Conservatorium Hotel Amsterdam review
Editor's Note
Opened in 2011, the Conservatorium Hotel in Amsterdam is one of the mainstays of the tony Set Collection. Equal parts historical landmark and contemporary hot spot, the hotel draws an international crowd with modernist-chic guest rooms, a bustling all-day brasserie (not to mention a tempting Japanese-inspired cocktail bar) and one of the city's best spas, complete with a sultry subterranean swimming pool.
Here's everything you need to know about a stay at Amsterdam's Conservatorium Hotel.
Quick take
Unlike many of Amsterdam's other luxury hotels dotting the city's tourist- and traffic-jammed inner canals, the Conservatorium Hotel sits apart. It's between the Museumkwartier's grand galleries and the leafy lanes of Vondelpark. Guests get a glimpse of daily city life while remaining close to the Dutch capital's main attractions.
Although it has the trappings of a grand historical building, there are no narrow canal house rooms here. The accommodations are ultra-contemporary and chic, bathed with that famous northern light thanks to huge windows.
The Conservatorium Hotel's public areas, including an art-filled lobby lounge, serve as enticing hangouts for visitors and locals alike. At the same time, its tranquil spa is just the place to unwind with a few laps in the iridescent indoor swimming pool after a day of sightseeing.
Getting there
The hotel is easy to reach (easier than canal-front hotels, for sure) by car or public transport, thanks to its location near Vondelpark.
An Uber from Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS) generally takes about 20 to 30 minutes and costs between 25 and 35 euros ($27-$38). You can also take the N97 bus from the airport to Museumplein for 6.50 euros, which takes about 30-45 minutes. Alternatively, you can catch the train from the airport to the city's central station for 6.90 euros and take a bus or tram from there, but that would be going out of your way.
Various tram lines stop near the hotel, including one just across the street and another by the Concertgebouw concert hall. That said, if you plan to explore the historical city center and enjoy walking, you can get pretty much anywhere on foot.
Booking details
Conservatorium Hotel is part of the Set Collection, a group of about a dozen ultra-luxury hotels in Mexico, Europe and Asia, including the Hotel Lutetia in Paris and Hong Kong's Upper House. It does not participate in any major hotel points programs (though the Set Collection is part of GHA Discovery).
If you have The Platinum Card® from American Express or The Business Platinum Card® from American Express, you can make a reservation via Amex Fine Hotels + Resorts and enjoy value-added benefits. Such benefits include availability-based upgrades, an up to $100 experience credit to use on-property during your stay for things like meals, complimentary daily breakfast for two and guaranteed late checkout.
Likewise, the hotel is part of Capital One's Premier Collection. So, if you have an eligible card like the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card (see rates and fees) or the Capital One Venture X Business (see rates and fees), you can book your stay through Capital One Travel. Not only will you earn 10 miles per dollar on the room rate, but you'll also receive benefits like free daily breakfast for two, up to $100 in on-property experience credits and room upgrades (if available).
Rates at the Conservatorium Hotel start at $835 per night.
Standout features
- It has comfortable and contemporary rooms with expansive bathrooms and inviting lounging areas.
- The excellent location is just removed from Amsterdam's tourist-clogged canals but within walking distance of major museums.
- A bright central atrium and restaurant is ideal for everything from impromptu business meetings over coffee to leisurely meals with friends.
- Though small, the spa proffers treatments using Natura Bisse and Anne Semonin products and has a gorgeous underground pool.
Drawbacks
- Although you can book through a portal like American Express Fine Hotels + Resorts and Capital One's Premier Collection, the hotel is not part of any major points program.
- The room decor is starting to show some signs of age, so a sprucing up might be called for soon.
- Due to the historic nature of the building, those with mobility issues will need to call ahead to make sure they can book one of the two accessible accommodations.
- If you want those postcard-perfect canal views from your hotel, you might want to stay elsewhere.
The vibe
Some historical hotels can feel downright stuffy thanks to fusty decor and an unwavering adherence to the past. Not the Conservatorium, though.
