Top 20 Cool and Unusual Hotels in Amsterdam 2023

Overflowing with subcultures and creative types and a place where tolerance and liberal attitudes are embraced by all, many a visitor is drawn to this hip city with the promise of buzzing nightlife, interesting cafes, and picturesque canals.

Amsterdam’s fondness for the unusual and the original is also an obvious theme in many of the excellent hotels which call this city home, to help you choose, here is a collection of cool, quirky and unique hotels in Amsterdam guaranteed to inject some serious fun and style into your European city break (in no particular order, they’ve all got the wow-factor)…

1. nHow Hotel – one of the most Instagrammable hotels in Amsterdam perfect for partying Millennials and Gen Zs 

nHow Hotel Amsterdam is a new social and multicultural hub where they’ve mixed contemporary art, design, gastronomy, and cultural expressions. With 24 floors and 650 rooms, all with floor-to-ceiling windows offering stunning views of Amsterdam, and a gourmet restaurant on the 17th floor, it makes complete sense.

However, designed by leading architect Reinier de Graaf, the gorgeously decorated hotel is sure to be loved by tourists and Amsterdam locals alike.

The creative Amsterdam hotel has six different room designs, each inspired by the six cardinal directions of the hotel: North, East, South, South West, South East, and North West. The designs have influence from all over the world, making each room filled with inspiration and creativity.

Benefit further from the added amenities that can be found in the hip hotel such as bike hire to tour the city like a local, three pocket gyms, and a Nespresso machine in each room.

• To check prices or availability for the nHow Amsterdam

2. Hotel Not Hotel – an ultrahip, art-filled boutique hotel with wow-inducing quirky touches

A mid-priced hotel which is everything but run-of-the-mill. In fact, the exceptionally rated Hotel Not Hotel is probably one the most playful hotels in Amsterdam, which given the competition is quite an accolade!

Located in an increasingly trendy area in Amsterdam-West (1 km from the 19th-century Vondelpark and 3 km from Anne Frank’s House), here guests can eschew boring rooms and stay in ‘cottages’ designed and decorated by up-and-coming young artists instead.

Choose from an ultra-cute gingerbread house, an antique Dutch tram carriage, a Thailand Tuk Tuk, a Spanish-inspired villa, a study tucked behind a secret door in the library or even a 2-D printed cottage complete with 2-D TV and chairs, yes seriously…

• To book, check prices or availability for Hotel Not Hotel

3. Hotel Arena – a beautiful and unique boutique hotel which mixes nostalgia with modern touches

This wonderful unique 4-star hotel enjoys a prestigious location in the popular neighbourhood of Amsterdam East, just around the corner of the city centre and with the green and leafy Oosterpark at its feet. It also has an intriguing past.

Over the years this elegant, redbrick early 20th-century building once housed orphans, then elderly adults, and eventually young hostellers.

Now respectfully renovated by a group of acclaimed designers, the end result at the highly-rated Hotel Arena is a unique and fabulous combination of contemporary Dutch design juxtaposed with historical character features.

Light wooden floors, high ceilings, whitewashed walls, and a clever use of space are the hallmark of every guest room and the glossy bathrooms are no less unique with open showers and larger than average bathtubs which are usually made into a beautiful room feature.

Also make sure you pay a visit to their original restored onsite chapel which is adorned with wow-inducing stained glass windows.

• To check prices or availability for Hotel Arena Amsterdam

4. Outside Inn – a cute, fun, quirky and sociable hotel offering a very unique experience! 

Indoor camping is a unique idea that is typical of the playful yet practical spirit of the Dutch, and it translates into a really cool hotel concept.

Outside Inn Amsterdam takes all the fun and camaraderie of camping and puts it inside a reclaimed and restored industrial building in a quiet setting, just minutes from the city center by train.

Cute retro caravans have been carefully and lovingly decorated by the owners, have touches like underfloor heating, city and pool views, and very comfortable beds for an unforgettable stay.

Or choose to stay in a cheery indoor beach hut, with a tropical theme. The shared bathrooms are well organized and there is a lounge, terrace, and self-service bar. Breakfast is served every morning and you can walk to nearby restaurants.

