NH Collection Doelen Hotel in Amsterdam

Amsterdam’s oldest hotel, NH Collection Doelen features modern and luxurious rooms and historical references throughout the property in a super-central location.

The decor of NH Collection Doelen is old world meets contemporary, with plenty of marble and chandeliers.

The onsite Bumbu Kitchen (noon-4pm & 6-11pm) is popular with Amsterdammers and guests alike for its inspired takes on Indonesian cuisine; reservations recommended.

While the Superior and Superior with Canal View rooms are the same size, it’s worth spending extra on the view.

All rooms, including the suites, come equipped with walk-in power showers.

As with the Superior rooms, the only difference between Premium and Premium with Canal View is the view, and it’s worth the extra splurge.

The lobby comes with cozy spaces for lounging around.

The Junior Suite is particularly light and bright, with canal views from 2 sides.

The Rembrandt Suite boasts a reproduction of “The Night Watch” by Rembrandt in the place where the original used to be in the 17th century.

The Empress Suite is the most spacious, and has some of the best canal views, but it’s on the ground floor, so some guests may prefer a canal view suite higher up.

Typical canal view from a canal view suite on the top floor.

Narrow Nieuwe Doelenstraat and then largely pedestrian Staalstraat head east from the hotel to the Stopera, Amsterdam’s opera and ballet venue that hosts performances by renowned ballet companies and orchestras from around the world.

Just north of Stopera, the Waterlooplein hosts a busy flea market (Monday to Saturday), selling everything from clothes to bric-a-brac. There are some food stalls as well.

Behind the market is the Rembrandt House, where the painter lived for much of his working life before going bankrupt. His rooms have been recreated as they once were, and you can see his original sketches. The audioguide is worthwhile.

2 blocks east of Rembrandt House and down a narrow lane is the superb Jewish Historical Museum, with exhibits about the Jewish community in the Netherlands from 1600 to the present day, spread across 4 beautiful synagogues. The ticket gives you access to the Portuguese Israelite synagogue across the busy main thoroughfare.

To reach the Stopera from the hotel, you cross several small and picturesque canals.

Staalstraat is dotted with a few good shops and eateries. These include BIEC, where you can pick up funky household gadgets, ceramics, women’s accessories, and other cool gifts.

Nearby, the neighborhood branch of the Amsterdam Duck Store sells novelty rubber ducks in every disguise imaginable: as Batman, Harry Potter, Game of Thrones characters, and more.

Across the street, Droog is another great place for unusual gifts such as cool homeware. There’s also a gallery and café attached.

A few doors down, the local branch of Puccini Bomboni sells some of the best handmade chocolates in the city.

Just west of the bridge over Zwanenburgwal canal, bustling Frenzi is popular with its imaginative Mediterranean tapas, dozens of types of grappa, and occasional live music.

If instead of taking Staalstraat, you continue walking along the Kloveniersburgwal canal, a few blocks north you reach Nieuwmarkt square, on the edge of the Red Light District and surrounded by bars. On Saturdays, the square hosts a farmers’ market; on Sundays, an antique market.

On the way, you pass Anna + Nina, an outlet featuring women’s apparel and accessories by local designers.

De Bekeerde Suster, near the square, is a particularly atmospheric place for a beer. A 16th century cloister turned brewery, it has 4 of its own brews on tap, plus many bottled ones.

Inside the Misc EatDrinkSleep boutique hotel, the cozy Rosalia’s Menagerie cocktail bar is open to non-guests in the evenings. It’s an excellent place to sample jenevers and jenever-based cocktails, and the ambience is a world away from most bars of the Red Light District.

A short walk southwest from the hotel, a bridge crosses over the Amstel to Muntplein, a busy tram intersection. Branching off from the southeast corner is Reguliersbreestraat, a busy tramway that runs east to Rembrandtplein. It’s lined with cafes, and is home to Amsterdam’s famous art deco cinema, Pathe Tuschinkitheater.

Rembrandtplein square is one of Amsterdam’s most popular nightlife hubs, surrounded by bars and clubs.