The imposing neo-Gothic brick building dates to 1897; it was constructed as a bank before becoming a music conservatory. (See if you can pick out the fanciful art nouveau tilework depicting a spider spinning a golden web surrounded by bees.)
However, the hotel boasts a massive, multistory, glassed-in central courtyard designed by Italian architect Piero Lissoni with midcentury-skewing leather furniture and artwork-filled glass shelves, as well as a bustling restaurant. These features lend the hotel an unshakable sense of up-to-the-minute cool.
Guests tend to start their day here over coffee and the buffet at Brasserie as they map out their activities. Later on, you'll spot locals meeting friends and colleagues for a cappuccino or a glass of wine.
Spend some time wandering the various stone staircases and the hushed, vaulted guest corridors. Or, do a bit of shopping in one of the upscale stores (including hat and boot boutiques as well as a Bonebakker jewelry shop) lining the mezzanine galleries.
The room
The Grand Junior Suite I was assigned was at one of the building's corners, down a long corridor and up a small set of steps. This secluded location meant I was not disturbed by noise or foot traffic from other guests.
Its windows looked out over both Van Baerlestraat and Paulus Potterstraat, so there was plenty of natural light streaming in through the large original windows. That brightened up the earthy, neutral tones that dominated the palette, including glossy beige-colored paneling and dark wood flooring.
The room was anchored by a slim-profile, king-size leather bed dressed in pressed white linens with a set of four enormous pillows. To either side was a scarlet-topped nightstand and a set of power plugs and USB ports. A pair of dramatic cylindrical hanging lights descended from the ceiling to one side.
Across from the bed, the flat-screen television swiveled on its base so you could view it from the bed. Off to the side, the seating area had two orange leather chairs and a low love seat upholstered in gray fabric, as well as a coffee table. There was a deep leather armchair in the opposite corner with a reading lamp as well.
Beyond the seating area, a large white Saarinen table served as a place to enjoy in-room dining and set up a workspace (with plugs and AV ports on the wall next to it). I especially liked the photo composition by Australian artist Kevin Best inspired by Flemish and Dutch old masters hanging on the wall next to it, especially given the hotel's proximity to the Rijksmuseum.
The minibar was situated across from that, and it had an array of snacks that included Roka Gouda cheese crisps and Raw Bite organic fruit and nut bars. The minifridge below it held bottles of spirits, wine, water and soda.
Behind the bed, running from the front door to the minibar with doors bookending either side, was the huge wardrobe area with space for two guests' suitcases and hanging clothes.
Finally, behind a massive swinging door, the bathroom was positively palatial and tiled in reflective Travertine. It held a freestanding deep soaking tub as well as separate stalls for the toilet and the walk-in shower.
Set along the far wall was one long sink with two faucets and counter space to either side for toiletries. The hotel provisions Etro products, including hand soap, shampoo, conditioner, body wash and moisturizer.
Although the sleek styling of the room was a stark contrast to the building's historical architecture, the two meshed seamlessly. The furniture did bear some scratches and scuffs (after all, the hotel has been open for more than 12 years now), so some light refreshes are probably in order. But overall, the understated but high-end look was an impressive nod to contemporary Dutch style.
Food and drink
The hotel fields a handful of restaurants and bars. Its main eatery is Brasserie, which sits in the atrium adjacent to reception and the lobby lounge. Serving three meals a day, it has black two- and four-tops as well as larger round tables, all surrounded by wooden chairs.
Guests can linger over an extensive breakfast spread that includes fresh-baked pastries and bowls of ripe fruit as well as a surfeit of cold cuts and cheeses. You can order as many hot drinks — such as various teas and espresso beverages — as you like, and servers will offer a choice of fruit juices along with water.
The buffet starts at 38 euros. If you want a hot entree such as avocado toast with poached eggs or an omelet with North Sea shrimp, smoked salmon and roe, expect to pay 52 euros. (This is why it's a good idea to book a rate that includes breakfast.)
Visitors can also order drinks and small plates such as shredded beef bitterballen (11 euros) from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. in the lobby lounge.
