Wednesday newsletters always feature a hotel or flight review.
Today: Review of Hotel TwentySeven in Amsterdam (The Netherlands)
- Location: Google maps
- Hotel website: Hotel TwentySeven Amsterdam
- Tip: get complimentary VIP perks when booking via Virtuoso
Hotel TwentySeven is an extraordinary and sensational all-suite boutique hotel located in the beating heart of Amsterdam’s city centre, Dam Square. Defying logic and re-defining luxury in Amsterdam, no detail has gone unnoticed in the hotel’s 16 sumptuous suites, including a signature scent that infuses the air and the sense of peace that comes from meticulous soundproofing. Service at the hotel is top-notch: as soon as you want something – a glass of champagne, a dinner reservation – your butler is there to take care of it. At Restaurant Bougainville, the culinary masterpiece of Hotel TwentySeven, innovative tastes wait to be discovered, both at breakfast and dinner.
Hotel TwentySeven features in my top 10 lists of the best hotels in Amsterdam and the world’s best hotel restaurants.
In this review (more info and photos below my Youtube clip & slideshow):
- Pros & things I like
- Cons & things to know
- My verdict
- Tips for future guests & save money
- Best time to visit
- How to get there
- Photos
PROS & THINGS I LIKE
- Hotel TwentySeven enjoys an unbeatable location on Dam Square, the historical center of Amsterdam and namesake of the city. The square is home to the Royal Palace (frequently used by the royal family for state dinners and the like), the famous flagship department store Bijenkorf, the New Church (used for exhibitions and royal family occasions), and Madame Tussauds. All of Amsterdam’s tourist attractions are within walking distance. Although crowds of people ebb and flow down on Dam Square day and night, the hotel itself offers an urban oasis of tranquility and serenity within the busy city.
- The historic building that Hotel TwentySeven calls its home is a turn of the century building from the time of the industrial revolution. Known as the home of the ‘Koninklijke Industrieele Groote Club’ (translates in English to ‘Royal Grand Industrial Club’) this historic building dates back to 1913. Built specifically for the famous Koninklijke Industrieele Groote Club society, the founders wanted to create a center for the newly booming Dutch industry and trade, where tycoons, entrepreneurs and the like-minded could come together. The society is still located on the first two floors of the building, while the hotel is housed on floors 3 to 7, offering nice views of Dam Square and the cityscape.
- While keeping intact its historic exterior and framework, the hotel features a bold interior design, created by award-winning Dutch designers Wim van de Oudeweetering and Cris van Amsterdam. From hand-blown contemporary chandeliers to custom-made furnishings from Holland’s top designer Eric Kuster, every corner of the property is sumptuously decorated without being glitzy. Anywhere your eyes land you are treated to colors, silk, art, architecture, woods, history and pride. To give you a few examples: lavish wall dressings are woven with copper threads and woodwork with golden and bronze patinas; sofas are dressed with exclusive fabrics from Rubelli of Venice, using patterns from their 18th century archives to compliment the era of the building; and specialty carpets by Belgium design Lano ordain the monumental staircases and corridors, which are illuminated by original stain-glass windows.
- The property features a convenient yet intimate layout, that is more reminiscent of a private residence than a hotel. Upon arrival, guests are greeted by the hotel’s charming staff at the backlit onyx reception area. From here, a set of evelators takes guests to the atrium and reception area on the 3rd floor, where a grandiose hand-blown glass light sculpture chandelier plummets from the skylights above the 7th floor to the reception area, 4 floors below. Here, you also find the world-class restaurant Bougainville (more on that below) and an opulently decorated lounge with a glowing onyx bar crafted from a special cut by Solid Nature (with a separate VIP section and a cigar lounge).
- The hotel features only 16 suites, including 7 signature suites. Each suite has a different layout and is individually decorated in an opulent style similar to the public areas, though with variations in mood and colour. During my visit, I stayed in a one bedroom suite on the 5th floor, which came with a great view of Dam Square. The large living area featured a handmade sofa (made in Spain by Ascension Lattore), artwork curated by a local gallery, and a gigantic curved TV screen. Some strawberries and luxury chocolates were waiting for me as a welcome amenity on one of the stylish cofee tables. Located in a separate room, the kingsize bed was handmade by Nilson Beds with headboards covered in the most beautiful fabrics by Pierre Frey. All the room features – from mood lighting to temperature – is controlled by a tablet.
- The lavishly designed bathrooms deserve a special mention. They are styled in a classic Roman decor, clad with beautiful sleek marble and mosaics. The special handmade taps and showers are from THG Paris and don’t leave spots when you touch them. All suites have steam baths with double showers and deep whirlpool baths for 2 (or even 3) persons. During my visit, I was also extremely impressed by the luxurious toiletries which are supplied in the bathrooms: they are Lalique branded – the same ones you find on Singapore Airlines’ fabulous A380 First Class suites – and by far the best I ever received at a hotel. Switzerland-based Lalique specialises in decorative crystal ware, interior decor, perfumes, jewellery, art and hospitality.
- A signature scent is present throughout the hotel and has been created and branded exclusively for the property by fragrance specialists of Delush. TwentySeven is the first hotel in The Netherlands to do this.
