Considered “The Venice of The North”, The Dutch capital of Amsterdam is one of the most multicultural cities in the world, widely known for producing the most efficient navigable waterways in history. Derived from a linguistic variation of the word ‘dam’, travelers flock year and year to be surrounded by this historical and beautiful canal landscape. Just in time for summer, JetBlue has even announced new direct flights from the US to Amsterdam starting in June.
Sitting atop the canals, travelers will notice the Grand Dame of the city’s hospitality scene Hotel De L’Europe, a 5 star hotel founded on the remains of a late medieval fortress in 1896. Acting as guardians of local craftsmanship and culture, this property is now owned by the Dutch-legacy Heineken Family, and is the ultimate destination for those seeking the authentic heritage of the city in an elegant way. Immersed in rich history and priceless art, the hotel offers 97 classic yet contemporary suites and rooms, many with private terraces overlooking the beautiful water where you can fully feel the vibrance of the city.
Once settled in, guests can head down to Freddy’s Bar for happy hour, named after Alfred ‘Freddy’ Heineken himself, to experience some good-ole “Gezellig” paired with perfectly executed canal-inspired cocktails an in-house jazz pianist. Guests can also roam the ground floor of ‘t Huys, a living creative space where local Amerstam icons of art, style, and luxury, come together to show their work under one roof. For a dining experience like no other, guests should look no further than FLORE, meaning ‘flowers in bloom,’ the hotel’s 2 Michelin-star restaurant and the city’s only Green Michelin-star restaurant (both which were just retained again this year!), entirely devoted to the philosophy of "conscious fine dining.” Ingredients are sourced from small, local organic farms and sustainable fishmongers. For an outside experience, Marie is another great option located in their charming terrace that serves al fresco dining, picturesque scenery, and a delectable French menu.
Hotel De L’Europe urges guests to explore what the city has to offer, and by being centrally located, travelers can easily explore local attractions such as the Anne Frank House, Van Gogh Museum, Keukenhof, Rijksmuseum, The Heineken Experience, and so much more.
Full of spirited culture, quaint cafés along the river, and no shortage of biking and walking trails, Amsterdam is a dreamy summer getaway for any American traveler. For visitors, there is no better home base than Hotel De L’Europe, offering warm Dutch hospitality and incredible experiences for first-timers or those who are making a return. To top it all off, Amsterdam is additionally a great starting point to travel to other cities in the area. Just like the Dutch Canals, Europe has also made train traveling extremely efficient! Make your way West to London (~4 hours), South-West to Paris (~3 hours) or Brussels (~1.5 hours), or South-East to Hamburg or Frankfurt (~5 hours) to enjoy a full European adventure.