Up on the mezzanine level, Taiko serves both a la carte and five- and eight-course tasting menus of contemporary Japanese-inspired cuisine. Courses include sashimi, maki and palate-pleasing plates like lobster gyoza with savory mushroom XO sauce (26 euros) and soy-glazed duck (65 euros) alongside rice sprinkled with edamame and furikake.
If you don't have time for a full meal, pop into the next-door Taiko Bar instead. There, you can enjoy many of the restaurant's smaller dishes along with theatrically presented cocktails like the Smoked Mandarin with Maker's Mark, mandarin orange bitters, tonka bean accents and a grapefruit twist (18 euros).
In-room dining is available 24 hours a day and features many of the same dishes as the menus in Brasserie and the lobby lounge. After I hung a menu on my doorknob the night before, my breakfast arrived promptly at 8 a.m. Additionally, a lunch order of a club sandwich took just 20 minutes and arrived toasty and heaping with fixings alongside a bowl of still-crisp fries.
Amenities and service
A level below the lobby and accessible via elevator, the hotel has a spa and fitness center with various facilities. Looking out onto a small garden, the expansive gym is fitted with LifeFitness cardio and weight machines, as well as stretching equipment and a large area for using free weights. There's also a little yoga studio tucked away near its entrance.
The Akasha Spa is open to guests daily and non-guests Monday through Thursday; it has seven treatment rooms. Treatments incorporate high-end skincare products like Natura Bisse and Anne Semonin and include signature experiences like a 50-minute anti-aging body cocoon and mask (175 euros) and a 60-minute Diamond Luminous facial meant to detox the skin and even out its tone (180 euros).
The hallmark is its serene indoor pool, where guests can do a few laps before lounging on one of the chaises.
Service at the Conservatorium Hotel was just the right mix of congeniality and solicitousness without becoming overbearing. The agents at reception were excited to tell me about the hotel's facilities and offer their help arranging any activities. They also sped through the check-in process so I could get to my room after a long flight. Likewise, the servers at Brasserie and Taiko Bar were on hand anytime my glass was empty — but not hovering.
Out and about
Thanks to its location — which is central but not along the hectic inner canals — the Conservatorium Hotel is a great choice for both first-time and repeat visitors to Amsterdam. It's literally across the street from the Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam, which showcases modern and contemporary art, and it's up the block from the Van Gogh Museum. The Rijksmuseum is a leisurely stroll away, and if you want to catch a classical concert while in town, you can see the Concertgebouw from the hotel's street entrance.
The bohemian De Pijp district is a 15-minute walk away, and the various museums, galleries and cafes along the city's central canals are just 15 to 30 minutes at a not-so-brisk pace. Be sure to take some time one afternoon strolling the garden paths of Vondelpark before heading to Foodhallen to sip local beers and wine (yes, Dutch wine!) as you graze the various international dishes its stalls sling.
Accessibility
Although the main building is over a century old, the Conservatorium Hotel has some accessibility features that should make it welcoming to travelers with various needs.
The hotel's entrance off Paulus Potterstraat is also wheelchair accessible, with no steps to get to the lobby lounge and reception; the hotel's guest rooms, meeting rooms, restaurants and spa are all reachable via elevator.
On the downside, the hotel has just two accessible rooms that are reachable by wheelchair and also provide enough space to maneuver through them (and their restrooms) with a wheelchair. The bathrooms have raised toilets, zero-threshold showers and handlebars near the toilet and shower. If you require one of these rooms, it's best to call the hotel and book directly.
Checking out
Chic rooms and a swinging social scene make the Conservatorium Hotel a top choice for visitors to Amsterdam. Although some decor could use a spruce, the rooms still feel fresh and inviting. The restaurants and bars attract a nice mix of locals and visitors, too, so you're sure to make new friends over drinks. The taff could not be more welcoming.
Although some travelers who want that canal-side setting might see its location as a slight downside, it also makes it a lot easier to get to and from the airport than staying right in the historic core. All the city's sights are still within easy walking distance. In short, the Conservatorium Hotel should be on anyone's shortlist for their next visit to Amsterdam.
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