W Amsterdam | Hotel Review

Amsterdam, the capital of the Netherlands, is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Europe. The list of places to stay is ever-growing but very few can rival the W’s legacy. The W Amsterdam Hotel is such a some away from home in the center of all the action while visiting the Dutch capital! 

Located just off the bustling Dam Square, near the iconic canal district you’ll discover the magnificent property, W Amsterdam. The hotel offers 238 luxury rooms and suites spread over two charming, historic buildings (W Bank and W Exchange) to accommodate practically every traveler’s need. Some impressive features that are included with your stay is a heated rooftop pool, sundeck with views of the Royal Palace, a swanky cocktail bar & lounge, a refreshing spa, three incredible restaurants to choose from, and a fitness room with modern equipment that rivals any urban gym. The district surrounding the hotel is brimming with shops, restaurants, businesses, and residential buildings. Access to popular city sights is a breeze from this comforting hub.

The exchange building (which I stayed in) is known for its exciting party scene, as it houses the lounge, pool, and Mr. Porter restaurant, while the W Bank is more of a peaceful haven, with its relaxing spa, energizing juice bar, and lobby design gallery. The room’s overall style varies between your choice of staying in either the W Bank or W Exchange – regardless both have a modern and chic finish, with unique touches of Dutch culture. As for the bathroom, it has an interesting layout – there’s no formal separation between the bedroom, everything blends seamlessly in an open floor plan. The sink and the frosted glass shower cubicle is literally in the center of the room and is visible from anywhere within the room – no privacy except for the toilet stall (thank goodness). Honestly, I didn’t have an issue with it but I can foresee the layout being a bit uncomfortable for anyone traveling with a friend.

Book your stay at the W Amsterdam Hotel here! 

In-room amenities 

• Blackout drapes/curtains
• Air conditioning
• 24-hr Room service
• Daily Housekeeping
• Soundproof / Hypoallergenic / Non-smoking rooms
• Flat-screen TV
• Rollaway/extra beds (surcharge)
• Digital channels
• Premium channels
• Premium bedding
• Pillow menu
• Cushioned window bench
• Desk
• Phone
• Safe
• Bathroom (partially open)
• Bathrobes
• Designer toiletries
• Slippers
• Hairdryer
• Toilet paper
• Towels
• Minibar
• Free bottled water
• Espresso maker
• Connecting rooms available
• Iron/ironing board (on request)

Guests staying at the W Amsterdam won’t have to worry about being limited with dining options as there are 3 restaurants as well a lounge and bar – Mr. Porter, The Butcher, the Michelin Star restaurant The Duchess, and the W Lounge.

W Lounge 

This trendy cocktail bar, lounge, and nightlife venue is on the sixth floor of the Exchange building and is the first stop for all arriving guests at the hotel. The panoramic views of the city from here are really astonishing and are complemented with a gorgeous rooftop swimming pool (aka the Wet Deck) and four cozy terrace balconies. The whole layout of the space is enclosed in what looks like a glass box with accents of bold gold lines printed on the windows, comfy furnishing, and a circular fireplace. The wide arsenal of drinks and tasty finger foods will have you feeling refreshed! There are also tons of weekly activities to engage in such as pool parties, drag shows, yoga, and nightly live DJ sessions! Be sure to check their calendar for special W Happenings and extra special experiences.

Book your stay at the W Amsterdam Hotel here! 

The Butcher – Nine Streets

This popular gourmet burger bar is committed to serving mouth-watering burgers, creative cocktails, homemade milkshakes, and a selection of specialty beers to the whole of Amsterdam. Everything is prepared with the greatest craftsmanship! The chefs work exclusively with the highest quality Aberdeen Angus beef embellished with homemade semi-brioche bread, fresh vegetables & herbs, and topped with their secret signature sauce. I had the pleasure indulging in the classic Butcher burger with cheese which was cooked medium and paired with crispy fries and a strawberry milkshake (oh the gluttony!). The whole vibe of the place is super chill. There’s plenty of seating inside and even more outside. Don’t leave Amsterdam without giving this place a try. They have several locations throughout Amsterdam and have expanded in Berlin and Ibiza as well.

The Duchess

This jewel box of a restaurant was recently awarded a Michelin Star and was my favorite out of all the eateries at the W. and is open for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and afternoon tea. The soaring skylight ceiling fills the dining room with light, the space is adorned with large spiral chandeliers, lavish marble columns, a majestic bar, french tiles, stained-glass windows, a statue of Hermes, and a beautiful old fashioned standing clock. I couldn’t help but feel like I entered Hogwarts’ Great Hall. The menu is inspired by the light and refined flavors from Southern France and Italy. You can enjoy classics such as Fruits de Mer platters, rotisserie and grill specialties, and homemade ice-cream coupes to name a few. The bar list features 48 drink options which is more than the average bars in Amsterdam. I had the pleasure of sitting down for their new Valentine’s Afternoon Tea with one of my long time friends. The whole presentation was so enchanting and reminded me of an Alice in Wonderland tea party with an abundance of teacups, teapots and cake tiers with an array of delicate sweets, macaroons, éclairs, truffles, and cotton candies. The ambiance and service truly reflect the elegance of traditional London hospitality. I can’t recommend this beautiful experience enough!

