Double Dutch: Discover Amsterdam's Most Elegant Boutique Hideaways
A fairy tale city of olive-hued waterways, romantic arched bridges, and dainty gabled canal houses, Amsterdam wears its age well, still glimmering with Golden Age grace. Nowhere is this enduring magic more palpable than in these three stays – the city's most captivating expressions of modern luxury and 750 years of history
As Amsterdam marks its 750th birthday, these stand-out stays capture the spirit of a new Dutch Golden Age…
The freshman with top marks
Nothing says Amsterdam collegiate cool like the new Pillows Maurits at the Park. Nestled on the edge of the city's Canal Belt, within the serene green expanse of Oosterpark (Eastern Park in Dutch), this 88-room newcomer feels a world away from the hustle of the city centre, even though it's just a short walk (or tram ride) away. Housed in a former university building, the space has been reworked with sleek, modern sensibilities. Glazed-tiled hallways stretch into grand archways, while thick carpets cushion each step.
At the heart of the hotel is the Living Room, a booklined guest-only hangout space, while the sun-splashed rooftop lounge is the place to be, come summertime. The hotel's airy, bright rooms are quiet luxury personified with handsome panelled walls, contemporary light features, and – if you book the top room, the Pillows Grand Suite – even a grand piano.
Overlooking the treetops on the hotel's theatrical first floor, the lofty VanOost is the property's top-class restaurant, dishing up internationally influenced signatures like well spiced Indonesian langoustine served with pillowy Japanese milk bread and delicate Anjou pigeon, crowned with foie gras and flurries of black truffle. This will be one of the best – if not the very best – dinners you will have in the city. Save space for the epic cheese trolley, largely made of small producer Dutch picks with great backstories (including one cow's milk cheese aged in a WWII bunker). Breakfast of cream-filled croissants and avocado toast is served on the ground floor, at the aptly named Spring, which tumbles directly into the park. pillowshotels.com
The boutique bolthole in Dam Square
A true boutique hotel in every sense, Hotel TwentySeven is part of the prestigious Small Luxury Hotels of the World collection, and it is indeed small, with just 16 spacious suites – and undeniably luxurious – with textured wallpaper, silky draperies, and kingly furnishings. The vibe here is château chic meets goth grandeur, with a seductive, rock'n'roll edge. Metallics feature heavily, and photographic artwork can be kindly described as bonkers. Marble bathrooms are especially opulent, outfitted with deeply relaxing jet tubs, steam showers, and both Lanvin and Lalique products to choose from. Very spoiling.
Besides the dramatic design, it's the location that makes this intimate and private hotel stand out. Hidden in plain sight and tucked away on the upper floors of a townhouse tower on the city's main square, Hotel TwentySeven neighbours the neoclassical Royal Palace, the 15th-century New Church, and the imposing white stone pillar of the National Monument. Make no mistake: This the central, tourist heart of the city (which may be a plus for some and a drawback for others). Other than the ritzy rooms, there's not much to this hideout, but don't miss the awarded restaurant, Bougainville, stationed on the hotel's third floor. While the 14-seat chef's table is the most inspiring with no-expense-spared bites of Irish Mór oysters and buttery Perle Imperial caviar, the hotel's breakfast of à la minute eggs and flaky house-made pastries doesn't disappoint – nothing about this bolthole does. slh.com
The canal-side grande dame
De L'Europe is not just a hotel in Amsterdam, it's the hotel in Amsterdam. Dating back to 1896 and purchased by the Netherlands' famous Heineken family in the 1950s, there's no grander dame in the city. The thrill starts in the canal-front lobby, a study in old-world elegance with museum-quality oil paintings, gilded chandeliers, and oversized florals (tulips feature prominently).
The homespun elegance continues upstairs, where 107 rooms are divided into a cosseting old wing and the of-the moment new't Huys wing of 14 suites, collaboratively designed by some of the city's top tastemakers like Dutch jewellery designer Bibi van der Velden and filmmakers Daan & Bracha of Wolfi Pictures. There's even a Harper's Bazaar suite, curated by the Netherlands edition's Editor in Chief Miluska van't Lam, which feels more like an apartment with framed magazine covers decking the walls, avant-garde sculptures, and a balcony over the boat-filled Amstel Canal. A rarity for Amsterdam, the hotel's dreamy spa has an indoor heated pool, as well as several saunas.
