There are two options for visiting Amsterdam. Option number one? Stay somewhere cool. Somewhere quiet. Somewhere ‘up-and-coming’ or out of the way of all the action. But option two? You face it head on, embrace Amsterdam with open arms, and stay slap bang in the middle of its raucous centre, right up against the Red Light District, in the midst of all its magical drama. And thankfully, Sofitel The Grand means that option two doesn’t mean a seedy stay or a bunk bed in a hostel – far from it. Enter through Sofitel’s pearly gates and leave the chaos of the streets immediately behind you. Instead, prepare to be met with total grandeur: this hotel, firmly rooted in Amsterdam’s eclectic past, is flat-out, unapologetic, total luxury.
Why stay at Sofitel Legend The Grand Amsterdam?
Sofitel Legend The Grand Amsterdam is one of only a handful of Sofitel Legends in the world – the others are found in Hanoi, Panama, Xi’an, Aswan in Egypt and Cartagena in Colombia. It was the first in Europe and the second in the world. There are many reasons to stay at a Sofitel Legend hotel, but the main draw is probably the prestige of the brand, and knowing you’ll be doted on hand and foot. But Amsterdam’s outpost is rather special: you stay here to feel like you’re living amongst Amsterdam’s storied history – the hotel building dates back to 1411, and it’s lived many lives since then: a monastery, a convent, a City Hall, a five-star luxury hotel The Grand – and eventually Sofitel The Grand in 2010. Don’t miss the opportunity to learn all about it: every Saturday morning the hotel offers a guided historical tour, where you’ll learn about the kings and queens that have stayed here, and the royal wedding between Princess Beatrix and Claus von Amsberg which took place in 1966.
What are the rooms like at Sofitel Legend The Grand Amsterdam?
Its 178 rooms range from classic rooms to the Royal Suite, with a price range of around €320 to €3,000 per night. Yes, it’s a big range – but remember, this is no ordinary hotel. Rooms are certainly fancy, but they’re certainly dated too. That’s absolutely part of their charm – but it certainly won’t be to everyone’s taste. A picture of Dutch kings and queens sat above my bed, and a single wall was covered in seriously bold vintage floral wallpaper. Beds are exceptionally comfortable – the soft kind you sink right into, with a thick feather down duvet that almost feels weighted, but still remains cool and cosy. Windows are hung with heavy black-out curtains that successfully (and dangerously) keep out every inch of the morning light.
Bathrooms are beautiful, decked out with Dyptique toiletries and a rainfall shower, and there’s a bougie mini bar with a lovely selection, even if the contents do come at eye-watering prices (a mini tub of Pringles costs €8). This hotel is in no way pretending to be modern, but I felt parts of my room could do with a lick of paint – a little hole in the floor there, a peeling bit of plastic on the artwork, a scuff or two on the skirting boards. Rooms are mostly soundproof, but Saturday night Red Light District mayhem will still manage to cut through if you’ve got a canal-facing room. This does not, however, retract from the excitement of waking up to the streets and canals of Amsterdam every morning.
What is the service like at Sofitel Legend The Grand Amsterdam?
Staff can’t do enough for you here, and do manage to have a laugh even with the seriousness of this kind of operation. When you arrive at the hotel, you’re offered a glass of champagne or fresh juice. As you wait to be seated at breakfast, there’s a staff member offering (yep, you guessed it), another glass of champagne. It’s pure luxury at every turn – staff make sure you feel you are on holiday, and this is your time to enjoy it. Guests here expect a lot, and staff don’t bat an eyelid – happy to bend over backwards for any guest. When we checked out, I embarrassingly had a wet swimming costume to deal with from a morning in the hotel pool. As part of its sustainability promise, The Grand doesn’t use any single-use plastic, so a staff member kindly found me a gift bag I could wrap it up in.
What is the food like at Sofitel Legend The Grand Amsterdam?
Food at The Grand is exactly what you’d expect: meticulous, refined, and downright posh. At the head of it all is Restaurant Bridges, where there’s a choice of a tasting menu of five, six or seven courses (€110-130), with optional wine pairings. For Amsterdam, this is really not a bad price (probably why it claims to be ‘accessible’, which might be a stretch), especially for what you’re getting – the likes of sea crab and duck liver, caviar on hash brown with crème fraîche and chives, veal sweetbread and mussels and deer with chanterelle.
For a more affordable option there’s Mediterranean restaurant Oriole, which holds a Michelin Bib Gourmand, with three courses for €50 and four for €60, including such delights as scallops with sherry Hollandaise, pork chop with beans and a catch of the day with black rice. It’s a simpler affair, and a refreshingly affordable option from a hotel of this prestige. In summer, make sure to eat out on the secret garden-style terrace, which is something very special, all green and floral and surrounded by tall walls.
There’s also breakfast, which is exquisite, laden with cold cuts, cheeses, salmon and piles of fresh bread, as well as a cooked breakfast station with sausages, mushrooms, beans and the likes. Choose from three different rotating fresh juices; it was grapefruit, orange and a fabulous green juice when I visited. At the yoghurt bowl section, you’ll find silky-smooth mango chia puddings with multiple different kinds of peanut butter, including date and cinnamon, which I could have simply eaten by the spoon. From the à la carte menu (also included), you can order Benedicts, omelettes and the likes, all delightfully rich, soft and buttery – the Benedict was served on a sweet croissant roll. Don’t skip the homemade bread and butter pudding – it’s the chef’s speciality, and it’s fabulous.
So that’s the food, but I’d be remiss not to note my favourite feature at The Grand: the Flying Dutchman bar on the ground floor. It’s tucked away just before the lifts to the rooms, serving classic pints and bar snacks, with barrel stools to sit on and a door out to the aforementioned outdoor terrace area, but with its own, quiet little section. I loved that Sofitel offered this in lieu of a classic hotel bar (you know the kind – soft elevator music, expensive cocktails and not enough light to identify your own drink), and instead opted for a proper, old-school Dutch drinking tavern. The best part? It’s open until 1am – ideal for an impromptu nightcap.
What are the pool and facilities like at Sofitel Legend The Grand Amsterdam?
Far from being an afterthought, the swimming pool at The Grand is a good size for actual swimming, and perfect for a few morning lengths. The pool is heated (but not too hot), and there’s also a very nice adjacent sauna and steam room. But the spa itself is more functional than a place to switch off – the space is well-lit, and has nowhere to lie down with a book other than a singular small futon. If you can bag it, you’re in luck – I went at around 10am on a Friday and was the only person there, so you may well get lucky. Otherwise, you’re best off doing the rounds a few times, heading back to your room in your cosy robe and sticking the telly on. You can also get fabulous-sounding spa treatments down here: massages, facials, pedicures and more, and some spa packages, like the Spa & Lunch or the Celebration for Two (with champers, obviously).
What’s the area like around Sofitel Legend The Grand Amsterdam?
I know I’ve said it, but you really are right in the thick of it at The Grand. You’ve got the Red Light District a few minutes away, where there is a load of great things to do that don’t involve gawking in windows, like Oude Kirk, which translates to the Old Church – the oldest building in Amsterdam. You’re also in a prime spot for a canal tour, of which there are plenty (go classy or go boozy, you decide). And you should definitely wander into Jordaan, one of our favourite neighbourhoods in Amsterdam, home to ‘Theatre of Fish’ Pesca, traditional Dutch restaurant Moeders, and over 40 galleries – many of which are clustered on Hazenstraat.
DETAILS
Address: Oudezijds Voorburgwal 197, 1012 EX Amsterdam
Price: From approximately €320 per night
Closest transport: Rokin metro station, a 5-minute walk