W Hotels Worldwide, part of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, has debuted in the Dutch capital with W Amsterdam.
Located between the Dam Square and the city’s iconic canal district, right behind the Royal Palace, the hotel is at the centre of Amsterdam’s dynamic and energetic cultural scene.
Housed between two properties–the ‘Exchange’, the former Telephone Exchange building, and the ‘Bank’, originally the KAS Bank, the 238-room W Amsterdam was designed by Office WINHOV, who were responsible for the structural design of the buildings, and BK Architects, who imagined and created the interiors. The hotel mixes the individual personalities of both buildings, bringing the historical structures back to their original state while incorporating contemporary and luxurious features.
The Exchange building is a visionary structure made up of interesting lines, integrated spaces and captivating views that echo its previous role of connecting the people of Amsterdam with the rest of the world. The Bank building, opening fully in late 2015, will house 66 sophisticated guest rooms, the AWAY Spa and XBank, an immersive creative incubator concept space that connects local design, fashion and music talents.
The 238 guest rooms include 21 suites, two WOW suites and two lavish Extreme WOW suites–the brand’s take on the Presidential suite. Guests enter their rooms using SPG Keyless, the hospitality industry’s first keyless entry system allowing guests to use their smartphone or Apple watch as a room key.
BK Architects has worked with local designers to bring the flavour of Amsterdam to life in every room. From hand-woven bedspreads designed by Bertjan Pot that depict small stories of Dutch culture, to curtains imprinted with classic Amsterdam canal houses and shower cabins inspired by traditional Dutch phone booths, each room will immerse guests in the city. The rooms and suites in the Bank building will have an exclusive look and feel with black and gold bedspreads inspired by the original bank vaults, and pillows that represent the distinctive Amsterdam windowsills.
Guests checking into W Amsterdam are whisked to the rooftop, located on the sixth floor of the Exchange building, where they enter W Lounge, W Hotels’ reinterpretation of the traditional hotel lobby, offering a 360-degree views over the city’s canal houses and buzzing streets, as well as unique music programming and an original drinks menu specially created by the Fabulous Shaker Boys. Embracing the history of the building, W Lounge features over 5 km of copper pipes, paying tribute to the telephone wires and electricity lines that exchanged information on a daily basis when the building was home to Telephone Exchange. Bold gold lines printed on the windows, specially produced by global glass manufacturer Saint Gobain, and a distinctive set of stairs that mimic the steps of Dam Square on the streets below, complete the unique design.
W Amsterdam – WET®, Amsterdam’s first rooftop pool, offering views of the Royal Palace and lively historic centre
Looking out to the Royal Palace and lively historic centre, WET Deck is Amsterdam’s first rooftop pool, spanning 22 metres and heated in winter.
The Entourage Group, known for some of Amsterdam’s most talked-about restaurants, all designed by BK Architects, operate two restaurants,; THE DUCHESS and MR PORTER. MR PORTER offers an exciting rooftop-dining experience alongside W Lounge in the Exchange building, and showcases a modern take on the traditional steakhouse, blending flavours and world-class service with a dynamic ambiance created by the open kitchen. THE DUCHESS, which opened in June, combines London heritage with Viennese grandeur, offering elegant dining, lunch and afternoon tea alongside a wide selection of vermouths, cocktails and champagnes. Inspired by the history of the former KAS Bank, the restaurant retains a sense of heritage and charm with its high ceilings and original fixtures.
The W Amsterdam offers a full calendar of exclusive W Happenings, showcasing what’s new and next in design, fashion and music.