2 Best Hotels in Oud-Zuid, Amsterdam

The cliché that “beauty comes from the inside” certainly rings true at this modern hotel that seems to float on the waters of the five canals that converge nearby, a spectacle enjoyed from many rooms as well as the waterside terraces. Architect Will Erens' exuberant decor include a rich use of patterns and materials like velvet, leather, and marble. The surrounding Apollolaan district is within walking distance of the major museums and other attractions, but guests who wish to stay put can enjoy a waterside meal at the Harbour Club Zuid or at The Living Room, by Bodon, which serves French brasserie fare in an over-the-top setting with an original Parisian Patisserie bar and intimate sofas and tables.

This unique and stylish 1895 landmark, which once housed a school, is a training ground for students of the country's top hotel-management programs, which accounts for the fresh-faced staff and eager though sometimes hit-or-miss service. Individually designed rooms are modern with warm colors, if a bit on the dark side. The location in the ominous-sounding Duivelseiland ("Devil's Island") neighborhood between Zuid and De Pijp is convenient to the Big Three museums, the Eastern Canal District, and the eclectic De Pijp neighborhood, with its shops and restaurants and a busy daily market on Albert Cuypstraat, is also within easy walking distance.