My trip to the Netherlands started out at Hotel van Oranje in Noordwijk. Most tourists go directly to Amsterdam but I wanted to experience the ocean side of the country.
The ocean front hotel is a resort in itself. From the casual lounge area to fine dining everything you could ask for on property. Starting my day with a walk on the beach was perfect.
With 5 restaurants on site, there was a variety of choices. I enjoyed an amazing dinner at Dutch. The energy of this restaurant is eclectic, chic and welcoming.The menu is designed to have the freshest ingredients of the season. I wasn’t sure what to order so I asked the Maitre’D for a recommendation. I love doing this in other countries. I was not disappointed. I started with a small scallop dish, followed by an entrée of deer, roasted vegetables accented by pumpkin puree. He paired it nicely with a Malbec wine. I was too full for dessert but the choices sounded amazing.
Hotel van Oranje had a relaxed yet attentive atmosphere. It was the perfect stay to enjoy the ocean and experience Dutch customs.
I then made my The Hague. There is a great debate by locals if The Hague is a village or a city; the verdict is still out depending on who you ask. I found it very charming. It’s storied history was intriguing and to be able to visit the buildings of Parliament was an honor. They are still active and used today. The police that patrol the buildings were diligent but engaged with the children and locals. I was told by my guide that they want citizens to feel a part of the government.
A great lunch spot is Vox. We opted to enjoy several items off the menu family style. This is a great way to try a variety of dishes.
The majority of the village is walkable; however, in true Dutch fashion people rode their bikes.
We ended our day with a gin tasting at Van Kleef. It’s the oldest gin distillery in the Netherlands. It was so much fun. The owner was a hoot. There was a large group so we had a private room in the back. The whole vibe was amazing. By the end of the tasting she was teasing me like we had known each other all our lives. I never knew there were so many flavors of gin. My favorites were butterscotch and chocolate (I combined them) as well as vanilla and walnut (also a good combo). I definitely recommend a visit to Van Kleef. They will happily ship any purchases you like home for you.
That ended my stay on the outskirts of Amsterdam. Next stop city center!
The first hotel I stayed at was the W Amsterdam. There are actually two W’s across the street from each other. One used to be a Bank, while the other used to be an Exchange. Both are unique in their own right with signature cool, modern, hip W vibe. The old bank vault had been turned into the Spa with treatment rooms. I loved the way they converted the buildings but still kept key components.
It was arranged for me to have a cheese tasting at Reypenaer. While there are other places throughout Amsterdam to do this; Reypenaer was charming. There are small groups and it lasts approximately one hour. You taste 6 different cheeses which are paired with a proper wine. You also learn what best to serve the cheese with, how long to take it out of the refrigerator before serving and other helpful information. Honestly, I only liked one of the cheeses; the old goat cheese but it so fun I didn’t care. You actually receive a signed certificate at the end and you are officially a certified cheese taster!
I strolled the city, falling in love with the canals. I decided I want to move to Amsterdam and buy an apartment overlooking the canals. I’m sure everyone says that. I did really like the fact that everyone is always outdoors. It seems like a very healthy city with people riding their bicycles more than driving;even in the cold! I found the city very manageable and adapted quickly to my surroundings.
I still had days of sight-seeing. I went to the red-light district (I mean I had to while in Amsterdam) which wasn’t as bad as I though. Maybe because it was a Sunday afternoon. Then I went to the 9thstreet shops, flower market, saw more canals and then went to the Jordan area which a friend recommended. It’s off the beaten path of the tourist and a really quaint area. I stumbled upon a great restaurant; La Oliva.
In all honestly, as I was walking around, I was freezing my butt off. It was November after all. I passed this restaurant and saw the people inside eating these huge bowls of soup. It looked delicious and I was hungry and cold so I went in. It was relaxed with an organic feel but not earthy crunchy organic. I sat in the back and just enjoyed my surroundings. I ordered the soup of course and a pintxos which is a piece of Italian bread with goat cheese, portobello mushroom with garlic truffle oil. It was outstanding! I highly recommend walking around your location and seeing what you discover. It’s great to have a plan but let yourself be surprised as well.
Next stop was Hotel DeL’Europe. My suite was enormous and beautiful. It was the old traditional décor with an amazing view of the city and canal. It was “romantic red” as the concierge described it. It had a full living room, dining area, work area, sitting area, half bath and then a separate bedroom with a bathroom with a soaking tub, shower stall and double sink. There were also 4 terraces with outdoor seating. The entire living room/dining area was a wall of glass with beautiful views.
The story of the hotel goes; Freddy Heineken bought it for his wife in 1980 for their private guests. Yes, that Freddy Heineken; as in Heineken beer. Then they turned it into a hotel. Sadly, Freddy died. His daughter, who runs the company,still goes hosts business meetings there as well as corporate guests.
There is the traditional side of the hotel which is old world décor as well as a modern side to the hotel which house 23 rooms. This allows the hotel to appeal to a variety of people who have different taste and desires in their room décor.
