Hotel
De L’Europe Amsterdam
A grand riverside hotel at Muntplein, opened in 1896, with 107 rooms and suites, a pool and spa, and several restaurants overlooking the Amstel.
Hotel Okura Amsterdam
A five-star hotel by the Amstel canal in De Pijp, opened in 1971, with Ciel Bleu on its 23rd floor and several Japanese restaurants.
At a glance
- Type
- Luxury hotel
- Area
- De Pijp, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Price
- $$$$ · Luxury
- Hotel class
- 5-star
- Official site
- okura.nl
Good to know
- Michelin-starred restaurants
- Spa with indoor pool
- Rooftop bar
- Car park
- Amstel canal views
Why we recommend it
Hotel Okura Amsterdam opened in September 1971 and occupies a 23-storey tower beside the Amstel canal at the southern end of Ferdinand Bolstraat, near the Barbiersbrug. At 78 metres, it was built well outside the historic centre, and its upper floors look out over the canals, the rooftops of De Pijp and the city beyond. The hotel blends Japanese hospitality with a European setting, and it has long been one of Amsterdam's leading luxury addresses.
The hotel is best known for its food. On the 23rd floor, Ciel Bleu holds two Michelin stars and has done since 2007, while Yamazato, a traditional Japanese restaurant, holds one star of its own. Teppanyaki is served at Sazanka, Serre offers relaxed dining with a Michelin Bib Gourmand and a terrace overlooking the Amstel, and Kiri, the Lobby Bar and the Twenty Third Bar, with its views, complete the line-up. For guests who love dining, it is rare to find so much choice under one roof.
Rooms and suites have been refurbished in recent years, and the higher floors offer the widest views. The Nagomi Spa and Wellness centre includes an indoor swimming pool, and the hotel has a car park, which is useful in a city where parking is scarce. It works for business travellers, couples, food lovers and families who want space and a pool.
The hotel is a five-star property. Book directly through the reservations team or the website, and ask for a room on a high floor facing the city if the view is important. Restaurant tables, especially at Ciel Bleu and Yamazato, should be reserved well ahead of your stay. The hotel says Schiphol is about 15 minutes away by car.
The location is quieter than the canal ring but well connected. A nearby metro station on the Noord-Zuid line links the hotel with Central Station in a few minutes, and trams run along the nearby streets. De Pijp, with the Albert Cuyp Market and its many cafés and restaurants, is a short walk north, and the Rijksmuseum and Museumplein are about 20 minutes on foot. The RAI convention centre is also close by.
Hotel Okura Amsterdam FAQs
When did the hotel open?
In September 1971.
Which restaurants are in the hotel?
Ciel Bleu, Yamazato, Sazanka, Kiri, Serre, the Twenty Third Bar and the Lobby Bar.
Does it have Michelin-starred restaurants?
Yes, Ciel Bleu has two stars and Yamazato has one.
Is there a pool?
Yes, the Nagomi Spa and Wellness centre includes an indoor pool.
Is there parking?
Yes, the hotel has a car park.
How far is Schiphol?
The hotel says about 15 minutes by car.
How tall is the building?
It has 23 floors and is 78 metres high.
What is nearby?
De Pijp, the Albert Cuyp Market and the RAI.