Dining is a pleasure at this landmark property, with several spots to choose from, including the fastidious and formal Restaurant Flore and the French-inflected Brasserie Marie, a buzzy, local favourite overlooking the Munttoren, a 15th-century tower once part of old city wall. A pre-prandial drink on the outdoor waterfront terrace at sundown is a quintessential joy.
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Double Dutch: Discover Amsterdam's Most Elegant Boutique Hideaways
A fairy tale city of olive-hued waterways, romantic arched bridges, and dainty gabled canal houses, Amsterdam wears its age well, still glimmering with Golden Age grace. Nowhere is this enduring magic more palpable than in these three stays – the city's most captivating expressions of modern luxury and 750 years of history As Amsterdam marks its 750th birthday, these stand-out stays capture the spirit of a new Dutch Golden Age… The freshman with top marks Nothing says Amsterdam collegiate cool like the new Pillows Maurits at the Park. Nestled on the edge of the city's Canal Belt, within the serene green expanse of Oosterpark (Eastern Park in Dutch), this 88-room newcomer feels a world away from the hustle of the city centre, even though it's just a short walk (or tram ride) away. Housed in a former university building, the space has been reworked with sleek, modern sensibilities. Glazed-tiled hallways stretch into grand archways, while thick carpets cushion each step. At the heart of the hotel is the Living Room, a booklined guest-only hangout space, while the sun-splashed rooftop lounge is the place to be, come summertime. The hotel's airy, bright rooms are quiet luxury personified with handsome panelled walls, contemporary light features, and – if you book the top room, the Pillows Grand Suite – even a grand piano. Overlooking the treetops on the hotel's theatrical first floor, the lofty VanOost is the property's top-class restaurant, dishing up internationally influenced signatures like well spiced Indonesian langoustine served with pillowy Japanese milk bread and delicate Anjou pigeon, crowned with foie gras and flurries of black truffle. This will be one of the best – if not the very best – dinners you will have in the city. Save space for the epic cheese trolley, largely made of small producer Dutch picks with great backstories (including one cow's milk cheese aged in a WWII bunker). Breakfast of cream-filled croissants and avocado toast is served on the ground floor, at the aptly named Spring, which tumbles directly into the park. The boutique bolthole in Dam Square A true boutique hotel in every sense, Hotel TwentySeven is part of the prestigious Small Luxury Hotels of the World collection, and it is indeed small, with just 16 spacious suites – and undeniably luxurious – with textured wallpaper, silky draperies, and kingly furnishings. The vibe here is château chic meets goth grandeur, with a seductive, rock'n'roll edge. Metallics feature heavily, and photographic artwork can be kindly described as bonkers. Marble bathrooms are especially opulent, outfitted with deeply relaxing jet tubs, steam showers, and both Lanvin and Lalique products to choose from. Very spoiling. Besides the dramatic design, it's the location that makes this intimate and private hotel stand out. Hidden in plain sight and tucked away on the upper floors of a townhouse tower on the city's main square, Hotel TwentySeven neighbours the neoclassical Royal Palace, the 15th-century New Church, and the imposing white stone pillar of the National Monument. Make no mistake: This the central, tourist heart of the city (which may be a plus for some and a drawback for others). Other than the ritzy rooms, there's not much to this hideout, but don't miss the awarded restaurant, Bougainville, stationed on the hotel's third floor. While the 14-seat chef's table is the most inspiring with no-expense-spared bites of Irish Mór oysters and buttery Perle Imperial caviar, the hotel's breakfast of à la minute eggs and flaky house-made pastries doesn't disappoint – nothing about this bolthole does. The canal-side grande dame De L'Europe is not just a hotel in Amsterdam, it's the hotel in Amsterdam. Dating back to 1896 and purchased by the Netherlands' famous Heineken family in the 1950s, there's no grander dame in the city. The thrill starts in the canal-front lobby, a study in old-world elegance with museum-quality oil paintings, gilded chandeliers, and oversized florals (tulips feature prominently). The homespun elegance continues upstairs, where 107 rooms are divided into a cosseting old wing and the of-the moment new't Huys wing of 14 suites, collaboratively designed by some of the city's top tastemakers like Dutch jewellery designer Bibi van der Velden and filmmakers Daan & Bracha of Wolfi Pictures. There's even a Harper's Bazaar suite, curated by the Netherlands edition's Editor in Chief Miluska van't Lam, which feels more like an apartment with framed magazine covers decking the walls, avant-garde sculptures, and a balcony over the boat-filled Amstel Canal. A rarity for Amsterdam, the hotel's dreamy spa has an indoor heated pool, as well as several saunas. Dining is a pleasure at this landmark property, with several spots to choose from, including the fastidious and formal Restaurant Flore and the French-inflected Brasserie Marie, a buzzy, local favourite overlooking the Munttoren, a 15th-century tower once part of old city wall. A pre-prandial drink on the outdoor waterfront terrace at sundown is a quintessential joy.
