Top 14 Cool And Unique Hotels In Amsterdam

Amsterdam’s fondness for the quirky and original is a prominent theme in many of its excellent hotels. From my many trips, here are my favourite spots in the Netherlands‘ capital city, guaranteed to inject some serious fun and style into your stay…

1. nHow Hotel

I found this large contemporary design hotel was a mash up of Dutch culture, modern art and funky patterns – the lobby’s neon accents and bold geometric murals had guests stopping mid-check-in to photograph the space (seriously)!

I was fully immersed in my soundproofed standard double room which had a giant wall mural of a yoga teacher (!), funky furniture, a turquoise retro phone, a gold palm tree lamp – the staff told me that every room’s design was inspired by different corners of the world!

Location: Zuidas (RAI District) | Nearest station: Europaplein (3 min walk) | Price range: €€€ | Vibe: Bold, art-led, sky-high glamour

• To check prices or availability for the nHow Hotel

My favorite highlights… 

• Dining on the 24th floor, surrounded by lush greenery and 360º city views, I savoured spiced pumpkin rice with earthy beetroot and sweet fig! 

2. Hotel Not Hotel

I was in pretty much in awe of this hotel — I found it to be incredibly creative yet laid-back, with none of the intimidating feel some design hotels have. It felt like an art gallery with whimsical touches: a gingerbread house, tram carriage, Thai Tuk Tuk and my very favorite — a 2-D printed cottage! 

I stayed in the tram cart right in the lobby — a cozy double with a shared bathroom that really did feel like indoor glamping: adventurous, fun, and full of charm. I lazed in the art-filled lounge, a cozy cocktail bar, and sampled a lime-spiked Pad Thai Goong in their Thai restaurant. 

Location: Amsterdam-West | Nearest station: De Clercqstraat (2 min walk) | Price range: €€ | Vibe: Whimsical, artsy, offbeat

My highlights… 

• Cocktails at the lively Kevin Bacon Bar – the Green Curry Cocktail made with green chilis, coriander-seed-infused rum, and cardamom bitters had a seriously spicy kick!

3. Hotel Arena

This artistic boutique hotel was set in an impressively renovated 19th-century Catholic orphanage. It had a chic, serene atmosphere and a heady fusion of historic Dutch architecture and contemporary design with exposed brick and arched windows. 

My superior king suite had parquet floors, high ceilings, and an Art Deco inspired-palette of muted greens and dusky pinks. The glossy bathroom featured a freestanding tub, and there was even an onsite chapel!

Location: Amsterdam East (Oosterpark) | Nearest station: Weesperplein (10 min walk) | Price range: €€€ | Vibe: Historic-chic, serene, design-forward

My personal highlights…

4. Outside Inn

This place was seriously fun — indoor camping at its best! Vintage caravans, glamping tents, beach huts, and rustic cabins were set around a communal “outdoor” space with greenery and picnic tables, all inside a restored industrial building. It felt like a sociable urban campsite.

I stayed in a lovingly restored vintage caravan decked out in bold pink-and-white patterns with a comfy double bed, retro furniture, faux fur throws, and even an air purifier! The bathrooms were shared to add to the camping-like experience!

Location: Duivendrecht | Nearest station: Van der Madeweg (4 min walk) | Price range: €€ | Vibe: Quirky, indoor-campsite, sociable

My highlights… 

5. Volkshotel

This was definitely one for the Instagrammer’s! I found it housed in a former newspaper building and it wowed me with its unique design complete with very creative art installations, exposed concrete, steel, and quirky touches such as 3D white bicycles mounted on walls and plastic giant stags!

My standard double paired polished concrete floors and huge shuttered windows with white linens, funky graphics and even a cute little cactus, the light from and the city views from all angles made it look very unique. I also sampled rooftop spa (with no less than three hot tubs!) 360º view restaurant, live music nights and cool yoga classes! 

