Music fans need to check out Amsterdam's ridiculously cool Hard Rock Hotel
The Hard Rock Hotel Amsterdam American is a stylish homage to music but you could easily enjoy a stay there just to make the most of the city's diverse sights.
Music, of course, a cool and timeless feel, a venerable history, a prime location on Leidseplein and an Insta-must staircase. You feel comfortable right away.
The original hotel here opened in 1902 on the site of its smaller wooden predecessor from 1880 and was an instant success. Fast forward to 2020, via several owners, incarnations and renovations, and the property debuted as a 173-room Hard Rock after a major makeover, though one that very much preserved its Singelgracht canalside history and Art Nouveau exterior.
As a Hard Rock, there are, of course, many fine examples of music memorabilia, including clothes worn by Jimi Hendrix, Prince, Aretha Franklin, Lady Gaga, Elton John, Elvis and Slash.
Nigel Thompson on the eye-catching staircase at the Hard Rock Hotel Amsterdam (DAILY MIRROR)
Hard Rock Hotel Amsterdam - Elton John suit (DAILY MIRROR)Plus there are guitars from Steve Miller, Chrissie Hynde and Eddie Van Halen, and Robert Plant’s signature in a guest book (more of the guests later).
Inside the dreamy hotel with a huge infinity pool right over a lagoon
That said, you could happily stay here if music is not your thing.
The style
Walk through the front door and the showstopper double floor-height scarlet marble staircase stops you in your tracks. You WILL want a picture, probably even before you have checked in.
To your room – no two are exactly the same – and my Deluxe was expansive, a little avant-garde with all mod cons and featured a Fender speaker to play your own tunes via Bluetooth, a large TV which offered Hard Rock’s own curated playlists.
Hard Rock Hotel Amsterdam - Jimi Hendrix jacket (DAILY MIRROR)If you wish, you can order up a guitar for a private pluck or a record player and vinyl. Even the linen has a musical note, with guitars woven in.
The bathroom won me over though, with a blue light above the shower that made the running water dance with sparkling cobalt drops.
Food and drink
The bar at Amsterdam Hard Rock Hotel - photos of Bon Jovi and Guns N' Roses
The bar at Amsterdam Hard Rock Hotel - photos of Paul WellerIt takes a lot to surpass That Insta Staircase, but the Art Deco joy that is the Cafe Americain does it, with an imposing horseshoe shaped bar at the centre, suspended Tiffany lamps and a view over Leidseplein. A truly grand cafe indeed.
My steak frites (€32.50) was simple perfection and the cheese platter with walnuts, grapes, nut bread and quince compote (€17.50) was an intriguing dive into fine Dutch cheeses.
Breakfast offered a good continental buffet with some hot items but with eggs Benedict on the special order menu there was no holding back: a drumroll from me.
Next door and down a few steps is the Bar Americain and terrace, which has been welcoming hotel guests and visitors for more than 50 years to enjoy a cocktail, glass of wine or chilled Dutch beer served by some of the best bartenders in town.
Hard Rock Hotel Amsterdam room (DAILY MIRROR)The music legacy here pre-dates the Hard Rock era, as touring stars have long stayed, or visited for a drink or snack.
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The dozens of black and white photos on the walls feature legends ranging from Bon Jovi to Paul Weller and Bryan Ferry to Guns ’N Roses. There is one absolutely inviolable house rule – that photo must be black and white, must be taken in the bar and must be taken by the excellent bar staff (as are staff throughout the property, with a shout out for lovely Carlos in the Cafe Americain).
It also hosts live music and DJ sets and is effortlessly fabulous.
While you're there
Shape up in the 24-hour Body Rock Fitness Centre and stock up at the Rock Shop for branded clothing and accessories, with lovely Voldelpark a few minutes’ walk away for 120 acres of pleasing green space.
A day out
The cultural riches of Amsterdam await – key museums include the Rijksmuseum and its array of Rembrandts and more, the Van Gogh and the Anne Frank, but remember to book timed slots in advance as they are hugely busy.
For something different try Micropia, east of the city centre. It’s the world’s only museum of microbes and tells the fascinating and occasionally unnerving story of the microscopic organisms that are an integral part of almost all aspects of human life. Covid-19, a plethora of poo, years old rotten food, STDs, household bugs, lichen, algae, indestructible glass armoured diatoms, biofuels, it’s all here.
Count your own microbes at Amsterdam's Micopia! (DAILY MIRROR)
Should you be wondering, the average human is host to around 180 trillion of them internally and externally, weighing 1.5kg!
For a sleek drink with a view try the city’s newest and most in-demand roof bar, the LuminAir on the 11th floor of the DoubleTree by Hilton Amsterdam hotel next to Centraal Station. Expect curated cocktails and innovative light bites (luminairamsterdam.com).
Perhaps best of all, simply stroll Amsterdam’s virtually traffic-free, canal-lined streets (but keep an eye out for silent ninja cyclists and trams).
Book the holiday
- Eurostar offers one-way fares between London St Pancras International and Amsterdam Centraal from £39. eurostar.com
- Rooms at the Hard Rock Hotel Amsterdam American start at around £197 a night room-only. hardrockhotels.com/amsterdam-american
- More info at holland.com
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