Set in Amsterdam's hip Jordaan district, Canal House is everything you'd want it to be: stylish, friendly and spoiling. Made up of 3 Golden Age merchant's houses overlooking the Keizersgracht canal, it boasts a wonderfully peaceful garden to the rear (which is one of the biggest in central Amsterdam), 23 supremely comfortable and romantic bedrooms, and spacious common areas.
Step inside and you're greeted by wall-to-wall repros of Dutch Master paintings in beautiful gilded frames, a drawing room overlooking the canal, and plush décor throughout. At the heart lies The Great Room, once a ballroom, with its stunning stucco ceilings, ebony walls and contemporary lighting. There's original artwork in each room, and quirky pieces such as a collection of antique pendant lights or a cabinet of vintage curiosities. Walls, curtains and fabrics are in rich hues - on trend yet in perfect homage to traditional heritage. Big comfy armchairs are just the ticket after days of shopping and sightseeing, or if you've got enough energy left to socialise, pull up a stool at the mirrored bar and try the signature martini.
Highs
- Stylish rooms with plum velvet bedspreads, leather sofas and silk walls
- Delightful service, a perfect balance of friendliness and professionalism
- The Jordaan and Nine Streets districts are known for restaurants and cafés, the Anne Frank house and for independent boutiques
- A lot of thought has been put into the finer details: hi-tech lighting, beautiful mosaic tiling and fancy toiletries
- Ideal for couples, though solo guests or business travellers will appreciate the friendly atmosphere
Lows
- No restaurant but there's an all-day snack menu; staff can recommend dozens of great local eateries
- Noise may carry between rooms; some rooms look onto a light-well
- The quirky layout means steep windy stairs to certain bedrooms (there are lifts), and going through the kitchen to reach others
- While the breakfast buffet is included in the rates, hot beverages and dishes cost extra
Best time to go
Amsterdam is a year-round city. In winter, the many coffee shops and bars nearby all have open fires. In summer, you can enjoy the hotel garden, but you should be prepared for crowds at the main sights and museums. From late March to early April, the 2,000 tulip bulbs in the hotel's garden raise their heads to herald spring.
Our top tips
The Vondelpark is great for cycling around and is beside three excellent museums. Visit the Rijksmuseum for Old Dutch Masters including Rembrandt's masterpiece Night Watch and the fascinating 17th-century dolls houses; the Van Gogh Museum features an unparalleled collection and an intimate and moving account of his life, and the Stedelijk Museum displays lively modern art. You can rent bikes by the hotel
Our guests' ratings...
Based on 6 independent reviews from i-escape guests
We got the corner room on the second floor! A tucked haven with garden views, and the glassed tea room reminded me of how cosy and toasty it can be, until I actually went down the next (wintery) morning - it was toasty! The room is right for two people (us), a third person would feel cramped. Lovely modern furnishings, the bath tub next to the bed (a little daring!), well appointed details - beverages, and refreshments etc. Lovely exotic feel, artsy and decadent! The breakfast was fulfilling! Totally well thought through. Fruits, eggs, cold cuts, eggs, juices, sourdough and other breads, yogurts and mueslis, large selection of teas/coffees- all fresh and inviting ! Lyndon and Melanie - two very kind souls and competent in their recommendations and help in getting us comfortable. The welcome drink - divine (ginger and tea warm extract) not to be missed! Also, the evening cocktails- Moscow Mule, and Aperol - on point. Like I said, it's top notch service - discreet and yet, warm. Location Location Location - We did the Anne Frank House (very close), Leidsplein, Museumsplein, Canal tours, and more. Everything - restaurants, shows, shopping is literally next door. Canal house is a gem. 300 + years of history, an apt geography, and lots of chemistry for artsy audience that appreciate the finer things in life. PS - very smooth booking process with I-escape (prompt and precise in their communications). This one is a memory's keeper!
Location location location.... excellent. Easy access to the wonderful canals of Amsterdam. The staff were wonderful as very helpful. Our room was not ready when we arrived after 4:00pm and so were greeted with a complimentary drink of our choice in the peaceful garden.
Peaceful courtyard garden on a hot summers day was a real bonus - offering a very peaceful reprieve from the hectic streets. View from our Great room into a central well was in our opinion unattractive but the bed and the pillows (usually a problem for me) were very comfortable. Felt quite a privilege to get the opportunity to enter into one of these elegant, historic canal houses and stay.
From the moment we walked in to the hotel until the time we left we had an excellent experience.
I received a call the day before to confirm my arrival time. Our room was nearly ready when we arrived and we were upgraded to a better room. The location was peaceful and a nice walking distance to the main city, with beautiful views along the way. We were given lots of info in regards to where was good to go etc. Breakfast smelt absolutely delicious from the moment I woke and didn’t fail to impress us. The coffee tasted amazing and the overnight oats were absolutely delightful.
If I were to return to Amsterdam I would definitely book Canal House. Thank you
The location is fabulous, perfect for exploring the city with a wide range of bars and eateries close by. The staff were exceptionally friendly and helpful with booking reservations and recommendations, both pre-arrival and during our stay. The room was well appointed, a little cosy with an extra bed for our daughter, but good air conditioning. The garden is a wonderful space where we enjoyed evening drinks after a busy day seeing all the sights!
The rooms are fairly 'compact' and we were told we received an upgrade, it was a nice room. The service was perfect. Nothing was too much trouble (restaurant and boat bookings), and the breakfast was lovely. The coffee here is some of the best we've had too. Location-wise, it couldn't be better - a beautiful part of town, and an ideal comfy base to explore from.
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