• To check prices or availability for the Volkshotel

Location: De Pijp (Amsterdam East border) | Nearest station: Wibautstraat (1 min walk) | Price range: €€ | Vibe: Industrial, creative, rooftop-cool

My personal highlights… 

• Dining at Canvas — a buzzy vibe, friendly staff, and standout vegan bitterballen with creamy homemade Dutch potato salad!

6. Hotel Zaandam

This large design hotel is housed in an extraordinary building that looks like a stack of 70 traditional Zaan-style houses in different shades of green. Inside, it blended modern comfort with historic charm through contemporary furnishings, vintage photos, and local artifacts — and despite its size, it felt warm and welcoming.

As well as relaxing in my superior factory design room which had a striking monochrome palette, trendy retro furniture, an extra-large double bed, and a monochrome photographic mural of Amsterdam I swam in the pool and sweated (a lot!) in the sauna and steam bath!

My personal highlights… 

• Dining at Puur Saen Restaurant – I liked the locally sourced dishes, and a heavenly vegetarian burger in a warm, freshly baked brioche bun! 

7. Hotel De Hallen

This fabulous industrial-chic hotel is set in a beautifully restored 1902 tram depot, where architect Andre van Stigt preserved the original glass ceiling and exposed brickwork while adding metal walkways and concrete floors. Quirky art and retro furniture gave the space a vibrant, one-of-a-kind character.

My soundproofed deluxe double room came with olive-green walls, warm tan leather headboards, open wood shelving with subtle mid-century touches. I enjoyed having a whole mini-world on site — library, cinema, boutiques, even an indoor food market — all under one roof!

Location: Zaandam (12 mins by train from Centraal) | Nearest station: Zaandam (2 min walk) | Price range: €€€ | Vibe: Playful-architectural, heritage-inspired, bold

My highlights… 

8. YOTEL

This funky mid-range hotel had a buzzy, tech-savvy vibe and sleek design inspired by first-class airline cabins. Retro furniture, a waterfront setting, a trendy terrace, and landscaped gardens made it feel both vibrant and relaxing.

My premium queen room was compact and minimalistic with an adjustable SmartBed, mood lighting, neon accent lights, and smart tech — I couldn’t stop messing around with the climate control! I enjoyed the Komyuniti restaurant and starting each day with a buffet breakfast featuring ‘Kroket’ sandwiches and bitterballen!

Location: Amsterdam Noord (Tolhuiskanaal) | Nearest station: Noorderpark (15 min walk + ferry) | Price range: €€ | Vibe: Tech-savvy, compact-cool, social

My personal highlights… 

• The onsite eatery – it served up truly innovative flavours, like beer-marinated chicken, roasted cauliflower sandwiches, and my favourite—a vegan version of their Adam Dog!

9. Hotel V Frederiksplein

I checked into the moody boutique industrial-style hotel and found a cosy spot with charcoal walls, crackling fireplaces, soulful music, jewel-toned velvet chairs, and softly glowing filament bulbs that felt effortlessly curated rather than styled.

I opted a standard double and it was a striking space with warm wood-panelled walls, white textured tiles, inky blackout curtains, minimalist black wall lamps, and a globe pendant – all very boutiquey with a subtle mid-century edge. Their bar served organic spirits and beer, adding to the sophisticated vibe.

Location: Frederiksplein (City Centre edge) | Nearest station: Vijzelgracht (6 min walk) | Price range: €€ | Vibe: Retro-modern, cosy, eco-conscious

My personal highlights… 

• Its eco-friendly ethos — the staff proudly told me about its Green Key Gold certification, tree-planting initiative, second-hand vintage furnishings, and completely plastic-free amenities!

10. Moxy Houthavens

This place had a youthful, sociable vibe with an industrial-chic design full of playful details — bold murals, bright colors, exposed concrete, and superb waterfront views.

My Moxy Sleeper Lookout Queen room featured retro dark wood, splashes of color, floor-to-ceiling windows with harbour views, soundproofing, hypoallergenic features, air con, and a compact modern bathroom.

