Best for: Living like a local
The July - Boat & Co isn’t your typical Amsterdam hotel. Step through its glass-and-wood doors in Houthaven and you’re met not by a lobby but by a working barbershop – a fitting sign of what’s to come. This friendly aparthotel blends daily life and design-led comfort, sitting quietly on the water in Amsterdam’s northwest. The open-plan ground floor doubles as a bar, restaurant and co-working space, filled with locals and guests lounging, eating or working under warm light and tall windows.
Part of the new generation of aparthotels, Boat & Co nails the balance between freedom and service. The building nods to the area’s dockland heritage, with bold brickwork, eco materials and solar panels. Houthaven itself, a former timber harbour turned climate-neutral district, is all clean lines, bike paths and water views (and quietly up-and-coming). Instead of rooms, Boat & Co offers fully equipped studio apartments and larger family options. Each comes with a kitchen, living space, and dining table that doubles as a desk. Interiors mix teal, sand and wood with vintage-style furniture. Everything feels designed for longer stays, whether that means a night, a week or even longer.
Service is warm and unfussy – staff know the city inside out and strike just the right tone. Facilities include a well-equipped gym, yoga studio, spa with sauna and steam room. Houthaven may be off the main tourist trail, but that’s its charm. Cafés, water views and Westerpark’s cultural hub are all close by, and the centre’s only ten minutes away by bike. Stylish, spacious and sustainable, The July – Boat & Co delivers Amsterdam living at its most relaxed and real.
Time Out tip: A huge win at this hotel is free bike rental for the duration of your stay. You heard us: totally free!
Address: Revaleiland 500, 1014 ZG Amsterdam, Netherlands
Price: from €200 per night, with some seasonal deals
Closest transport: 10-minute bike ride to Amsterdam Centraal Station; nearby bus and tram stops






































