The very moment we stepped inside Amsterdam’s Hotel TwentySeven, a doorman rushed over to greet us, take our coats and relieve us of our suitcases. It was the first clue about what kind of experience awaited us in this five-star hotel. We don’t often wallow in luxury, so staying at one of the most exclusive and award-winning spots in Amsterdam was quite a treat.
Within the first fifteen minutes, we were already running out of synonyms for “opulence”. Luxury, lavishness, excessiveness, richness: all these words passed our lips before we had even seen our room. “Extravagance,” whispered Jürgen. “Good one,” I whispered back. “Splendor.”
Even the building itself is iconic. We were following directions on our phones, and when we came into Dam Square, and saw this grand construction from 1916 directly across from the Royal Palace, we couldn’t believe it was actually our hotel. The suites are on the upper floors, but the lower floors are home to the King’s Club. Like, literally the “King”, who’s an infrequent but regular guest here.
The suites are magnificent. Of course they are. But the level of attention to detail was just beyond. We were staying in a suite with a view over the popular shopping street of Rokin. It had a massive sofa, gorgeous rugs, a large TV, a light system controlled by tablet, artwork on the walls, and that was just the first room! When our butler opened the doors to the bedroom, I wasn’t sure what was more exciting: the gigantic, cozy bed, or the fact that I could start using the term “our butler”.
The bathroom in our suite deserves its own article. It probably deserves its own blog. A huge jacuzzi and a maxi-sized showering room with two shower heads, which is also a sauna. As I was fawning over the automated bidet, Jürgen used the tablet to change the lighting scheme to a soothing blue, and I let out a little squeal of excitement. Who knows what our butler was thinking during this giddy inspection of our quarters? I’m going to assume she was amused!
Outside, the weather was awful… but for once we didn’t mind. It just gave us more of an excuse to stay indoors and enjoy role-playing as millionaires. We did force ourselves out in the evening to see Amsterdam’s Festival of Lights, but instead of appreciating the art installations set up in the canals, we spent the whole time plotting our return to the TwentySeven… “First we’ll take a bath! No, first the sauna! No, first aperitifs on the couch!”
The night we spent at the TwentySeven was the best we’ve slept in a long time. After the aperitifs, then the sauna, then the jacuzzi, we were in a good state for sleep. And it was only as we were laying down that we recognized one of the best features of the hotel: how utterly quiet it is. Despite being right downtown, with so much nightlife going on right outside our windows, we couldn’t hear a thing. They’ve sound-proofed the walls and windows, and the result is absolute peace.
The next morning we awoke early and hungry, and went downstairs to the restaurant. Given how incredible everything had been up to this point, we were expecting something special for breakfast … and again, the TwentySeven didn’t disappoint. We had what was basically a full breakfast buffet, but just for us, arranged on our table: smoked salmon, ham, brown butter, hummus, croissants, breads, chocolate pastries, cheeses and more. And then came our principal plates! Shakshuka for Jürgen and eggs benedict for Mike. We didn’t need to eat for the rest of the day.
It won’t surprise you to learn that a stay at Hotel TwentySeven doesn’t come cheap. And it probably won’t surprise you that we didn’t pay for this ourselves — the hotel had invited us for a night. But as always, the thoughts and opinions expressed on this blog are our own. It’s not always true that an expensive price tag or a 5-star rating guarantees an incredible experience, but the TwentySeven exceeds even the loftiest of expectations. If you’re in the position that you can afford it, I can’t imagine that there’s a better place to stay in Amsterdam.
From our Amsterdam Travel Blog.
