The Lowdown

Located off a bustling Amsterdam sidewalk, De Witt’s stark exterior belies its warm, boutique feel. Although technically part of Kimpton, the design team worked hard to make the hotel (housed in five adjoining townhouses, three of which date back to the Renaissance) feel like part of the city’s fabric: a 17th-century poet’s apartment has been transformed into a three-story suite, the bar is lined with historic wallpaper, seating areas are decorated with local gallery art, and you’ll even find modern takes on traditional Delft tiles in guest room showers. This isn’t to say that the San Francisco-based brand resisted adding touches of Americana into the grand scheme. There’s a cute beignet and coffee window serving piping-hot pastries, while the onsite restaurant, Wyers, is all about modern takes on American comfort food. Whatever you do, don’t skip cocktails at the bar: the bartenders are experts at their craft and well-versed in the city’s long and storied history of gin production.

In the Area

You can’t get more central—or closer to onward transit—than this property. Amsterdam Centraal is about 10 minutes away on foot, while the hotel’s fleet of bicycles puts the rest of the city within easy reach. From the hotel, it’s just 10 minutes by bike to major sights like the Van Gogh Museum and Rijksmuseum, a 13-minute walk to the Anne Frank House, and less than 20 minutes on foot to Jordaan, an chic neighborhood great for shopping. For those who enjoy a brisk jog, the hotel’s general manager leads morning runs.