A block south of Rembrandtplein, on the banks of Herengracht canal, the Museum of Bags and Purses showcases the largest collection of handbags and purses in the Western world, from 16th century pouches to the latest Gucci. Not to be missed!

A block east, Museum Willet-Holthuysen is a sumptuous 18th century residence with a gorgeous garden, and rooms filled with period furniture.

While many of the restaurants surrounding Rembrandtplein are overpriced and mediocre, notable exceptions include Guts: wallet-friendly fine dining with a frequently changing, experimental menu. Good-value lunches.

A block west of the southwest corner of Rembrandtplein, along Reguliersdwarsstraat, an unmarked door hides Door 74, a speakeasy-style bar with amazing cocktails. Get the code via text message in advance to gain entry.

Further west, the street is pedestrianized, and lined with many gay bars and a few restaurants that mostly cater to night owls. Roses by Sal – a Latin American street food joint – is excellent. Come here for Amsterdam’s best tacos, empanadas, ceviche, and killer pisco sours.

The narrow medieval lanes north of Muntplein are a good place to look for an inexpensive meal right in the heart of central Amsterdam. Bhatti Pasal, on Voetboogstraat, serves large portions of Nepalese dishes, including particularly good momos (dumplings).

Just up the lane, on the corner of Spui square, the local branch of the Seafood Bar is great for seafood platters, champagne, and oysters, and has excellent outdoor seating overlooking the square.

Spui square is one of the most popular gathering spots in the Medieval Center. On Sundays, it hosts the Art Plein Spui, an outdoor book and art market.

Adding to the Spui’s literary reputation, the square is home to 2 excellent bookstores. American Book Center is the largest English-language bookshop in town, featuring pretty much any genre.

Nearby, Athenaeum is a large, independent bookstore with an excellent selection of travel guidebooks and books on fashion and design.

The tiny medieval lanes just north of Spui hide numerous atmospheric bars. Café de Dokter is a tiny 18th century pub – Amsterdam’s smallest – decked out with eclectic antiques, and good for a beer or whisky (if you can squeeze in).

Off Kalverstraat lane, the Amsterdam Museum is an entertaining romp through 1,000 years of city history, complete with hands-on exhibits, and dressing up opportunities for kids.

Just east of Spui, the wide Rokin canal is busy with canal cruise boats during the day.

Just west of the hotel, the Allard Pierson Museum houses a superb archaeological collection, from ancient Greek ceramics and an Egyptian mummy to early Mesopotamian artifacts.

Just north of the museum and facing the narrow Grimburgwal canal, the Upstairs Pannenkoekenhuis is arguably the best place in town to try traditional Dutch pancakes (Anthony Bourdain thought so). It’s inside a tiny 16th century house, so reserve ahead.

Directly opposite, you can browse original gold jewelry designs at Hans Appenzeller. Or check out 3D holographic art and jewelry next door.

From here, narrow Nes street, dotted with alternative theatres, runs back to Dam square, passing the hotel en route. There’s a good microbrewery here, too: Bier Fabriek has private tap tables, and rustic dishes to accompany its brews.

Nearer Dam is Van Kerkwijk, just north of the hotel, with its daily changing menu of Moroccan tagines, French dishes, and more.

Nearby, Bubbles & Wines surpasses most Amsterdam bars when it comes to sheer class: it’s a stylish place with dozens of wines and champagnes by the glass, and superb bar snacks to match.

Rokin, the Medieval Center’s main thoroughfare, runs parallel to Nes. Near Spui square, PGC Hajenius is a tobacco emporium that’s worth a peek for its art deco interior. Buy your cigars here, and try them in a private humidor.

At the north end of Rokin (and Nes), Dam square is Central Amsterdam’s busiest square, filled with visitors and buskers, and home to the Nationaal Monument, dedicated to WWII’s fallen.

The big attraction here is the Royal Palace, the official residence of the King of the Netherlands. When the king’s away, you can check out the sumptuous rooms.

Just north of the Royal Palace, the 15th century Nieuwe Kerk is well worth a look for its beautiful oak chancel, and excellent temporary art and photography exhibitions. Check rates and availability: NH Collection Doelen.