I loved the lively 24/7 bar, fitness center, indoor pool, sauna, bike rentals, and pet-friendly policies. Its scenic Houthavens waterfront location was perfect — just a short ride from the city center, with nearby design studios, cafés, and galleries adding to the creative vibe.

Location: Houthavens Waterfront | Nearest station: Amsterdam Sloterdijk (10 min bus) | Price range: €€ | Vibe: Youthful, industrial, waterfront-fun

My favourite highlights

• The mixologists whipping up a ‘Prancing Pony’ for me — a very punchy mix of bourbon, orange juice, bitters, and ginger ale!

11. The Exchange Hotel

This was small but very fashionable boutique hotel! It felt like an art gallery as much as a hotel – it had textile-driven interiors where their Insta-worthy rooms fused graphic patterns, colour clashes, couture-inspired fabrics, and avant-garde design in an ultra-creative, slightly surreal way!

I booked into a Superior Double was uniquely designed by fashion designers from the Amsterdam Fashion Institute and it was seriously extraordinary – I slept in double bed which was incased inside an enormous crinoline skirt! The rooms ranged from budget to five star and there was a cute on-site café and sociable common areas.

Location: Damrak (City Centre) | Nearest station: Amsterdam Centraal (5 min walk) | Price range: €€ | Vibe: Avant-garde, fashion-forward, artistic

My personal highlights…

12. Jaz Hotel

Overall the Jaz Hotel had a music-inspired urban industrial style — bold graphic wall art, concrete and dark metal finishes, vinyl and DJ motifs, punchy colour accents, and a cool, backstage vibe that felt edgy, creative, and slightly rock-and-roll!

My modern Superior Double featured an audiophile-approved Bose sound system, a private balcony, and impressive city views. I also stumbled across an onsite wellness centre, pop-up performances in the lively bar, onsite dining in the ‘Super Trouper’ area, and live DJ performances at the Beatbox – awesome!

• To check prices or availability for Jaz Hotel

Location: Amsterdam Zuidoost | Nearest station: Strandvliet (2 min walk) | Price range: €€ | Vibe: Music-themed, energetic, contemporary

My favourite highlights… 

• Watching the local band My Baby perform live at Rhythms Bar & Kitchen – they were a unique blend of blues, country, and funk!

13. Amstel Botel

This was a novel and fun stay – it was a floating hotel moored at the vibrant NDSM Wharf, just a 10-minute ride from the city centre (via a free ferry). It has a cute maritime-meets-pop-art style — striking primary colours, quirky oversized letter-themed rooms and casual, creative, and unmistakably Amsterdam atmosphere! 

My Loft Letter L featured plenty stark white walls, bold black graphic mural, low platform wooden bed, geometric monochrome side tables, and a circular window create a funky, minimalist, design-led look. I unwound with a locally brewed craft beer on the boat’s deck and played pool with other guests in the games room.

Location: NDSM Wharf (Amsterdam Noord) | Nearest station: Centraal + free ferry (10 mins total) | Price range: €€ | Vibe: Nautical, quirky, waterfront-casual

My highlights… 

14. The Social Hub

The concept here was simple but unique – interestingly it combined hotel accommodation, extended stays, student digs, co-working spaces, and social areas all under one roof! The design — splashed with colourful street art, uplifting banners, and retro furniture — felt effortlessly hip, and I loved the upbeat, sociable vibe.

I checked into an Executive Queen Room and it featured hip-looking ‘studenty’ decor in a modern Scandinavian-meets-industrial style — clean lines, warm wood tones, matte black accents and a funky bold wall banner! I hung out in the sociable communal spaces and found a events calendar filled with art exhibitions, live music, and themed parties!

Location: Wibautstraat (Amsterdam East) | Nearest station: Wibautstraat (2 min walk) | Price range: €€ | Vibe: Community-driven, youthful, creative

My highlights… 

• Seeing the concept actually work — students, young professionals, academics, families, and travellers all mingled effortlessly, giving the whole place a brilliant buzz!