I’m a faithful Marriott Bonvoy member. But on a recent trip to Amsterdam, I cheated on my brand, seduced by the cheeky chic vibe at the Andaz Amsterdam Prinsengracht by Hyatt. Housed in a former public library, this 122-room boutique property is located in a prime canal neighborhood, has an on-site spa and boasts multiple food and beverage options. But was the stay worth the stray?
Portions of this trip that were hosted are listed at the end. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.
Location, Location, Location
The primary appeal of the Andaz Amsterdam Prinsengracht is its fab location on the Prinsengracht canal. I even splurged on a canal-view room to have an authentic Dutch treat. The Andaz is surrounded by posh properties including The Dylan, Pulitzer Amsterdam and the soon-to-open Rosewood Amsterdam. But room rates at the Andaz are on the lower end of the luxury scale, approximately $450-$550 per night with discounts available to World of Hyatt loyalty program members.
Amsterdam’s major attractions are a short walk or tram ride from the Andaz, including:
- Anne Frank House
- Museumplein (Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum, Stedelijk Museum)
- Canal Boat Tours
SheBuysTravel Tip: There is no hotel-provided shuttle to Schiphol Airport, approximately 10 miles from the Amsterdam city center. However, the hotel concierge can arrange a private transfer. You can also take an inexpensive train from Central Station. I used Uber. The one-way fare was approximately 50 euros.
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Design and Atmosphere: Playful Dutch with a Modern Twist
Be prepared to snap yourself silly at the Andaz. The design-forward decor features bright colors, Dutch cultural call-outs (Herring! Tulips!) and funky furniture. It is a little overwhelming at first, but, by my third day, it started to feel as cozy as a cup of cocoa.
Your initial introduction to the Andaz is the shouting king statue outside the front entrance. He reappears in different forms throughout the hotel. I was too curious not to ask. According to the front desk clerk, he’s a prince, a nod to the hotel’s site on the Prinsengracht which means Prince’s Canal. And he’s reminding patrons to keep their voices down out of respect for the building’s former life as a library. There are eight statues in total; a ninth was scrapped from the roof because it’s too windy!
A Room with a View (and a Spoon)
There’s a wide selection of room choices at the Andaz as is often the case with historic building conversions. I recently stayed in a London hotel room that was no bigger than a walk-in closet and had one twin bed wedged against the wall. Rooms at the Andaz are spacious in comparison and you can choose between queen, king or two twin bed configurations with atrium, garden or canal views.
Room amenities:
- 55″ flat-screen TV
- Plush robes
- Hair dryer
- Local bath toiletries
- Complimentary minibar with nonalcoholic beverages, beer and local snacks
- Nespresso coffee maker
- In-room safe
- Complimentary wifi
The hotel’s swanky suites come with additional amenities including complimentary early check-in/late check-out, a welcome gift and in-room flowers.
My king bed was large and comfy, topped with a crisp white duvet, the style I’ve experienced in many European hotels. A large closet had tons of hanging space and deep drawers and easily accommodated my luggage which kept the floor area clear.
Bathroom functions are zoned. The sink atop a furniture-style vanity is in the sleeping area. Separately, there’s a smoked glass shower with a choice of rain head or handheld sprayer. And a toilet room. The blue and white Delft-inspired wallpaper is dotted with facts about Amsterdam which makes for entertaining reading while you’re taking care of business.
SheBuysTravel Tip: If you’re planning to share a room with your traveling companion, be sure you’re comfortable with the open-concept layout of the bath.
A Breakfast Wonderland
The Andaz offers several on-site dining options, including a window-walled breakfast venue, The Garden Room. The abundant morning buffet, featuring Dutch specialties like stroopwafels and an apple breakfast pudding, is supplemented by the choice of a made-to-order entree.
SheBuysTravel Tip: Breakast is not included in your room rate, but, I highly recommend adding it when booking if you want to be fueled for a long day of touring the city. However, there are also several inexpensive cafes close to the hotel.
The restaurant’s garden has an Alice in Wonderland theme and I imagine it must be glorious when the weather warms.
Lunch, dinner and cocktails are available in Prins & Aap, the playful bar/restaurant in the front of the hotel. I had a savory tomato and leek soup with hearty toast slices upon arrival from my red-eye flight but, sadly, did not try dinner or the complimentary nightly Jenever tasting. The clear gin-like spirit is served in tulip-shaped glasses, filled to the brim and your first sip is traditionally taken by dipping your head to the glass instead of picking it up.
On-site Amenities
Although the Andaz does not have a pool, there is a sauna and fitness center, located through the entrance to the hotel’s Essence Spa. The luxury spa offers massages and facials with treatment prices hovering in and around 100 euros.
Frequently Asked Questions: Andaz Amsterdam Prinsengracht by Hyatt
- Is the hotel pet-friendly? Yes, the Andaz is a pet-friendly hotel. An additional fee applies.
- What is the check-in/check-out time? Standard check-in time is 3 PM, and check-out is 12 PM (noon).
- Are there accessible rooms available? Yes, the hotel offers accessible rooms. Contact the hotel directly to confirm availability and specific features.
Recommended Things to Do Near the Andaz
The central location of the Andaz makes it a convenient home base for exploring Amsterdam, especially if you are only in town for a couple of days.
Anne Frank House
In advance of your trip, book timed tickets to visit the Anne Frank House, the excellent museum dedicated to preserving the memory of the remarkable teen who hid from the Nazis for two years with her family and neighbors. Touring the Secret Annex and seeing Anne’s original diary make the Nazi atrocities of World War II human and real. It’s a very moving experience that stays with you long after you leave the museum.
Amsterdam Art
You’ll find the city’s best art museums in the Museumplein, a short walk or tram ride from the Andaz. Because his work is so well-known, the Van Gogh Museum is wildly popular. Tickets are often hard to get. If you’re locked out, try the website after 5 pm when a small number of next-day tickets are released.
Modern art fans can check out the Stedelijk Museum, or the boutique-sized Moco Museum which features well-known contemporary artists like Banksy and Jeff Koons.
The Louvre is to Paris what the Rijksmuseum is to Amsterdam. It’s a must-visit but it can be overwhelming with over 8,000 works on display. I toured on two different occasions on previous trips, wandering a bit haphazardly from room to room. I had a much more enjoyable and educational visit on The Tour Guy two-hour Art Connoisseur Guided Tour, led by Clare, a British ex-pat and professional artist. Our intimate group of seven met outside the museum where we were given whisper audio devices so Clare could provide commentary from a distance while we examined the masterpieces.
All-day museum admission is included with the tour, so there’s no need to stand in line for tickets. We headed straight to the floor dedicated to the masterworks produced during the Dutch Golden Age from 1600-1650. As we explored the exhibit rooms, Clare provided historical and social context for the art which made for a very entertaining experience. She pointed out small details, some of them quite racy for the 17th century, which made the art come alive. Learning that Rembrandt mistreated his wife and mistress didn’t diminish the greatness of his work; rather, it lent another dimension to its appreciation.
Canal Boat Tour
Another only in Amsterdam experience is a scenic boat tour of the city’s canals. You can access these tours at several locations including at Central Station and Leidseplein Square. The tours range in duration from one to two hours and often include drinks and Dutch snacks like bitterballen, a compressed meat stew ball (tastes better than it sounds). Choose a covered boat if the weather’s not great for a more enjoyable outing.
The Tour Guy comped my 2-hour Rijksmuseum Tour. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.
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