Rosalia's Menagerie

Rooms

The 6 personally styled rooms are clean and full of character - you can feel the owners' sense of fun. But they're also very comfortable, with kingsize beds, good sound insulation and free refreshments from the minibar and coffee machine. Ensuite bathrooms have excellent rain showers, fluffy bathrobes and natural toiletries.

At the front of the house, the 3 Canal View rooms are flooded with light and (as the name suggests) have wonderful views over the canal. The largest top-floor room comes with leather chairs and rustic wood furniture. On our last visit, we stayed in one covered with reproduction paintings from Rembrandt's Night Watch period. The third is an airy, contemporary room decorated with white walls and colourful, angular fittings. They have the best views, but we noticed quite a bit of street noise.

The 3 Garden View rooms are slightly smaller, quieter and look out over the rooftops from the back of the hotel - good for light sleepers. One is a cosy room with Asian touches, while another has a vibrant springtime feel, with whimsical bird-printed wallpaper and yellow-curtained windows. At the top of the house, the third room features a dramatic monochrome canopy bed, ornate mirrors and elevated views from its garret windows.

Features include:

• Air conditioning
• Bathrobes
• Central heating
• Coffee / tea making
• Hairdryer
• Iron
• Minibar
• Safe box
• Toiletries
• TV
• WiFi

Eating

The breakfast bar echoes the speakeasy style cocktail bar as you walk in – dark green walls and quirky tiled wallpaper. Breakfast starts with a serving of delicious homemade granola with yogurt, fresh fruit, and a drink of your choice. After that, you can order savoury extras, such as sourdough bread with Dutch cheese, tomatoes, jam, butter, or nut spread, and eggs cooked as you like them.

For evening drinks, the ground-floor cocktail bar is perfect (you'll get your first one free, as a thanks for booking through i-escape). Traditionalists can sup a classic Daiquiri or Lime Leaf Margarita, but we think it's worth trying a seasonal house speciality: our favourites included the Sicilian Sour, Chum Churum Martini and Pumpkin Milk Punch. A small selection of local beers and organic European wines are also available, as is a menu of small plates. The bar is open to the public from 6pm - 1am; there are only 30 seats, and they don't take bookings per se, but hotel guests can let the team know if they plan to stop by to ensure a space is saved for them.

Apart from some bar bites, there's no other food served here, but it is in a great location for restaurants and the hotel staff will be happy to point you in the right direction. We ended up at REM Eiland Restaraurant, uniquely set on an old oil rig - it used to be a radio station and has great views of the river, as well as old and new Amsterdam.

Features include:

• Bar
• Breakfast
• Restaurants nearby

Activities

• Just about everywhere is reachable by foot in Amsterdam - or by bicycle for those feeling a bit more adventurous (Pepijn and Rachel can advise on bike hire). Stroll along the canals stopping off regularly at some of the wonderful cafés and shops
  
• Museum lovers are spoilt for choice here - from the famous Van Gogh and Rijksmuseum museums just a 15 minute walk away to the modern galleries dotted around the city-centre
  
• In spring and summer, the hotel can arrange private open-air boats tours of the canals (for 2-10 people)
  
• Shop till you drop - check out the trendy little boutiques in the Jordaan district, or the designer shops in the Museum quarter (most are open on a Sunday)
  
• Visit the Hortus Botanicus (Botanical Garden), which has been a part of the city since 1638
  
• On our most recent visit, we ventured to one of Amsterdam’s urban beaches, just a short (and free) ferry hop over the River IJ from Amsterdam Central Station. A trip to Amsterdam Noord feels like a mini holiday in itself
  
• Visit the local coffee shops...

Activities on site or nearby include:

• Boat trips
• Cycling
• Historical sites
• Museums / galleries
• Nightlife
• Shopping / markets
• Traditional cultures
• Walking tours

Kids

This is an adult-oriented hotel.

Family friendly accommodation:

Extra Beds Available

For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection

Location

Rosalia's Menagerie (formerly called Hotel Misc) is situated next to the traditional Nieuwmarkt Square, at the edge of the 'Red Light District', in the centre of Amsterdam. Nieuwmarkt is the nearest subway stop.

By Air:
Fly into Schiphol (21km).

From the Airport
There's a direct train line (20 minutes) from Schiphol Airport to Amsterdam Central Station. From there it is a 10-minute walk to the hotel. Alternatively, you can take a taxi straight from the airport, which will set you back approximately EUR 35-45.

By Train:
Eurostar operates direct trains from London St Pancras to Amsterdam. Alternatively, take a ferry and train combination from Newcastle, Hull or London (via Harwich).

By Car:
Amsterdam is easily explored by bicycle, public transport and on foot so you won't really need a car. However, if you want to hire one to see the surrounding region, see our car rental recommendations.

Detailed directions will be sent to you when you book through i-escape.