 Welcome to Rosewood Amsterdam Along the storied Prinsengracht canal stands a new symbol of comfort and transformation: Rosewood’s debut in the Dutch capital. As the final heritage building granted permission for hotel conversion in the city, Rosewood Amsterdam gives this historic landmark back to the people, reimagined through the lens of purpose-led luxury. Behind centuries-old woodwork, each space tells its own story; where judges once delivered verdicts, guests now discover museum-worthy art and ingenious Dutch design that bridges past and present.  This edition was photographed by Nicolas Quiniou  At a Glance
  Room is monumental History shapes each corner of contemporary Dutch design in the 134 thoughtfully crafted rooms by Studio Piet Boon. Rich grays and deep blues create a stately atmosphere, while floor-to-ceiling windows frame either Amsterdam's storied canals or De Tuin (meaning "the garden" in Dutch), enchanting grounds designed by Piet Oudolf, the visionary behind New York's High Line. Five signature Houses, named after Dutch area codes like Huis 020, crown the collection. These expansive suites feature living spaces, dining areas, and kitchens that blur the boundaries between inside and out, offering a genuine experience of canal-side living. The building's judicial heritage emerges through meticulously restored architectural details. In rooms designated as Monumental, an innovative "box within a box" design conceals modern amenities like bathrooms within beautifully crafted spaces, preserving the original woodwork and walls while delivering contemporary luxury. On the way to your room, these original features tell their own stories, like the door frames' dark wood paneling, once painted to mimic expensive imported timber during the building's judicial era, now preserved as a testament to Dutch ingenuity and craftsmanship.     Dining is rebellious From courtroom to cuisine, rebellion finds new expression in the hotel's culinary spots. Eeuwen (meaning "centuries" in Dutch), the hotel’s signature restaurant, offers an immersive dining experience that embraces nature’s rhythms and the art of savouring, where Chef David Ordóñez crafts masterpieces from refined dinner plates featuring Oesterij oysters from the Dutch village of Yerseke, seafood from Zeeland and the North Sea. Every dish tells a story of its origin and season. For a casual affair, The Court welcomes you all day with Dutch classics. This lobby lounge offers an exquisite selection of local and international comfort food, indulgent patisseries, and a refined afternoon tea experience. As evening approaches, discover Advocatuur, a bar that reimagines mixology through the lens of history and bold innovation. Named for the Dutch legal practice, this sophisticated bar tells Amsterdam's story through its signature 'Provo' Jenever. Watch this house-distilled precursor to modern gin flow from a visible still, named to honor the 1950s and 1960s movement that gave Amsterdam its bicycle culture through peaceful protests. Pair your Jenever with the exclusive "Justice" beer for a taste of Dutch spirit. The menu features traditional Indian bites, keeping a promise to the former mayor Eberhard van der Laan, who made this culinary heritage a condition of the landmark's sale. A hidden experience awaits. Deep within former prison cells, a select few are invited to join intimate Jenever tasting sessions. Here, patrons can engrave their names on the doors alongside historical inmates and receive a temporary 'conviction' tattoo as a playful souvenir.   Art is dialogue Over 1,000 artworks transform this former Palace of Justice into a living gallery, a true Gesamtkunstwerk, or "total work of art." The entrance (inspired by the Rijksmuseum, the city's most famous museum) begins a carefully choreographed journey, passing Studio Molen's commanding Statica installation and Frank Stella's vibrant Polish Village reliefs, culminating in a mesmerizing, ever-changing digital art canvas, created with Amsterdam's NXT Museum. The hotel features several contemporary masterpieces. Works by Sterling Ruby stand alongside tulip-inspired color-shifting pieces by Hong-yi Zhuang. Viviane Sassen's powerful reinterpretations of Dutch masters help bridge past and present. Throughout the historic interiors and garden, urban artist Frankey's distinctive sculptures add playful touches. The Gallery hosts rotating exhibitions pairing emerging Dutch talents with established names, while the former courtroom, now The Grand Library, hosts cultural gatherings. Next door, Ex Libris houses a collection enriched by its neighbors' book contributions, embracing Amsterdam's beloved tradition of street-side book exchanges known as boekenruilkastjes.   Wellness is seasonal harmony Ready to wrap yourself in a plush robe and dawn distinctive, chocolate brown slippers? Twelve meters beneath the hotel lies the Asaya Spa, transforming the building's foundational depth into a modern wellness retreat. Your journey begins above ground, with morning yoga sessions overlooking Piet Oudolf's masterfully designed gardens, where native flora weaves a living tapestry through Amsterdam's seasons, from spring tulips through winter grasses. Below, treatment rooms carved from the building's historic foundations offer cocoons of tranquility, where therapists blend Eastern wisdom with Western techniques. Here, ancient Ayurvedic traditions meet modern luxury through Dr. Barbara Sturm's sought-after facials and ocean-inspired therapies. The fitness center blends comfort with modern equipment, while the pool area captures natural light through cleverly designed windows, creating an ethereal atmosphere that makes you forget you're underground.   Secrets & Surprises For a century, what is now the hotel's private Salon Boat lay hidden under Dutch waters until its discovery. Restored by Studio Piet Boon and crowned with artist Frankey's playful lion figurehead, this former sunken treasure now cruises the same waters that once claimed it.  Where should our next inspired stay take you?  Keep Exploring ♢ A radical city, a riveting past. Explore Amsterdam with Russell Shorto.  ♢ Discover 23 unforgettable ways to experience Amsterdam.  ♢ How The Netherlands made aviation history in 1920.  ♢ The story of why tulips once cost more than gold.  ♢ Did the Dutch invent gin and what's the King got to do with it? Inspired Stays occasionally shares links and products we love, and may earn a commission on sales.    This edition of Inspired Stays was photographed by Nicolas Quiniou and produced by Borja Matheu Condeminas  Were you forwarded this email? Sign up here   Copyright © 2025 Inspired Stays. All rights reserved. |
Thursday, 8 May 2025
No. 20 – Special Edition: Rosewood Amsterdam – The Netherlands
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