Hotels rarely rate as vacation highlights, especially in famous international cities.
The Radisson Blu Hotel in Amsterdam is an exception.

Two months after our stay in Amsterdam, our family still raves about this perfect hotel.

Location, amenities, friendliness, “coolness” – this hotel has it all.

Location

The strategic location of the hotel can’t be overemphasized. Many Amsterdam natives don’t even know that the hotel exists, and that’s a good thing for hotel guests.

Nestled between two canals, the hotel consists of actually two buildings, rebuilt in the 18th and 19th centuries and connected via an underground walkway (or an eight-step walk across the street). This “hidden” location, in the historical heart of Amsterdam, is a goldmine for visitors. The hotel is literally 4 ½ blocks from the liveliest section of Amsterdam – Dam Square – but one would never sense it. The quiet, safe and picturesque side streets immediately surrounding the hotel provide an appreciated buffer.

Other famous landmarks are also nearby and easily accessible. For instance, the architecturally wondrous Rijksmuseum, which contains works of Rembrandt and other famous artists, is a 10-minute walk from the hotel. The Van Gogh Museum, directly behind the Rijkmuseum, further tempts visitors on beautiful ground that features ponds, the “I amsterdam” attraction and nearby Vondelpark.

Again, the Radisson Blu Hotel is not right on top of these attractions. Instead, lodgers get the best of both worlds – being able to leisurely stroll 10 blocks and anticipate the attractions as they continue to approach them, rather than hearing and seeing thousands of people right outside their hotel.

We caught the nearby Blue Boat Company for a scenic tour floating on the dozens of Amsterdam canals; however, the hotel can arrange canal boat rides for guests.

The Anne Frank House caused moving, near-tearful moments for our family, as the actual building and interior house components created an aura that could never be created by a replica. Again, the 10-minute walk was convenient, plus the Royal Palace and Dam Square were situated between the hotel and Anne Frank House.

In addition, the hotel is 10 minutes from Amsterdam Central train station and 20 minutes from Schiphol Airport.

Amenities

The hotel didn’t win Global Hotel of the Year 2021 among the Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group by accident.

Many of the 248 state-of-the-art, nonsmoking rooms are recently renovated and feature design themes of Golden Age (with golden wallpaper, traditional Amsterdam lamps and windmills), Scandinavian, Naturally Cool or Maritime (think the East India Company, established in 1602).

Because of the unusual layout of the two-building hotel, the rooms are quite varied, all the way up to Superior Class, Business Class, Executive Rooms and Suites. Some offer floor-to-ceiling windows; others offer a small flight of stairs for an Amsterdam-style apartment vibe complete with wooden beams.

Besides free Wi-Fi, the hotel includes nine spacious meeting rooms, a generous workout room, and a slick basement gallery that includes works from Dutch painters, European artists and an artistic butterfly garden.

The Pastorie Bar features impressive history. It was initially connected to a clandestine church in which Catholics and other religious dissenters, unable to worship in public at the time, held services. The original church was demolished in 1954. Only the vicarage and part of the rear elevation survived and are still visible today.

But for my family, it’s all about the food, and the Radisson Blu Hotel delivers in grand fashion.

The breakfast buffet features moist, carve-your-own breads; pain au chocolat and other croissants; eggs and breakfast meats; various yogurts and cereals; memorable hot chocolate; and much more.

The dinner, at the cozy Brasserie de Palmboom, featured the local character of fresh daily goods and seasonal Dutch produce. For instance, the chefs work with only certified MRIJ cattle that are specially bred and raised on a balanced diet in the Meuse-Rhine-Ijssel (MRIJ) region of the Netherlands and Germany. The result was an outstanding hanger steak and bacon cheeseburger. Slow-cooked veal featured extremely mild Dutch Brie cheese.

Even some of the items in the stocked room refrigerator are on the house.

Friendliness

The restaurant wait staff is outstanding, and the behind-the-counter service sublime. These people are cheerful and seemingly have a mission to make every guests’ experience a truly memorable one.

They offer oversized, complimentary umbrellas; free maps; and much more – including a free smile.

Coolness

The mirrored, interior facade of the north building can’t be beat. My son and I were entranced by looking out our interior window, only to see a reflection of our side of the hotel.

The fitted glass rooftop of the south building was revolutionary at the time it was built, in 1901, and still captivates the eye.

The buildings boast a rich history, going back to 1608 when a sugar baker bought the property and used the building as a beer brewery, only to convert it into lodging. Through the years, the building became a casino, auction house, cigar factory and more.

Rusland Street, in which the hotel is situated, once had a canal that was later filled, making it one of the wider streets in the historical city center. Yet, to Americans, it appears quite narrow.

The exterior of the hotel features the unmistakable coat of arm depicting lions “protecting” the queen’s crown.

The entire area is protected on the UNESCO World Heritage list. Now, that’s cool.

For more information on the Radisson Blu Hotel in Amsterdam, visit www.radissonblu.com/hotel-amsterdam.