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He says that with its ease of doing business, Dubai offers unparalleled opportunities for growth and creativity, and D3, in particular, has become a hub for luxury and innovation. 'In Dubai, I have access to a global market of high-net-worth individuals who seek exclusive, personalised creations,' he explained. 'The city's vibrant luxury scene and advanced manufacturing capabilities allow me to experiment with cutting-edge techniques and source the rarest gemstones. This creative freedom, combined with the ability to cater to a diverse, international clientele, is what sets my Dubai operations apart from my roots in Cyprus.' He says that in the Dubai market, his family's bespoke designs, high-value diamond pieces, and rare coloured gemstones, are particularly popular, with clients seeking out exclusivity and personalisation, and valuing pieces that reflect their individual tastes and tell a personal story. But, he admits, Dubai has also played an influential role in his evolving direction and style. 'Cyprus, with its rich history and Mediterranean influences, gave me a deep respect for heritage and the timeless allure of classic design. Dubai, on the other hand, has exposed me to a world of bold, contemporary luxury, pushing the boundaries of innovation and redefining opulence. Together, these influences have shaped my aesthetic, blending the timeless elegance of European artistry with the dynamic energy of the modern Middle East.' Sophie Claudel, director of L'ÉCOLE, School of Jewellery Arts, which already has campuses in Paris, Hong Kong and Shanghai, says that the school's recent expansion to Dubai is 'the natural next step'. 'We felt that Dubai combines a diverse melting pot of cultures, it merges tradition and modernity, and has a deep and strong history with jewellery, so it makes perfect sense for L'ÉCOLE to be here,' she told KT LUXE. The move coincides with last year's founding of The Dubai Business Group for Gold and Jewellery Designers, a Dubai Chamber initiative recognising the city's growing design community and that aims to help develop local talent beyond the city's famous gold and diamond markets, promoting Dubai as a global jewellery design hub. The school, which has classes for children and adults, has seen interest not only from the community but also, being a rare addition to the country's educational landscape, has attracted professionals from the industry, with programmes centred on art history, gemology, and craftsmanship. 'Dubai is in full expansion mode and attracts so many talents from all over the world. It is becoming a significant cultural hub in the region with a growing status as a centre for design and the arts.' She said this is having a major influence on the industry. 'This appreciation is appealing to jewellers from around the world to open their doors and share their craftsmanship and expertise. 'We are witnessing many Maisons recognising this and creating immersive experiences for the community of Dubai, showcasing their exceptional history and unique jewellery creations. For institutions like L'ÉCOLE Middle East, this environment enables meaningful contributions to the regional creative economy and supports the long-term development of the jewellery sector.' We are witnessing many Maisons recognising this and creating immersive experiences for the community of Dubai, showcasing their exceptional history and unique jewellery creations" Sophie Claudel, Director Of L'éCole Italian firm GDM Precious Metal Refining Recovery and Recycling has also recently come to the UAE, becoming the country's first end-to-end recovery and refining plant of precious metals, including gold, silver, platinum, palladium, and copper. Emanuele Esposito, director general of Gold Metal DMCC, said that for the company, there are huge benefits of the expansion. 'Dubai enables a level of integration that's structurally difficult elsewhere. Here, recovery, refining, secure storage, and precious metals trading co-exist within a unified operational framework — streamlined, compliant, and future-ready. 'As a refinery operating across industrial waste disposal, electronic recovery, and investment-grade bullion production, we benefit from the UAE's regulatory clarity and logistical efficiency. We're able to deliver outcomes with speed and precision that would be far more restricted in other jurisdictions.' As a luxury destination and a destination for small business, Dubai offers the perfect second home. 'Dubai is a global benchmark for luxury, trust, and innovation. Our presence here places the company at the heart of a thriving ecosystem, trusted by investors, private clients, and artisans alike,' Esposito said. 'In Italy and across Europe, Dubai is regarded as the epicentre of modern luxury [and] … aligning with Dubai is a strategic move. It communicates that we operate to international benchmarks in a market that values both sustainability and precision. It reinforces our identity not only as a refinery but also as a long-term partner in the global precious metals value chain.'
