The Waldorf Astoria Amsterdam
Best for:
Gourmet, Luxury, Business and City Breaks
Points:
9.5 out of 10
The perfect time to go:
Spring and Autumn
What we love:
- The design: although it is an international luxury brand, you still feel you are in Amsterdam
- The excellence of the service: every staff member is perfectly trained to be helpful and attentive
- A pool with garden views and access: unique in a city like Amsterdam
- The changing welcome amenities
- The vast selection of Salvatore Ferragamo toiletries, you won't have to see the perfumery for days
- The signature scent in your room by Cire Trudon
We all have this one city in mind where you always wanted to go but never took the opportunity or rarely have had the time to go. So it happened with Amsterdam in our case. We were always willing to go there but the right time was just missing. We knew that one weekend would not be enough and four days could be too much. Finally we found a perfect extended weekend in January thanks to a holiday on Friday - and that's why 2017 started in such a glamorous way. Getting a chance to stay in upscale and amazing hotels is only one of the advantages as a luxury travel blogger, but even we are not staying at one of the really world's best hotels every day. After our currently last flight with Lufthansa (once one of our preferred airline partners), we were picked up by our chaffeur from Van Delden who brought us to the Waldorf Astoria in the most luxurious way possible. Upon arriving in front of a small building with a hidden entrance, we were a little bit refused as usual luxury hotel entrances look vast and upscale. Just a small sign indicating the hotel's name showed us that we are entering Amsterdam's most luxurious hotel and by the way our home for the night. What was awaiting us was simply breath-taking.
We stood in the impressive lobby and were looking to the left where the concierge desk was hidden and then chose the right side for the check-in which turned out to be the front desk. Bill was checking us in in the most welcoming way (just a half part of check-in is done at the front desk, the rest is done en-suite) and offered us a selection of perfume to spray in the room for turndown-service. It is so amazing to see they have a selection of Cire Trudon perfumes, I never used them but always wanted to buy a candle by this Parisian brand. After we have decided for one scent, we moved up to the suite. The Waldorf Astoria Amsterdam is split over five ancient buildings, each having its own characteristics. We stayed in the building at the left end and were upgraded to a Junior Suite with Canal view, which is one of their most amazing room categories, hence they have three windows, a semi-separate living room and a separated wardrobe. As soon as we entered the suite we were impressed by the welcome amenities which consisted of a chocolate ball with biscuit in form of the hotel buildings plus fresh fruits, fresh tulips and a miniature christmas tree. Another amazing feature of the suite was the vast selection of complimentary Nespresso capsules plus the never ending selection of Salvatore Ferragamo amenities. I discovered products I did not even know that they exist, such as a facial mist.
Well, the best of all these bathroom amenities was the nail care kit! I have never seen a hotel that provided such an amazing gift. With a hard case with the hotel logo on it, there was an exclusive selection of nail care things inside. The worst part was when my colleague Lukas kindly informed me that we were travelling with hand luggage and a knife and a scissor are not see with pleasure at the airport security control. I planned to send it home by post but unfortunately we had to much stress after all and could not take it with us. Anyhow to be honest this would not be the only reason I would return to the Waldorf Astoria Amsterdam. There is so much more that was simply perfect about this property. Let's move on to the bed. It was out of this world and the pillow menu definitely made my stay better. I was a little bit concerned by the air conditioning next to the bed so I turned it off completely which was absolutely fine since it was cold outside, in some seasons this could be bothering. Did I mention the gorgeous bathroom? Well I cannot decide what has been better, the bath tub with built-in television or the massive shower with the hotel's logo on the floor. I found the bath products to be matching perfectly as the overall ambiance of our Junior Suite Canal View.
For turndown-service they provided free bottled water and amazingly soft slippers with a hard bottom. The bathrobes were most comfortable as well, so nothing more to add. After a truly perfect dinner at Auberge Jean&Marie (review is following as well), we slept like the Royal Family and then were ready for breakfast. While I am not a hundred percent sure if it is always served in the Goldfinch Brasserie, the setting was perfect. We felt like in a British movie, sipping our tea/coffee, being served best waffles and Eggs Benedict while overlooking the peaceful and truly wonderful gardens of the Waldorf Astoria Amsterdam (which by the way is the biggest private courtyard in the city). Of course, service was flawless and we never had two plates on our table, furthermore the quality of the products on the buffet were amazing (I loved the salmon), tough I missed the butter and they didn't bring it with the coffee so we had to wait and ask for it. Some might find the selection limited, however there is always the option to order anything you want. It is definitely worth to go for the bed & breakfast offers.
A stay at the Waldorf Astoria Amsterdam would not be complete without a visit at the renowned Guerlain Spa. Honestly I would have never expected the spa to be that big - well at least for Amsterdam standards. Once we entered the spa we were greeted in a friendly way and shown around. Beside a wonderful relaxation room, plenty of treatment areas and changing rooms, there is a steam bath and a sauna as well as the indoor pool. I loved the fact to have access to the garden which brings daylight into the spa and therefore makes the atmosphere more relaxing and enjoyable. Before we checked-out we were visiting the museum area as well as the shopping street next to it. Without any words, the kind lady from the front desk extended our keys and by the way also extended our late check out from 3 to 4pm which I found extremely attentive, even tough we did not use it. She also accompanied us to the elevator and was doing some small talk with us - that's what I call a perfectly managed hotel.
Overall, I did not expect my first experience with the brand Waldorf Astoria to be so excellent. They exceeded expectations on the level service and in terms of room comfort and bathroom products! This is definitely a hotel I will return one day as it is exactly matching my travel habits and desires.
We were guests of the Waldorf Astoria Amsterdam and stayed on complimentary basis for editorial purposes. All above written has not been influenced and expresses our own opinion.
