Nederland

Following the current

A ray of sun lights the city as the barges cross each other under a charming bridge. Some inhabitants are seated on the terrace of a coffee shop while others munch on a herring sandwich purchased from a street vendor, as they surreptitiously observe the ladies in the windows of the red light district. Further on, a few tourists are selecting some multi-colored tulip bulbs in the hyperactive flower market, and all this activity to the ringing sound of bicycle warning bells. There’s no doubt. We’re in Amsterdam, the Venice of the North and the capital of the Netherlands, one of the “Low Countries”, or Holland, the birthplace of the Dutch Golden Age, and the birthplace of geniuses like Rembrandt, Vermeer and Franz Hals. From Amsterdam to Maastricht, from Rotterdam to Harlingen, guests can discover the charms of a rich culture and a hospitable country while staying at a luxury design, concept or totally unusual and original hotel

A good natured neighborhood

To take in the culture of Holland, head for the Jordaan, one of the country’s most well known quarters in the heart of Amsterdam. Also called the canal quarter, the Jordaan is a neighborhood of warm narrow streets filled with traditional cafes, trendy restaurants and a host of modern boutiques. For bargains, second hand flea markets and organic foods all rolled into one, the Noordermarkt is open Monday through Saturday. Further down, on the Prinsengracht, tourists can visit the house where Anne Frank and her family found refuge during World War II and where she wrote her world famous diary, as well as the Westerkerk or West Church. Going even further down at the beginning of the Elandsgracht, we come to four statues honoring local Amsterdam singers,which sets the tone for the atmosphere of the nearby bars. To fully enjoy the warm atmosphere of Jordaan, staying at the Toren, a warm and theatrical hotel located in a 17^th century building, is highly recommended. On the same side of the Keizergracht, next to the celebrated Dam Square, the Dylan, a former theatre converted into a boutique hotel, is another excellent place to stay in the quarter.

Modern

In a much more modern style, the triangle of hotels consisting of the Vondel, the College and the Hotel V guarantees guests comfort and easy access to the lively Leidesplein and Rembrandtplein quarters, where we find the Tuschinski, one of Europe’s most beautiful cinemas, or the museum quarter with the country’s largest collection in the Rijksmuseum and the Van Gogh, entirely dedicated to the genius’ work, as well as the Heineken Experience. The College Hotel Amsterdam has the advantage of being on a street in the De Pijp quarter, nicknamed Amsterdam’s Latin Quarter, in reference to the intense artistic life and cultural currents in constant movement. In this part of Amsterdam, it’s also pleasant to walk in the fresh air of the Vondelpark which which includes a cinema museum and an open air theatre where magnificent shows are presented during the summer.

Conceptual

Not far from Amsterdam, the small city of Ouderkerk aan de Amstel offers visitors a perfect setting for enjoying the Dutch countryside in small rustic looking villas from the outside, but with ultra luxurious design inside. The Lute Suites are actually former 18^th century cottages that used to house workers from the neighboring gunpowder factory and which were redesigned by Marcel Wanders into seven pavilions, each with its own unique ambiance. If staying in a city steeped in history is more to your liking, Maastricht is another must visit. Located in the heart of this picturesque city, the walls of the former Croisiers Covent are home to the superb Kruisherenhotel, which offers its guests an almost mystic serenity in the midst of naves, domes and mural paintings of the period. For those seeking excitement, the port city of Harlingen on the Wadden Sea proposes a totally original and somewhat off the wall room. Nicknamed “the spider”, the blue and white Harlingen crane, once used to unload ship cargo, has been transformed into a room for two perched 17 meters above the ground. This elevated nest possesses every possible comfort including Charles Eames furniture. The former machine room possesses a panoramic view of the city and the port, and it’s up to the guest to control the direction by being his own veritable crane operator.