• To book, check prices or availability for Outside Inn Amsterdam

5. Volkshotel Amsterdam – a fun and very creative design hotel with plenty of artistic touches

If you appreciate things that are a bit quirky and different you absolutely must stay at the exceptionally rated Volkshotel.

The fun Amsterdam abode is located in the trendy De Pijp neighbourhood in Amsterdam East, just four stops on the metro from Centraal Station.

Housed in the old newspaper offices, the outside is nothing that special…with a brutal 1960’s modernist look…but inside it features fabulous quirky and individually designed rooms with lashings of fun thrown in.

A hotel that oozes creativity and a wicked design, so much that you won’t want to leave! 

• To check prices or availability for the Volkshotel Amsterdam

6. Hotel Zaandam – a top-rated hotel with a truly incredible exterior

Part of the popular Inntel group, Hotel Zaandam is a 4-star and exceptionally rated design hotel located in a town very close to the capital (only a 12-minute train ride to Amsterdam Central Station).

Interiors at the unique Amsterdam hotel have been carefully planned with a blend of contemporary industrial-design and classic vintage details.

The trendy Amsterdam hotel also offers a relaxing wellness centre, a large swimming pool, and an informal restaurant that specializes in serving only the purest locally sourced ingredients. The hotel’s exterior – although – is arguably the biggest draw.

The colossal cartoon-esque structure gives the impression of traditional Dutch houses randomly stacked upon one another and cannot help but make a very bold statement indeed!

• To check prices or availability for Hotel Zaandam Amsterdam

7. Hotel De Hallen – a trendy and unique high-concept hotel located in a former train depot

A former 1902 tram depot from turned modern industrial design hotel, the wonderful and exceptionally rated 4-star Hotel De Hallen (located in Amsterdam’s Oud-West section, only a short distance from the upscale shopping and dining of the Jordaan district), is now one of Amsterdam’s finest industrial heritage sites.

Renowned architect Andre van Stigt painstakingly restored the listed building to its former glory keeping the original glass ceiling, exposed brickwork, metal walkways and concrete flooring and then decorating it with an eclectic mishmash of quirky details.

The result is a very trendy contemporary design hotel in a post-industrial setting.

Located in a hip and up-and-coming part of town, the trendsetting Amsterdam accommodation also part of the 2,700-square-metre complex which handily features a library, cinema, boutique shops and an even indoor food market, all on the hotel’s doorstep.

• To check prices or availability for Hotel De Hallen Amsterdam

8. YOTEL Amsterdam – a fun, funky and cool hotel perfect for partying Millenials and Gen Zs 

The trendy and affordable YOTEL Amsterdam is located in Amsterdam Noord, on the Tolhuis Canal. The hip neighbourhood is full of tech start-ups, bars and restaurants, and you’re just a step away from the free ferry that takes you to the city centre.

The very livable public spaces include a canalside terrace with loungers to enjoy the view, and a 24/7 gym. You’ll find all-day dining starting with breakfast at Komyuniti restaurant and bar, which also serves Dutch favourites like the ‘Kroket’ sandwich and bitterballen. 

The room design is minimalist and fully functional, with work desks, multiple USB ports and the signature YOTEL fully-adjustable SmartBed. Some rooms are equipped for longer stays with a kitchenette, dishwasher and fridge.

• To book, check prices or availability for Yotel Amsterdam

9. Hotel V Frederiksplein – a hip design hotel with a cool retro-chic vibe housed in a redbrick townhouse

Handily located within a short walking distance of both the trendy De Pijp district and the Heineken Brewery (and only a 10 minute to Amsterdam’s main museums), the funky, stylish and highly rated Hotel V caters to a hip, individual crowd.

The V concept combines a unique style design with a welcoming atmosphere, exceptional customer service and good value too – not a bad mix at all!

Rooms and loft apartments are designed to a boutique standard and the newly renovated lobby has an exclusive club lounge feel – this is where you’ll find soulful music, a roaring fire and inviting vintage-style leather sofas where you can slouch around for hours.

That’s not forgetting the inviting candle-lit reception and the cool late-night bar where you can mingle with the beautiful people. A boutique Amsterdam hotel which is a perfect option for a non-traditional, yet unpretentious stay.