- Although the hotel is located in the heart of the city on the busiest square, the entire hotel is shielded and soundproofed from the city’s hectic buzz. No cost was spared to create perfect sound insulation for guests, via the walls, floors, ceilings, windows and doors. To give you some examples, the door of each suite is fully soundproof and handmade, never done before in Europe; the air-conditioning units are completely silent (also with special air purifying filtration system for completely clean breathing), and the suites do not feature double glass but soundproof quadruple glass windows (2 sets of double windows).
- On its third floor, besides the small reception area, the hotel houses a top of the bill restaurant, Bougainville, which ranks among my favorite hotel restaurants in the world. Led by rising star Executive Chef Tim Golsteijn, the restaurant offers one of the Dutch capital’s finest gastronomic experiences. The menu features traditional European cuisine, influenced by subtle Latin American and Far Eastern touches. All wines are hand-picked by wine director Lendl Mijnhijmer, who won the Trophee Henriot 2018, which makes him the best sommelier of The Netherlands. Each morning, a refined à la carte breakfast is also offered at Bougainville.
- The hotel staff delivers impeccable service. Personal butlers and guest services agents are always on hand to attend to every need, often before you even know it. The team is hand selected from The Netherlands’ finest in hospitality, and trained and led by the hotel owner Eric Torren, who was elected European hotelier of the year (2014), European general manager of the year (2015) and nominated in 2017 for Amsterdam’s Entrepreneur of the year for his outstanding performance in the hospitality industry.
- For parents, TwentySeven will arrange not just a nanny service but a service from a team of passionate child care professionals that will enhance your children’s joy, take them to the Zoo, to a painting class, a children’s museum, a film or whatever their little big hearts desire.
CONS & THINGS TO KNOW
Despite being open less than a year, Hotel Twenty Seven is Amsterdam’s leading luxury hotel and represents what great hotels everywhere aspire to be: the best of everything without being overbearing. This fabulous hotel with its outrageously luxurious suites and world-class restaurant is a reason in itself to visit Amsterdam. There are a few things you need to know though when considering a stay here:
- Surprisingly, TwentySeven lacks a gym and wellness center. Luckily, the hotels offers plenty of alternatives, amongst others personal trainers and spa therapists that come to the hotel, a world champion Dutch boxer that can arrange a personal training in the suite, or gyms in the area for a self-stirred work out. Most of the suites can also be set-up with a preferred fitness attribute / piece of equipment, which can (preferably) be arranged before arrival.
- The hotel lacks a public outdoor space although that is less of a problem since you are in a city anyway. However, one of the signature suites – the grand terrace suite – comes with a spectacular private outdoor terrace that offers terrific city views and also enjoys a location towards the south; so if you like to chill in a refreshing Amsterdam breeze after a day of business or sightseeing, make sure to book this suite. That said, I couldn’t help but wondering how nice it would be to convert this suite into a small high-end spa area, so all guests could enjoy that magnificent terrace on a beautiful Amsterdam day after being pampered in a luxurious treatment room (maybe an idea/sugestion for the hotel owners?).
- As some of you may know, I am a big fan of eggs Benedict at breakfast. Unfortunately, when I ordered them on the first day of my stay, I was told that it was not possible to prepare eggs Benedicte because the kitchen did not have Hollandaise sauce (despite the fact that a supermarket is just a few minutes away). Eggs Benedict could also not be ordered on the second day of my stay. It felt a bit weird to hear a ‘no’ to a simple request at a hotel of this caliber that otherwise seems to go the extra mile to fulfill all your wishes. But maybe I am just nitpicking now, and I am sure that the hotel will add eggs Benedict after reading this review ;).
MY VERDICT
- Location: 9/10
- Design: 9/10
- Rooms: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Breakfast: 9/10
- Service: 10/10
- Value for money: 9/10
- Overall experience: exceptional: 9,5/10
TIPS FOR FUTURE GUESTS & SAVE MONEY
- Save money: get complimentary VIP perks when booking via Virtuoso (e.g. upgrade, daily breakfast, early check-in, late check-out, and $100 USD food & beverage credit).
- Save money: read my tips for getting the best deal at luxury property like Hotel TwentySeven (and/or receive many free perks).
- Room tip: Hotel TwentySeven features only 16 rooms, and you cannot go wrong with any of them. Request or book room at on the front side if you want the best view of Dam square.
- Read my tips for preparing your trip in time.
BEST TIME TO VISIT
Amsterdam is best visited between April and May (spring) or September through November (autumn), right before or directly after the summertime high tourist season. You’ll contend with fewer tourists, enjoy somewhat mild temperatures (the city’s weather is notoriously finicky), and also experience Amsterdam as the locals do, at its laid-back best.
HOW TO GET THERE
Amsterdam can easily be reached by plane, train or car. For those coming by plane, the hotel is located a 30-minute cab ride from Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS). Check the Wikipedia page of Amsterdam Airport Schiphol for a continuously updated list of airlines that offer direct flights to Amsterdam.
PHOTOS
*** Follow me on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook for a daily moment of travel inspiration ***