Book your stay at the W Amsterdam Hotel here! 

Mr. Porter

Perched on the top of the W Amsterdam, you’ll encounter an incredible modern steakhouse that has both indoor and outdoor seating. The inside is decked out with brass and forest-green leather booths while the outside offers bird’s-eye views of Dam Square at one side and 9 Streets in the other direction. The menu has a ton of classic ingredients that are cooked with a modern twist. They have 11 different types of steaks to choose from all of which are dry-aged in house. In addition, you will also find a great list of vegetable-based options to choose from. If you’re in the mood for drinks, the restaurant does have a signature island bar and lounge to keep you mellowed out.

AWAY Spa

When you’re in the mood to decompress and soothe your mental health then make your way to AWAY spa. The refreshing treatment rooms and services such as hot stone massages and anti-aging cool plasma facials are available to help ease the senses and rejuvenate the soul, setting the vibe for a detoxifying, yet refueling, experience.

Book your stay at the W Amsterdam Hotel here! 

Fit

This state-of-the-art fitness facility adjacent to the Away Spa is open 24/7 and is loaded with a diverse set of equipment to help enhance your workout performance such as treadmills, elliptical machines, and stationary bikes mounted with LCD TVs, weight machines, free weights, yoga mats, balance balls & jump ropes. I devoted an hour each day at this incredible fitness space. The experience was made even more special while gazing at the cities iconic canals. If interested, personal training sessions are offered at €75 an hour.

Things to know

• Arriving from the airport (AMS) is about a 20-30 min drive.
• The hotel features a 24-hour “Whatever, whenever” service perk to cater to your every need and whim.
• Many of the dining and entertainment venues are in the Exchange Building.
• The exchange building is known for its exciting party scene. If that’s not the vibe you’re seeking then I recommend a room in the bank building for a quieter, more relaxing stay.
• Unfortunately, breakfast is not complimentary. The hotel has an extensive breakfast buffet that is served daily 7 AM–10:30 AM at Mr. Porter. 30 euros per person.
• Non-resident guests can come and enjoy the rooftop pool for a fee of 25 euros (Monday through Thursday) or 50 euros (Friday through Sunday).
• If you have spare time during your visit, check out X Bank which is a well-curated shop/gallery where you can discover all the latest fashion trends, gadgets, and art that Amsterdam has to offer.

Book your stay at the W Amsterdam Hotel here! 

Practical information 

Address | Spuistraat 175, 1012 VN Amsterdam, The Netherlands

What’s nearby | Magna Plaza, Madame Tussauds, Royal Palace, Dam Square, Anne Frank House, Amsterdam Museum

Number of Guest Rooms | 238 Guestrooms, including 23 suites.

Restaurants & Bars | 5 Restaurants / 2 bars/lounges and 1 poolside bar

Swimming Pools | 1 Outdoor Pool & 1 Indoor Pool (both opened year-round)

Services & Amenities | Room Service (24 hrs), Concierge, 24-Hour Reception, Airport shuttle, Air Conditioner, Laundry, Dry cleaning service, Luggage Storage, Daily housekeeping, Tour/ticket assistance, Porter/bellhop, Meeting rooms, Business center, ATM (on-site),  Convenience store (on-site), Bicycle rental, Fitness center, Meeting rooms, Business center, Spa, Hair/Beauty services, Wedding service, Turndown, Poolside lounge chairs

Parking | Free private parking is available onsite (reservation is not needed). Valet parking is also available.

Accessibility | Facilities for disabled guests, Wheelchair accessible, Bathroom accessible, Handrails in stairways

Internet | WiFi is available in all areas and is free of charge.

Pets | Pets allowed for an extra charge of EUR 75 per pet, per day – 1 per room (up to 44 lbs)

General | Elevators, Soundproof / Hypoallergenic / Non-smoking rooms, Terrace, Garden, Picnic area, Outdoor Furniture, Pool sun loungers

Safety & Security | 24-hour security, Security alarm, Smoke alarms, CCTV in common areas, CCTV outside property, Fire extinguishers, Safe

For more information on booking your stay at W Amsterdam, see here.

If any of you guys have any questions about this hotel, let me know! I would love to answer or help in any way. 😉

P.S. I dedicated an  Instagram story highlight just for Amsterdam – so definitely check that out to see most of what I talked about on video.

Book your stay at the W Amsterdam Hotel here!