HARD ROCK AMERICAN in Amsterdam - Hotel Review with Photos

SD › Amsterdam › Hotels › Hard Rock American Review
Updated: May 26, 2022

Essentials
• Location: Leidsekade, across the water from Centraal Station.
• Hotel website: hardrockhotels.com
• Hotel phone: +31-(0)20-556-3000
• Check prices for Hard Rock American

Owned by the famous music-themed brand, the Hard Rock American hotel offers luxurious rooms with memorabilia from the music industry displayed proudly throughout the property.

Hard Rock American – Grand early-twentieth-century hotel on bustling Leidseplein.

One of Amsterdam’s grand dames, Hard Rock Hotel (previously Amsterdam Hotel American) is a 1902 Viennese Renaissance masterpiece – all turrets and gables and stained glass, right in the heart of Amsterdam’s Theatre District. In its heyday, it was the city’s most modern hotel – the first one to have an elevator – and while its restaurant retains a turn-of-the-century ambience, it has recently undergone a spruce-up. The rooms are spacious and decorated in an Art Deco-inspired contemporary style, with compact bathrooms but large mirrors, and nice extras such as espresso makers and pillow menus. Service is professional and helpful, and the hotel is perfectly located both for sightseeing and nightlife.

Hard Rock American – Location

Area: On the edge of the historic canal ring, and right on the busy Leidseplein square, surrounded by restaurants, bars and clubs. The 3 main art museums of the Museum Quarter are less than 10 minutes’ walk (800m) away; Anne Frank House – 18 minutes (1.5 km) on foot; plus there are numerous other museums, art galleries, and shops within easy walking distance. Walkable to the Medieval Center, Jordaan, and De Pijp. The nearest tram stop is just steps away, with quick and easy connections to the Medieval Center, Red Light District, Centraal Station, and the Museum Quarter.
Address: Leidsekade 97.
Nearest Transport: Bus & Tram – Leidseplein (100m), Metro – Vijzelgracht (1 km).
How to Get There: Take the train from Schiphol Airport to Centraal Station, then tram #1, #2 or #5 to the Leidseplein stop, 2-minute walk (150m) from the hotel.
Private Transfer: We use and recommend Welcome Pickups car service. Booking through a private car service will cost only a bit more than a taxi – about €50 from Schiphol Airport – but can be worth it to avoid the long taxi queue and for the convenience of paying ahead.
Handy to: Leidseplein and its nightlife, Museumplein, Vondelpark.

Hard Rock American – The Basics

Ages: Most guests are couples on a city break. Children are welcome, though there are few child-friendly facilities besides baby cots. Babysitting services can be arranged on request.
View: The 175 rooms overlook either the Singel canal or the bustling Leidseplein square; the latter come with small balconies.
Private Pools/Jacuzzis: No private pools/jacuzzi.
Laundry: In-room laundry service.
Extras: There’s a bona fide recording studio – Studio Americain – in the basement, in case you’re looking to record some music professionally. Pets are allowed for a fixed fee and are presented with special sWAG bags, music playlists, and treats.
When to Book: Reserve 3 to 4 months in advance for the mid-March to mid-May tulip season, the July and August high season, and the Christmas-New Year period.
How to Book: Booking.com will have the best rates.
Phone: +31-(0)20-556-3000
Email: info@hrhamsterdam.com
Website: hardrockhotels.com

Hard Rock American – Amenities

Pool: No pool.
Spa: No spa, but there’s an on-site sauna.
Fitness Center: Fully equipped fitness center.
For Disabled Guests: Not suitable for disabled guests.
For Families: Baby cots and babysitting services available on request.

Hard Rock American – Food and Drink

Restaurants: The Café Americain (8am-10pm) is wonderfully atmospheric, with high arched ceilings, Jugendstil wall murals, and Art Deco lamps. Perch at the green Italian marble and brushed brass bar for a drink, or else dine on modern brasserie dishes, served to the accompaniment of live piano music. $$.
Lounge/Bar: The plush red seats of Bar Americain make for a cozy spot to sip one of their excellent cocktails. Its walls are covered with the photos of many celebrities who once frequented this watering hole, such as Amy Winehouse, and there’s live music every first Tuesday of the month.
Breakfast: Not complimentary. Good buffet breakfast with a selection of hot dishes available between 8am and 10.30am; €23 per person.
Room Service: 24-hour room service available.

Hard Rock American – Rooms

Room Types: Classic • Superior • Rock Royalty • Deluxe • Junior Suite • Rock Star Suite • Accessible Room • List of all Rooms
Smoking Rooms: Hard Rock Hotel is 100% smoke-free.
Best Room: It’s hard to go wrong with a Junior Suite overlooking the Singel canal.
For Families: No family rooms per se.

Hard Rock American – Local Transport

Walking: About 10 minutes’ walk (900m) to Van Gogh Museum, Rijksmuseum and Stedelijk Museum. Easy walking distance to Vondelpark, high-end shopping along P.C. Hooftstraat, and numerous boutiques, restaurants, bars and shops in the canal ring. Walkable to the Medieval Center, Red Light District, Jordaan, and De Pijp.
Tram: Direct tram connections from the nearby Leidseplein stop to Centraal Station via the Medieval Center, the Museum Quarter, and Vondelpark.
Taxis, Uber: Taxis and Uber charge around €35 from the airport to the hotel. Within the city, Uber rides cost around half of taxi fares. It’s often quicker to walk, cycle, or jump on a tram.

