Just

Just
south from the hustle and bustle of Amsterdam‘s maze of canals and
cobbled streets lies the Museum Quarter, home to some of Europe’s
finest art collections and the Conservatorium Hotel. A part of
the city’s heritage in its own right, the 19th-century building was
once a bank and still retains many of its original features. Floors
and walls are adorned with mosaic tiles and a grand stone staircase
connects the eight floors. Having undergone a huge refurbishment in
2011, the heart of the hotel now lies within an immense internal
glass courtyard. With the lobby and reception area, guest lounge
and restaurant all interlinked, the open plan creates a buzzy
atmosphere where hosts, guests and locals mingle.

Rooms

With 129 rooms in total, there are many shapes and sizes to
choose from. Just beware the rooms overlooking the courtyard if you
enjoy fresh air. The décor is impeccably modern; minimalist
furnishings, demure tones and technology integrated into almost
every aspect. If you’re a fan of the simple switch, expect a steep
learning curve… Beds are luxurious and bathrooms are a treat.
Both bathtub and shower are big enough to bathe an entire family in
one go. Huge bespoke televisions have been commissioned for each of
the rooms, allowing you to pivot the screen in whichever direction
you choose to recline.

What’s for breakfast?

You won’t want to miss the extensive breakfast offering. Can’t get
out of bed? No bother, everything you could wish for is available
via room service.

Restaurant

The Conservatorium Brasserie is stylish but casual affair, open
all day for light meals and plat du jours. Drop into the lounge for
afternoon tea if you’re partial to a pastry, while sophisticats
should hotfoot it to the hotel’s Asian restaurant, Taiko, which is run
by Dutch chef Schilo van Coevorde (heralded for putting Dutch
cuisine on the map).

Is there a bar?

The building once housed a musical institute and – in keeping
with the past – students from the relocated Sweelinck
Conservatorium are invited to come back to play for guests. With
live music every evening, it’s the perfect place to sink into an
armchair and enjoy a drink after a exploring. Alternatively, head
to Tunes bar to sip cocktails and eat Asian tapas off a bespoke
glass bar top while the DJ spins house tunes. There is also a
smoking lounge.

Things you should know

Don’t forget your bikini – the award-winning
akasha holistic wellbeing centre offers a pool, sauna, hammam and fitness
club. The hotel also has its own arcade, the Van Baerle shopping
gallery, with boutiques stocking everything from beachwear to
cigars.

Within a short walk you can find…

Set directly in front of Museumplein, art lovers will be tempted
to catapult themselves straight out of bed into the queues for the
Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh and Stedelijk Museums. Vondelpark is a short
stroll away and offers a haven away from the crowds. In the other
direction you’ll find Amsterdam’s Royal Concertgebouw. If you wish
to venture further, take advantage of this cyclist-friendly city
and borrow one of the hotel’s bikes – there is no better way to
explore than on two wheels.