Located in the heart of the Jordaan, the cultural centre of Amsterdam, Canal House is a 23 bedroom boutique hotel located on the Keizersgracht and comprised of seventeenth century merchants' houses. With a large garden, Garden House and Summer House for private gatherings, Bar and Great Room, there are plenty of spaces to drink, relax and celebrate.
Centred in 21st century Amsterdam, the design is glamorous, contemporary and comfortable but recalls the rich history of the building and the surrounding area.
HISTORY
In some ways, Canal House itself is typical of the houses built in the 17th Century. As Amsterdam prospered, its citizens began to build lavish residences for themselves. Very often the residences served also as businesses, with the basement and attics being used to store imported goods which were to be sold.
Due to the limited space and desire to maintain a level of equality, the houses were usually not more that 30ft wide (9 metres), and characterised by big, narrow windows and decorative gable tops.
Very narrow stairs maximised space in the buildings, using as little as possible of the floor area. Naturally this made moving and transporting furniture and goods difficult, so pulleys both inside and outside the buildings were used to transport larger objects to the upper floors.
Canal House is still rich with these features – some of which were actively used during its recent restoration.
Canal House is extremely unusual, however, in its scale and size. The Great Room which links the buildings together was designed for impressive entertainment.
The triple width garden, likewise, is an extremely rare feature in Amsterdam. Canal House also has a distinctive horse-shoe shape, enveloping a small house on each side – though this was not intentional: a previous owner installed his mistress in this part of the building which is why it is now missing.
Buildings, numbers 148 and 152 were the home to several merchants and their businesses in the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries, before being turned into a hotel in the 1950s, by an eccentric and flamboyant American hotelier who was an avid collector of Dutch art and knick-knacks which were proudly displayed on walls, shelves and every other flat surface in the buildings in a traditional Dutch fashion.
Many of these have been retained and re-used, providing continuity to the buildings that have stood on this spot for four hundred years.
Outside the entrance, you will see the name of St. Donatus, to whom the buildings were dedicated when they were built. He is the saint who guards against lightning, his cult is also linked with protecting the grape harvest.
Each of the 23 bedrooms is designed with the aim to centre the hotel in 21st Century Amsterdam whilst recalling the influences of Dutch art and history. The hotel has used the light and dark palette of traditional Dutch paintings, the silks and velvets of earlier Dutch traders and, in many bedrooms, the modern version of the traditional porcelain washbowl and washstand.
All the surviving original features such as timber beams and ornate ceilings and fireplaces have been retained and restored.
Great Rooms are larger rooms with a king size bed (or twins available on request) and views extending onto the canal, garden or onto an internal lightwell.
All Canal House amenities can be found throughout – coffee & tea facilities, LCD screen, Bose iPod docking station, Blu-ray player, complimentary WIFI, and a generous mini bar with locally sourced food and drink.
Many with period features and all with unique layouts, no two Great Rooms are alike.
Bedrooms are given further individuality with unique artwork and bathing is made pleasurable with double sinks, bathtubs with showers and full size Green & Spring bath and body products.
Better Rooms have a king size bed and look onto an internal lightwell ensuring total privacy.
With open plan bathtubs with shower overhead, Better rooms are given a sense of space whilst remaining warm and inviting with occasional seating and textural elements – a leather headboard, velvet curtains, silk wallpaper and unique artwork throughout.
Full amenities are on offer with coffee & tea facilities, LCD screen, Bose iPod docking station, Blu-ray player, complimentary WIFI, Green & Spring bath and body products and a generous mini bar full of locally sourced treats, ensuring a comfortable and enjoyable stay.
Good Rooms have a king size bed (or twins available on request ) and views onto the garden.
Smallest rooms come with full amenities – coffee & tea facilities, LCD screen, Bose iPod docking station, Blu-ray player, complimentary WIFI, full size Green & Spring bath and body products and a generous mini bar full of locally sourced treats.
Good Rooms have either a walk-in shower or a bathtub with shower overhead.
