Staying with small children in a big city can be quite a challenge. Often the crowds quickly become too much for them and most hotels are not well equipped for young guests. So, it is often much nicer to seek refuge near the beach or forest.
However, with teenagers it becomes a different story. Then suddenly the hustle and bustle of the city is often particularly challenging. In the case of our girls, there is an interest in shopping, eating out is not only a way to fill the stomach and a museum a day is very doable. All of this opens the door to new possibilities. To discover these, we will stay at the W Amsterdam. We must immediately add that this hotel also has an above-average grown-up vibe. Of course, it depends a bit on the children, but we think that the age above 16 will especially appreciate this hotel. Nevertheless, our daughters who are a lot younger had an exceptionally good time.
At the lobby
Split across two unique buildings, a former telephone exchange and a bank, W Amsterdam is an intriguing design mix of heritage and contemporary style. Mixing historical Dutch architectural elements with cutting-edge design right next to Dam Square, W Amsterdam is at the epicenter of this energetic and forward-thinking city. The hotel has no fewer than 238 stylish guest rooms, including 23 suites, three WOW suites and two lavish Extreme WOW Suites. All rooms can accommodate two or sometimes three people. For a family, this quickly means booking two rooms. Know that there are no connecting rooms, so as said it only works with independent children.
WOW!
Whichever room you choose, they are all beautiful and everything you need is at your fingertips. The beds sleep so well that it takes a lot of effort to get out both mornings. Which is a shame because the range of activities that are especially interesting for teenagers is overwhelming. We could fill a week based on all the information that is ready in the room. And then there is also the signature Whatever / Whenever concierge service: The W Insiders. They are in the know, well-connected with the local and with their intimate knowledge of the city they will offer you extra and unmistakable moments.
Perfect transformation from the former Kas Bank, now a 5-star hotel
Although there are many dedicated sites such as museums and the zoo, one of the best experiences is just to walk through the old city along the canals. Amsterdam was founded at the Amstel, that was dammed to control flooding, and the city's name derives from the Amstel dam. Originating as a small fishing village in the late 12th century, Amsterdam became one of the most important ports in the world during the Dutch Golden Age of the 17th century and became the leading center for finance and trade. In the 19th and 20th centuries, the city expanded and many new neighborhoods and suburbs were planned and built. The 17th-century canals of Amsterdam and the 19–20th century Defense Line of Amsterdam are on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Besides the old facades of the canal houses our girls are drown by the shops. They range from large high-end department stores such as De Bijenkorf founded in 1870 to small specialty shops. Amsterdam's high-end shops are found in the streets P.C. Hooftstraat and Cornelis Schuytstraat, which are in the vicinity of the Vondelpark. One of Amsterdam's busiest high streets is the narrow, medieval Kalverstraat in the heart of the city. Other shopping areas include the Negen Straatjes and Haarlemmerdijk and Haarlemmerstraat. Negen Straatjes are nine narrow streets within the Grachtengordel, the concentric canal system of Amsterdam. The Negen Straatjes differ from other shopping districts with the presence of a large diversity of privately owned shops. These streets have as the Negen Straatjes a large diversity of privately owned shops.
For our museum visit we choose the Tropenmuseum. As an ethnographic museum and one of the largest museums in Amsterdam, it accommodates eight permanent exhibitions and an ongoing series of temporary exhibitions, including modern and traditional visual arts and photographic works. The museum was founded to show Dutch overseas possessions, and the inhabitants of these foreign countries, such as Indonesia. In 1871 the institute began research to increase profits made off the colonies. This included attempting to develop improved means of producing coffee beans, rattan, and paraffin. The museum came under the influence of ethnologists, who added information on the economy, manners, and customs of the inhabitants. In 1926, they inaugurated the current building in East Amsterdam.
After a long day in which we have gained all kinds of new impressions, we settle down in one of the two restaurants of the W Amsterdam, The Duchess. This eyecatcher of a restaurant resides in one of the best-kept historic gems, the former KAS Bank in W Amsterdam Bank building. The atmosphere is a remarkable balance between the elegance of traditional London hospitality spiced up with some Viennese grandeur. The royal nature of The Duchess is captured in the refined flavors from Southern France and Italy, known as Nouveau-Niçoise Cuisine. In the end we do not really care about the exact name as everything is so delicious, we almost eat our fingers with it. And with a reason as The Duchess had been awarded with one star in 'Le Guide the Michelin' and is so far the only restaurant in the W Hotels portfolio with this prestige restaurant award.
Breakfast in The Duchess
The other restaurant Mr Porter is a classic steakhouse with a very classy and modern vibe. It is a kind of penthouse with an open kitchen next to a chic bar for 'sinful' cocktails and 'foxy bites'. It overlooks the rooftop W Lounge and fabulous, iconic outdoor pool. Whereas most of the hotel works perfectly well with (older) kids this is a grown-up place, excess to the pool is 21 years and older. So, you better stick with The Duchess and maybe even not show the kids this extravagant happening so they do not know where they miss out on. Of course, you can always sneak back in for a drink after the kids have gone to sleep latter in the evening.
Only on the second day of our stay we discovere the inhouse, insanely cool concept store X Bank. This 700-square-metre store showcases over 180 Dutch art, fashion and design labels and hosts unique programming year-round, ultimately aiming to bring the community together to celebrate Dutch creativity. It showcases labels ranging from high-end names like Piet Hein Eek and Marcel Wanders to smaller local names like Denham and United Nude. This is Amsterdam for those in the know. And after this city break, we are among them!
Please don’t forget, if your kids are above 16, do take them to the Spa including the Wet area and Fit area. There’s also a Wet pool on top, perfect to watch sunset. And in summer the ultimate destination with fashion and music events, but only accessible from the age of 21+.
Also great: in December and January, you can suprise the kids, when the city-centre lights up during Amsterdam Light Festival. Every year, artists from all over the world create light artworks. Best is to book yourself a boattrip to watch this amazing festival. And in Winter ice-skating wll probably be possible somewhere in Amsterdam, a fun thing to do when in the Netherlands!
WOW
# The W Amsterdam is an extremely funky hotel with meticulous attention to detail. The Exchange rooms were modern and comfortable with perfect detailing such as electric blinds and subtle painting on the walls.
# Besides being a design masterpiece, this hotel is ideal because of the location, just in the middle of city! Convenience store, tourist center, museums, public transport, good places to eat and visit just within a minute walk.
# What really makes this place is the staff, they are never less than exceptional in all our dealings with them.
