3 Best Hotels in Oosterdok, Amsterdam

Glorious from the outside, with stone and brick decoration, the hotel's public spaces and guest quarters retain the distinctive style and warm colors of the Amsterdam School, a Dutch version of Art Nouveau. A stay at this former office of the major Dutch shipping companies ensures quiet luxury in the city center. Original sculptures, wood paneling, and stained-glass art remain in lounges and the lovely breakfast room, while the spacious, high-ceilinged guest rooms retain some original details along with modern amenities, including double sinks, soaking tubs (in some), and complimentary minibars. Another perk: a basement spa with small swimming pool, saunas, steam room, Jacuzzi, and compact gym. The staff are friendly and professional.

The welcoming staff, well-equipped contemporary rooms, and a great location on the water, right next to Centraal Station, with wonderful city views all outweigh this shiny tower's unwelcoming exterior. Guest rooms have all the amenities you expect from a big international chain: queen-size beds, a minibar, a desk with ergonomic chair, and an Apple iMac TV/PC. Suites offer more space plus water views. The 11th-floor LuminAir bar, with an expansive terrace, is the place to sip cocktails; in bad weather, the skyline view from inside still entices.

Most of the businesslike rooms in this striking glass skyscraper, built on an island within the docks area on the IJ River, offer stunning views of the Amsterdam skyline and beyond; you can't get closer to the river cruise ships if you are planning on taking a cruise. The location is not as remote as it might seem: a complimentary shuttle connects the hotel with Centraal Station; culture vultures can make the most of classical and jazz concerts at the neighboring Muziekgebouw aan 't IJ complex; and the NEMO Science Museum, a must-see for kids, is within walking distance. The hotel is Green Globe–certified for its sustainability policy, which extends to organic coffee, eco-friendly linens, and economic use of water and electricity.