Fodor's Expert Review Sofitel Legend The Grand Amsterdam

If the walls of this historic hotel in the Old Center could talk, they’d have six centuries’ worth of tales to tell. Stories about the building’s beginnings as a 14^th-century convent. About its elevation to become royal lodgings, and later the grand headquarters of the Admiralty of Amsterdam. And certainly, they would gush about former Queen Beatrix’s wedding here in the 1960s, when the building was Amsterdam’s city hall. Now one of the city’s best deluxe hotels, Sofitel Legend The Grand Amsterdam won 13 prestigious awards in 2016 alone, including “Best Luxury City Hotel Europe” at the World Luxury Hotel Awards, “Best Historical Luxury Hotel Global” at the Haute Grandeur Global Awards and “The Netherlands’ Leading Hotel” at the World Travel Awards.

room

Architect Sybille de Margerie’s understated design underlines original architectural details with classic French elegance and modern flourishes referencing the famous people who’ve passed through, including William of Orange, Maria de Medici, Henry Hudson and Winston Churchhill (some line-up, eh?). There are 177 well-sized rooms, including 10 interconnecting rooms, 52 suites with butler service and 12 Canal House suites--all richly decorated in soft beiges, lilacs, and creams with mahogany, marble and steel.

bathroom

In one word: wow! These are some lovely bathrooms. Super spacious, with walk-in rain showers and luxurious Hermès bath products. In the suites, you’ll find wet rooms with bath tubs and built-in TVs.

lobby

High arched ceilings and a perfectly symmetrical marble floor are all remnants of a very grand past, and fantastic floral arrangements are a nod to the Netherlands’ still-flourishing flower trade. The adjacent Library 'Or' has an extensive collection of books about local culture, architecture, and style.

To take some of Holland’s best and most beautiful blooms home with you, visit the on-site Floral Boutique (a florist to the King, no less!), which also stocks an assortment of fashionable vases and personalized gift baskets.

pool

There's a heated in-door swimming pool with jetstream and Jacuzzi, and an adjacent sauna and Turkish steam bath.

spa

Enjoy a body toning treatment, anti-aging facial or one of the many other spa treatments featuring premium products from Carita, Cinq Mondes and Soin Sublime by Marisa Berenson at the 350m2 So Spa.

gym

A small fitness room is equipped with Technogym equipment and a Kinesis Training System.

dining

With views of the oldest canal in Amsterdam and stunning art by revered Dutch CoBrA artist Karel Appel, stylish seafood restaurant Bridges has won many fans as well as a Michelin Star and numerous awards, including “Best Luxury Seafood Restaurant Europe” at the World Luxury Restaurant Awards and “Best Culinary Experience Netherlands” at the Haute Grandeur Awards. The best hotel breakfast in the city (we think) is also served here, with a more-than-generous buffet offering and a la carte options including Belgian waffles, Norwegian eggs, and dim sum (yes, really!).

Adjacent, you’ll find Le Petit Bistro, which serves modern interpretations of French bistro classics, as well as the Food Bar, where free oysters are served every Friday night from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. The Grand Afternoon Tea−highly recommended!−is served in the Library ‘Or’ or the serene Amsterdam School style garden terrace, weather permitting. On Sundays in the summer, there’s also jazzy live music in the courtyard garden.

YOU SHOULD KNOW Dining at The Grand may melt your credit card, but it’s absolutely worth it. Clearly, this much class comes at a cost.

drinking

There are bountiful ways to imbibe at The Grand, from a cigar lounge to a vinothèque and cocktail bar, and there’s even a traditional Dutch brown café, The Flying Dutchman with its own outside terrace.