Hard Rock American – What’s Nearby?

Recommended Nearby Tours

Blue Boat Company – Popular canal cruises. Start location: 500m.
Joy Ride Tours – Intimate, small-group cycling tours of central Amsterdam and the countryside, departing from the Museumplein. Customized tours possible. Start location: 1 km.

Best Nearby Restaurants

Hosokawa – Slick, contemporary Japanese restaurant specializing in sushi, teppanyaki, and robatayaki dishes. Great onsite bar, too. (250m).
The Pantry – Classic Dutch dishes such as herring with pickles and hutspot (hearty beef stew); old-fashioned, wood-paneled setting. (300m).
Restaurant De Blauwe Hollander – Light Dutch bites for lunch, and hearty dishes (liver with apple and potato mash, bacon-wrapped meatballs) for dinner. (300m).
Taste of Culture – Hearty mix of Peking and Sichuan dishes, from Peking duck to fish in spicy broth with chilies. (400m)
Casa Peru – The Netherlands’ only Peruvian restaurant. Come here for ceviche, aji de gallina (chicken in spicy yellow sauce), and pisco cocktails. (400m).
Ron Gastrobar Oriental – Asian-inspired tapas-style dishes such as Wagyu steak tartare and dim sum with foie gras. (500m).
Blue Pepper – Amsterdam’s best Indonesian restaurant, with an exquisite rijsttafel (small dish) spread. Tasting menu only; vegetarian options available. (500m).
Pastini – Great canal-side location, Renaissance interior, antipasto specialties, homemade pastas, and decadent desserts. (500m).
Stach – Casual Mediterranean cuisine; get homemade pastas, sandwiches, and organic bread to go, or have it here. (700m).

Best Nearby Bars and Live Music

NJOY Cocktailbar – The bartender will mix you an imaginative cocktail to match your personality here. Occasional cocktail-making classes, too. No under-23’s. (200m).
Café Eijlders – Brown, stained-glass café that served as a gathering place for artists resisting the Nazis during WWII. A chilled-out spot for a drink; exhibitions and poetry readings sometimes held here. (250m).
Suzy Wong – Crimson-lit bar with mirrored ceiling, bamboo garden, fresh-fruit mojitos, and a stylish clientele. (250m).
Jazz Café Alto – Local and international jazz and blues performers take to the stage here. (250m).
Bourbon Street – Themed live music nightly, from the likes of blues veteran Lamar Chase to Afrobeat, soul and R&B by La Frica. (350m).
De Zotte – Oak-paneled watering hole, with over 130 Belgian and Dutch beers, including Trappist beers, and some rare and unusual brews. The food menu includes the signature Hartige Tart and Flemish steaks; get here early to nab a table. (350m).
L&B Whisky Café – Single malt, single cask, bourbon, blend…this intimate whisky bar stocks over 2,100 whiskies from around the world, from Scotland to Japan. (350m).
Café de Spuyt – A favorite with students and beer buffs, this friendly pub serves over 100 bottled brews from around the world, including Belgian Trappist ales. (400m).
Café het Molenpad – Popular canal-side café by day; candlelit, romantic bar by night. (500m).
De Doffer – Informal, 70’s-style café and bar, popular with students and artists. Inexpensive beer and food. (800m).

Nearby Shopping and Cool Shops

Heinen Delfts Blauw – One of several outlets in Amsterdam selling the renowned blue-and-white Delft ceramics. (400m).
Young Designers United – Wallet-friendly women’s fashion by hip young designers such as Jutka en Riska, Agna K, and Fenny Faber. (500m).
Mark Raven Amsterdam Art – Amsterdam cityscapes in drawing, sketch, and T-shirt print form. (500m).
Reflex Modern Art Gallery – Contemporary photography and art by members of Nouveau Realiste and CoBrA movements. (500m).
Frozen Fountain – Bold, interior design store selling unique homewares and furniture. (500m).
Tinkerbell – Fun and educational toys for kids of all ages. (500m).
Denham the Jeanmaker – Flagship menswear store selling jeans, jackets and knitwear; the women’s branch is around the corner. (500m).
Kramer Kunst & Antiek – Antique Dutch tiles are the specialty, but you may find all sorts of antique treasures here. (600m).
Carl Denig – Long-established outdoor retailer; come here for hiking equipment, tents, outdoor gear, and more. (700m).
Jaski Gallery – Sculptures, ceramics, prints and paintings by members of the CoBrA (Copenhagen/Brussels/Amsterdam) art movement. (750m).
So ART Gallery – Contemporary art prints, paintings, sculptures, and drawings, from the 1900s to the present day. (750m).

Nearby Market or Grocery

Marqt – Large, well-stocked supermarket. (400m).

Hard Rock American – The Hotel

The hotel's lobby showcases photos of the hotel over the years.

Don’t miss the photos of the Hard Rock American hotel through the ages in the lobby.

The basement features a professional recording studio.

If you’re a musician, you might want to take advantage of Studio Americain – the professional recording studio in the basement.

Bar Americain is popular with celebrities, and features live music once a month.

Bar Americain is covered with the photos of many celebrities who once drank here, such as Amy Winehouse, and there’s live music every first Tuesday of the month.

Café Americain serves modern brasserie dishes all day.

Café Americain is particularly atmospheric, with its high arched ceilings, Jugendstil wall murals and Art Deco lamps. Modern brasserie dishes served all day.