All have unique artwork and trademark Canal House decor with a leather headboard, silk wallpaper and plush velvet curtains.
Exceptional Rooms have a king size bed and offer lovely views over the canal or garden.
Of a generous size and many with original period features, Exceptional Rooms offer a sense of space and place.
Large bathrooms have double sinks, bathtubs, and some, separate showers.
Sofas and occasional seating add comfort to the glamorous decor of bespoke ebony stained furniture, silk wallpaper, and heavy velvet curtains.
All amenities are present – coffee & tea facilities, LCD screen, Bose iPod docking station, Blu-ray player, complimentary WIFI, Green & Spring bath and body products, and a generous mini bar - ensuring a comfortable and pleasurable stay.
Two Outstanding Rooms have king size beds and stunning views over the Keizersgracht canal.
Amenities include coffee & tea facilities, LCD screen, Bose iPod docking station, Blu-ray player, complimentary WIFI, Green & Spring bath and body products, and a generous mini bar - ensuring a fun and comfortable stay.
Original period features, contrast beautifully against modern amenities and generous space.
Open plan bathing includes a bath tub, large walk-in shower and double sinks.
Best Room occupies the top floor and offers sweeping views over the Keizersgracht canal.
A lounge with sofas, casual seating and a large LCD screen, offers a place to relax or entertain.
Bathing is made fun with a bathtub big enough for two and a seamless glass shower adjacent to the sleeping area.
A sense of generosity is felt throughout with a dressing table, further seating and an LCD screen in the bedroom, making it another space to gather or slip away.
Coffee & tea facilities, a Bose iPod docking station, Blu-ray player, complimentary Wi-Fi, Green & Spring bath and body products and a mini bar complete the experience.
Items from the breakfast table are included with your stay and include a selection of fresh fruit juice, tea, coffee, cereal, pastries, fruit salad, yoghurt and local meats and cheeses.
A cooked breakfast menu is also available at additional charge.
Throughout the day, there is a snack menu to accompany a selection of warm drinks, wine, draught beer and classic cocktails in the Great Room and Bar.
Local
At the front of the hotel, the Bar overlooks the Keizersgracht canal. Open day and night with a selection of wine, draught beer and classic cocktails.
It is a place to relax and read the papers or meet and enjoy the company of friends.
The Anne Frank House is a writer's house and biographical museum dedicated to Jewish wartime diarist Anne Frank.
Bike Tour Amsterdam offers guided bike tours every single day. A City Riding your bike through the streets of Amsterdam is by far the best way of enjoying the city.
A cruise on Amsterdam's canals is a must for any first-time visitor. By doing this early in your trip you will get a great perspective of the city.
Interactive tour through beer giant's history in former brewery, with a tasting room finale.
Located in quiet garden, the Garden House can accommodate meetings for up to 10 people and is available all year round.
It is the oldest zoo in the Netherlands and one of the oldest zoos of mainland Europe. Artis Royal Zoo is not just a zoo, it also contains an aquarium and a planetarium.
The 800-year-old Oude Kerk is Amsterdam’s oldest building and oldest parish church, founded ca. 1213 and consecrated in 1306 by the bishop of Utrecht with Saint Nicolas as its patron saint.
The Rijksmuseum is a Dutch national museum dedicated to arts and history in Amsterdam.
The Garden is a great place to relax and meet friends, a haven from the bustle of the city. There are plenty of nooks and crannies to enjoy sitting outside on a summer's day.
The Great Room overlooks the Garden with wonderfully high ceilings and ornate monumental features. With comfy armchairs to relax in and plenty of tables to gather around.
Adjacent to the Garden House, the Summer House is available thoughout the spring and summer months.
The Van Gogh Museum is an art museum dedicated to the works of Vincent van Gogh.
Amsterdam's most famous park was designed and built in 1850 and today is a popular place for tourists and residents who can enjoy a variety of outdoor activities such as biking, hiking, jogging and picnicking.
CANAL HOUSE
Keizersgracht 1481015 CX AmsterdamNetherlands