The Most Romantic Hotels to Book in Amsterdam, the Netherlands

These three 17th-century merchant houses on the Keizersgracht (Emperor’s Canal) in the heart of the famous Jordaan neighbourhood have been transformed into a luxurious boutique hotel. There are 23 opulent rooms – all featuring hardwood floors, silk wallpapers, velvet upholstery and ornate mosaics – with a range of room sizes available. Go all out and book the largest and best of them, which has a king-size bed, a lounge area with sweeping canal views and a bathtub large enough for two. After a day spent exploring, enjoy a Canal House G&T at the bar or in the private garden.

A hotel that certainly speaks the language of love, the Dylan Amsterdam offers a variety of special packages designed for couples. The Honeymoon Package includes a late checkout, champagne on arrival, a romantic bath service and a champagne breakfast. Or, if your other half is a bit of a foodie, they’ll love the Fine Dining Package, which includes an overnight stay in a luxury double room, breakfast in Bar Brasserie OCCO and a seven-course dinner with wine pairing at the Michelin-star Restaurant Vinkeles. The menu, by chef de cuisine Jurgen van der Zalm and executive chef Dennis Kuipers, includes dishes such as Dutch venison with black salsify, walnut, pistachio and Dutch white krombek beans with black truffle, egg yolk, parmesan cheese and duck fat.

Amsterdam isn’t just a city of canals. There’s also a network of 1,200 picturesque bridges criss-crossing the city’s waterways, many of which feature bridge houses that formerly housed the bridge keepers. Today, 28 of these historic houses have been transformed by a team of architects and designers into tiny hotel suites for two guests as part of the award-winning SWEETS hotel concept. Take the bridge house on Kattenslootbrug, designed in 1952 by architect Pieter Lodewijk Kramer and converted in 2017 by Space&Matter. The cosy space – just big enough for a bed, bathroom and sitting area with a kitchenette and coffee machine – makes for a romantic escape with an urban twist.

Amsterdam’s canals are one of the city’s most defining features, and this boutique hotel in a 17th-century sugar trader’s canal house at 717 Prinsengracht (Prince’s Canal) allows guests to immerse themselves in the romantic setting. Each of the suites and rooms is named after a famous creative, and the two executive suites, Schubert and Picasso, offer views over the canal. For the ultimate romantic night in, order dinner to the room. Restaurant Black offers a three-course menu, with decadent seafood or steak dishes, and there’s also a sushi option. The hotel also specialises in small weddings, with two event spaces: the cosy library can host up to 10 guests, while the Strawinsky Room, with its elegant French windows, can host up to 30.

This luxury hotel is spread across 25 connecting Golden Age canal houses, creating a hidden neighbourhood that features elegant rooms and suites, gardens, a café, a hotel bar and a restaurant. Each room and suite has a unique design, and includes indulgent Le Labo toiletries. For something truly special, book one of the five themed Extraordinary Suites. The Book Collector’s Suite, for example, features a private library and arches crafted from books, while the Music Collector’s Suite boasts an enviable collection of vinyl, a vintage record player and a wall of trumpets. For a romantic nightcap, head to the glamorous Pulitzer Bar, where you’ll discover a cocktail menu inspired by the characters in Agatha Christie’s novel Murder on the Orient Express (1934).

Step back in time at this grand hotel, which started out as a convent in 1411. Over the centuries, it’s been a lodging house and the city hall, and was restored as a hotel in 1992. Today, there are 179 rooms, including 52 luxury suites with butler service, all of which combine contemporary French design with traditional Dutch details. Celebrating a special occasion? Book the prestigious Royal Suite, which is on the third floor of a former canal house and overlooks the hotel courtyard. Indulge in a romantic couple’s treatment at the Sofitel SPA, whose Celebration for Two package allows couples to choose any massage or treatment. The spa also offers a full range of bridal services.

Want to explore Amsterdam like a local? Pavilion Hotels has recently launched a new travel service, Curated Journeys, which creates bespoke itineraries designed to evoke an emotive experience. If you’re looking for romance, book a Just the Two of Us package, which includes a stay at the Toren, a charming hotel in the Jordaan neighbourhood, romantic canal-side walks, a private boat tour and gallery visits. You’ll also be enjoying some of the city’s best restaurants, including Indonesian dishes at Restaurant Max, creative Dutch cuisine at de Silveren Spiegel and lunch in the city’s most famous park, Vondelpark. At the end of your trip, a limo will be waiting to whisk you back to the airport in style.

Rika Studios is an elegant Dutch fashion brand led by Swedish creative Ulrika Lundgren, who specialises in timeless, tailored classics and minimalist knitwear, alongside a curated collection of art, jewellery and lifestyle products. This creative vision has been extended to a tiny guesthouse in a 17th-century townhouse in the hip De 9 Straatjes (the 9 Streets) district, which has a pretty loft bedroom on the third floor overlooking the Herengracht canal. It features high ceilings with original timber beams and is decorated with finds from Lundren’s travels, custom furniture by Paul Lelieveld and artwork by San Ming.