I enjoyed an incredible lunch at Hoofdstad Brasserie. I enjoyed steak tar tar prepared tableside for my colleagues. The food was delicious and the view overlooking the canal was charming. Regardless of your location in the hotel,the views are spectacular. The majority are overlooking the canal as the hotel is situated over it. While the other views of the city are gorgeous. I was privileged to have a specially arranged tour of the hotels 9,000 bottle wine cellar. It was very cool. I also held one bottle of wine that cost $20,000 euro– can you imagine!!!
My last stop in Amsterdam was at the Conservatorium Hotel. I had no idea but I definitely saved the best for last. This hotel is the most luxurious hotel in Amsterdam.
The hotel was one of the nicest hotels I have stayed. The hotel is a mix of traditional and modern. The building is traditional but the rooms are modern and stylish with a great use of space. The lobby is open yet cozy and always bustling with activity. I got a great deal of work accomplished in the lobby and enjoyed being around others while still feeling secluded. The music they played in the lobby made me happy too!
My suite was equipped with a beautiful desk which I could have worked from all day. Okay, now let’s talk about my room. I could seriously live in it as a studio apartment. It’s huge. Honestly, I really love this hotel. I’m on the 8th floor and the structure of the building is such that my windows are circular in the bathroom. In the bedroom/living room they look like church windows with the arch on the top. In keeping the structure of the original building, they also kept the exposed wood beams which are amazing.
The Conservatorium is a short distance away from city center but one block from Vondlepark, high end shopping and Rijksmuseum as well as many other museums.
The level of service at the Conservatorium hotel is something you can only dream of. It has a very large gym with staff and personal trainers available upon request. The spa is glorious with a relaxation area right next to the indoor pool. There is a variety of services.
When I returned to my room after my deep tissue massage, there waiting for me was a tray with coffee/blueberry shake and chia pudding. The presentation was outstanding. They looked too good to eat!
I enjoyed a delicious dinner at the hotel’s restaurant Taiko. The restaurant is named after ancient Japanese drums said to beat with a mythic rhythm. It is Asian inspired menu. I was lucky enough to have the Chef prepare a tasting menu for us. Each dish was better than the last. The flavors and texture mixed together for a flavorful explosion. Each course was paired with a perfectly complimentary wine. Even dessert was served with a Sake. The vibe in the restaurant only enhanced the experience. It was calm, cozy and relaxed.
This was the perfect way to end my stay in Amsterdam. I cannot recommend this hotel enough. I felt like I was treated like a queen during my stay.
I try and absorb the local culture when traveling. The things I learned and loved about the Netherlands is how relaxed everyone is. I was never rushed at restaurants, in stores or when sightseeing. They enjoy what they are doing and want others to do the same. Piggybacking on that enjoyment, I learned to be fancy! Even if it was something as small as grabbing a coffee, it was done with intent and ceremony. I will be bringing these gems of knowledge home with me and implementing them into my everyday life with glee!
While my time in Amsterdam was choc full of adventure, I didn’t get to mention all the sites I visited in detail. Below is the nitty gritty of things I would recommend for anyone traveling to the Netherlands in addition to all I’ve just mentioned.
Sites to see:
*A trip to Delft: Delft enjoys a world wide reputation due to its connection with Johannes Vermeer, Delft Blue earthenware and the Royal House. Relive its glorious past as you wander along canals,churches, mansions and courtyards. This university town also offers canal tours, museums, markets and many pubs.
*The Nine Streets neighborhood is comprised of the area around these three main canals: Herengracht, Keizersgracht, and Prinsengracht. There you will find trendy,cute shops and restaurants.
*Take a boat cruise through the canals. The canals are a focal point in Amsterdam. To fully appreciate their beauty, a boat cruise is a must.
*The Anne Frank House. A must when visiting Amsterdam. It’s a museum located in the actual home that Anne Frank was hiding in during World War II and where she wrote in her diary that became The Diary of a Young Girl. Travel tip: book your tickets on line before you arrive in Amsterdam.
*The Heineken Experience. You learn how Heineken beer is made, it’s history and a chance to buy souvenirs.
*Freddie’s Bar at Hotel DeL’Europe. This bar is named after Mr. Heineken himself. It is a favorite of locals. Each day at 6 pm (except on Mondays); 10 scientifically designed burgers are served. They are designed with the perfect combination of meat, pickles and other local ingredients for the ultimate in flavor. They are only first come first serve. After the 10 are served, you are out of luck until the next day.
*Dam Square: Dam Square is one of the most popular spots in Amsterdam. Its name came from the dam that was built over the Amstelin river in this location. The Royal Palace is also located in Dam Square.
*A trip to Haarlem: Haarlem is a 15 minute train ride from Amsterdam. With an abundance of historical sights, cultural attractions and hidden gems crammed into a relatively small city, Haarlem truly is a sightseers’ paradise. There’s plenty to see and because of its size, easy to get around on foot or bicycle.
