini with ceps, fried bone marrow, and peas is particularly good!) and famously good flammkuchen. Dinner at The Lobby Fizeaustraat attracts an interesting cross-section of in-the-know foodies, gray-haired neighborhood residents and hip hotel guests.
Book in advance. While there are many restaurants a short bicycle ride away, you don't want to miss this one, and it gets booked up fast.
drinking
The Lobby Bar, with its log-burning fireplace and comfy chairs, is popular with the local laptop crowd, but also a perfectly nice place to spend a rainy afternoon reading. Enjoy a cocktail on the large outside terrace (the Indian Dark ‘n Stormy offers an invigorating ginger hit), weather permitting, or at the retro wood paneled bar.
LOCATION
Getting Around
Situated between the stunning 17th-century Frankendael park and the picturesque Amstel river, where you can swim or relax on the grassy banks, you won’t have too far to go in the warmer months, but for sight-seeing, you won’t regret hiring a bike €15 per day). You’re also only an 8-minute walk from Amstel Station, where you can catch a train, tram, bus or the metro into the historic center and beyond. Do bring your car (there’s a parking garage in the basement; €20 per day).
Restaurants
For a slow food feast featuring plenty of regional products, set in the former coach house of Amsterdam’s last manorial estate, bike through 17th-century Frankendael Park to Restaurant Merkelbach (5-minute cycle). Popular Eastside eatery Rijsel (7-minute cycle) is renowned for its rotisserie chicken and French-Flemish fare. Or if you’re more in the mood for burgers and beer, Smokin’ Barrels (7-minute cycle) is a must.
WHY WE LIKE IT
With its cool kid looks, cozy vibe and affordable price-point, you’re getting so more for your money at Hotel V Fizeaustraat.
QUICK FACTS
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