Let’s just kick the door down. Hotel Andaz is one of the most beautiful hotels of Amsterdam. Special, unique in its kind and above all a real work of art. It opened its doors at the end of 2012 as a 5-star boutique hotel as part of the famous Hyatt chain. Andaz has a special meaning too. It means “personal style” in Hindi. At this moment, the Andaz label has 12 boutique hotels all across the world. Among others in Japan, China, Costa Rica, Hawaii, London and now in Amsterdam as well.
The Andaz Hotel is situated at the Prinsengracht in the ancient library of Amsterdam and is completely redesigned by the Dutch architect Marcel Wanders. Every Andaz hotel is unique in its kind and therefore really special. Marcel Wanders strikingly redesigned the former building into a stylish hotel with all services and quality that we know from Hyatt.
Lobby Andaz
Every Andaz Hotel, instead of check-in desks, has a host to check the guests in personally with a tablet. As a guest meanwhile, you’ll be amazed by the special design and the way Marcel Wanders put his signature in every detail of this hotel. The core of this hotel is the impressive lobby.
While you go up in the glass elevator you are taken on a journey “from hell to heaven”. The unique designed wallpaper portrays a modern view on Dutch history through a range of symbols and proverbs. You get the need to go up and down a couple times, just to take in every detail.
“From Hell to Heaven”
What I always find intriguing is how the architect got seduced to create his unique design. In this case for Marcel Wander Alice in Wonderland was his biggest inspiration. Just like Alice you get taken in to the world of wonder and you become curious about the story behind Andaz.
Tiny detail, upon entering you, as a guest, walk through a small hallway before you enter the impressive lobby. Without noticing you´ve already passed a couple small doors! If you ever visit the Andaz, this is a detail you´ll never forget 😉
Andaz Hotel
Andaz tries to differ themselves when it comes to service too. Important in their concept is that the guest feels at home. You can choose for example a room with view of the enclosed garden or a room at the Prinsengracht. The rooms are designed really spaciously, decorated modernly but with very homely elements. All rooms have a Nespresso machine, a stereo set and a book collection. And for the movie lovers they have video on demand.
The minibar is completely free of charge (with exception of alcoholic beverages) and local phone calls are included. While they’re waiting or are just returning from a day in the city, guests can also enjoy a (free) drink in the lounge of the hotel, where every afternoon a great selection of wines is being served. And when you wake up in the morning, your favorite newspaper is laid out for you 🙂
View Prinsengracht
Just the central situation between the famous canals is what makes a visit to the Andaz worthwhile. With the Jordaan and the Negen Straatjes (Nine Little Streets) just around the corner it’s one of the most beautiful and nice places of Amsterdam to me! There are so many nice places to eat and beautiful boutiques to discover. I could walk around here for hours and enjoy what makes Amsterdam so special.
“9 Straatjes”
Marcel Wanders must have thought “it’s all about the details”, because the more you know about him, the more interesting it is to stay at the Andaz. The bathroom’s design, for example, is an open space with a multifunctional piece made from 150 kilos of concrete! And the sinks are different in every room. They’re also called the “one minute” sinks, because he painted them in a really short time.
Design Marcel Wanders
The coziest and surprising place I found to be the toilet. Here you can view Amsterdam’s history from the eye of Marcel Wanders in peace. It’s his modern look at the Dutch history and local culture with references to the Golden Age among others. Delft’s blue, tulips and the color orange, as well as knowledge from books from the former library inspired him for this. Well done and beautifully made.
Artistic toilet
The princes of Andaz play an important role in this hotel. The story goes that these princes whisper their dreams to you when you get close to their hands with your head. I believe in dreams too and I couldn’t help but try. Andaz especially is very accessible for everybody. There are not just business travelers, but also many families and young couples that choose to stay at this hotel. The personal service makes this hotel a hotel for everybody.
Andaz is a household name in Amsterdam and one of my favorite hotels. Especially the modern decoration in combination with the warm exterior makes it a pleasant place to be. I enjoy this place the most when I look outside over the Prinsengracht and go back in time while the boats slowly sail onward and the sun reflects in the water.
