THE TOREN BOUTIQUE HOTEL AMSTERDAM
Stepping inside boutique hotel The Toren in Amsterdam you feel like you’re seeing one of the Dutch Masters’ paintings in 3D; stunning floral arrangements are dotted around the cosy Lounge Bar, and the wood panelled walls and dim lighting are the perfect antidote to the rain outside.
The Toren offers an authentic romantic escape with warm, chic interiors using lush velvets and vivid patterns designed by renowned interior designer Wim van de Oudeweetering.
Located in the centrally placed Keizersgracht district, the forty designed rooms occupy two 17th century canal houses (20-second walk from each other) once home to the flamboyant lives of Dutch trade merchants – and offer their own wonderfully unique views depending on their location in the house.
There are 3 categories of room: Cosy, Luxurious and Suites, and while they all have a different look and layout the theme of luxury and comfort runs throughout. The furnishings have been sympathetically placed to fit the challenges of gabled ceilings and the style of the iconic Dutch townhouse.
From a tasty gourmet breakfast selection to an artfully prepared cocktail, the Lounge Bar is the social heart of The Toren. This is where we ended our evenings under the crystal chandeliers sipping on expertly mixed Old Fashioned. The design of the lounge is a lush blend of historical detail and painterly design elements with the impressive ceiling mural – which was painted by students from the Leiden University, the same university attended by Rembrandt making it a perfect nighttime stop-off point for guests and non-guests alike.
The hotel also has a spacious garden courtyard but unfortunately, the weather was far too wet and windy to check it out on our visit.
One of the perfect things about The Toren is its location to everything; just a 3-minute walk from the nearest tram stop and the historic Anne Frank House museum, as well as a selection of some of Amsterdam’s best boutique shops and galleries. Just around the corner, on Herengracht, is gentleman’s atelier Property Of… selling ‘travel gear for the urban explorer’ the shop is curated perfectly with well-designed bags and rucksacks as well as colognes and other male ephemera. While having an espresso with the staff (they serve that up before doing anything else) you can pick up one of their free handy guides to the city which is a really handy list of shops, bars and restaurants that they recommend.
Alongside the Property Of… guide and a 2-night stay at The Toren, we guarantee a unique Amsterdam experience that will avoid the obvious and well-worn tourist hangouts.
