Hip Apartments in Amsterdam, the Netherlands

On a quiet canal just a few minutes’ walk from handy transport hub Centraal station, these two-bedroom apartments – some sleeping up to six – show off the modern face of Amsterdam. Expect floor-to-ceiling windows, designer furniture and terraces bumping up against the sparkling waters. Families will love the easy access to Westerpark, home to kid-friendly lidos, while couples can explore the chic boutiques of nearby Jordaan.

The name is fitting – the Rijksmuseum is just down the street – but you’re hidden from the crowds, on a ring canal of cosy cafes, in a brick-fronted build that was once the Dutch Women’s Club. In the early 20th century, this place was filled with creatives and concerts, and, today, the spirit lives on with apartments named after famous Dutch artists. The design follows suit: Vincent Van Gogh comes with floral-splashed curtains, while Mondrian sports blocks of primary colour. As they say, home is where the art is.

There’s a local feel to this converted historic warehouse in Zoutkeetsgracht, a pocket near Westerpark once famed for processing salt. Whitewashed-beam ceilings jumble with colour-pop furniture: turquoise leather sofas, 60s-style chairs and throw-back canal-house photos. Pop into coffee shops, see the monthly Sunday Market, and visit the oldest movie theatre in the city, the Movies. Families should opt for a two-bedroom suite overlooking the waterway, sleeping up to six.

Social butterflies get a buzz off the creative open space here – coworking desk spaces join a media studio and trendy bar space (serving strawberry bellinis and Buddha bowls with halloumi, no less). A 24-hour front desk, a gym and a games area add to the roster of fun and useful facilities. Grab one of the bikes for hire, and cycle your way in from trendy Oostpoort to the city’s headliner sights – cultural and physical stimulation in one easy hit.

In the upscale, tourist-free south of Amsterdam, TWENTY EIGHT is styled like the cool flat of a trendy friend: expect sage-green bedrooms with retro-chic mirrors, metro-tiled bathrooms and metallic accents. The smallest apartments sleep just two, making them perfect for holidaying couples who want to dive into the gorgeous honesty bar, sweat it out in the sauna or breakfast on locally sourced organic juices. You’re handily close to the airport, too, which means you can stretch out every last moment of your holiday.

Moments from Centraal station, this Nordic-meets-Mediterranean pad is a tranquil escape from the city buzz. Duck-egg-blue shutters and pastel sofas add to the soothing vibe, and exposed-brick walls and polished-wood floors generate a lived-in, heritage feel. Three-bedroom apartments can accommodate larger families, although the most spectacular stay has to be the one-bedroom penthouse: window-lined walls and a terrace overlooking the IJ mean you can wake up to boats sliding across the water.

Chic lodges surrounded by greenery? Not what you’d expect from a city break, but these seven luxe villas, built among foliage west of Amsterdam’s urban heart, make a great base from which to navigate the sights. They provide real escapism, too, and not just because of their glamping vibe. Each unit has a different theme, from Marrakech – with bohemian print rugs – to Vintage, with retro-furnishings and a record player. A short walk away, eco-store Fruittuin van West gets you fully into the rural vibe with pick-your-own apples.