• To book, check prices or availability for Hotel V Amsterdam

10. The Unbound – for a very unique and different place to stay perfect for a romantic break or a family eco-retreat

This unique 4-star hotel is set up as a kind of eco-retreat in Amsterdam West amid 11 acres of green gardens reclaimed from city wasteland, with vegetable patches, orchards and a pond.

The cabins and suites are scattered around the estate, and the main building has a restaurant, bar and shop.

The Unbound Amsterdam reflects Dutch architecture, with buildings on stilts and interiors full of natural light. Amenities include private hot tubs, outdoor pizza ovens, sun decks, and wood stoves.

The interiors are full of natural light and bespoke furnishings like special duvets, plaid throws and spa necessities.

There’s a spa barn, a restaurant that will also deliver to the cabins via room service, and The Lobby where you can get drinks and snacks.

Canoe and bike rentals are available so you can explore the surroundings at your own pace, and the city centre and airport are just a short drive away.

• To book, check prices or availability for The Unbound Amsterdam

11. Moxy Amsterdam Houthavens – a new fun, funky hotel with a youthful playful vibe

Cheerful, quirky and full of comfort, this trendy hotel in Houthavens is close to downtown and all the hip start-ups, design studios and eateries.

You can stroll or bike around Amsterdam’s working harbour district, work or socialize in the social spaces at the hotel, enjoy a French dinner at Lars Amsterdam, chill at the 24/7 Moxy bar and indulge yourself at the spa and sauna.

The industrial chic rooms have bright touches of colour and floor-to-ceiling windows. If you book a harborside Lookout room you get a stunning up-close view of the immense ships moving past slowly. 

There’s a fitness centre, swimming pool and convenience store on site, and bike rentals are available, so you’re all set whether it’s for a brief stopover or a long stay.

• To book, check prices or availability for Moxy Amsterdam Houthavens

12. The Exchange Hotel – an ultra-creative stylish boutique hotel with extraordinary artistic interiors

Located in the heart of Amsterdam, within a short 5-minute stroll of  Dam Square and New Church this is a playful independent fashion hotel where rooms are literally “dressed up like models.”

This quirky Amsterdam hotel offers an unconventional high design that occasionally verges into fantastical territory! Rooms at the highly-rated Exchange Hotel range from “one-star” to “five-star” and each one has been individually designed by graduates of the Amsterdam Fashion Institute.

All showcase a decor you’re very unlikely to see anywhere else – in one room the bed is surrounded by an imitation 17th-century ruff and another is entirely lined with a gigantic 1980s-style knitted jumper (complete with zipper over the window)!

Also, expect modern facilities like a flat-screen satellite TV and contemporary ensuite bathrooms. Just fabulous darling!

• To book, check prices or availability for Exchange Hotel Amsterdam

13. Qbic Hotel Amsterdam – a unique and cool design hotel located inside the World Trade Centre

Qbic Hotel offers innovative budget accommodation for the traveller who likes to be a little different.

Located in the buzzing financial hub of Amsterdam only a few steps away from the World Trade Center and was very close to the station, this made it very easy to get into the centre of Amsterdam via a quick train ride, this quirky place combines eco-efficiency and a very unique design.

Guests at this highly-rated funky Amsterdam hotel have the chance of staying in their very own very cool ‘Cubi’ which features an extra-long Hastens bed, an LCD television, a designer bathroom, and even a canny work-and-dine station for those who like to work on the move.

Clever innovation is a theme that follows throughout the hotel – in each room, you can change the colour of the lights to create different moods and the futuristic lobby comes complete with a touchscreen digital kiosk that provides information on all kinds of local visitor information, cute touches indeed!

• To check prices or availability for Qbic Hotel Amsterdam

14. Jaz Hotel – Amsterdam’s trendy music-themed hotel located across from the Ziggo Dome live music venue

Have a penchant for music, style and good design? Well if so, the exceptionally rated Hotel Jaz might just be the unique Amsterdam hotel for you.

Hip and stylish and claiming to ‘pulse with the sounds of the city,’ Jaz has 247 acoustically tuned guest rooms with audiophile-approved sound systems and 11 offbeat suites offering private balconies and fabulous city views.

After a hard day’s music-making (or sightseeing) you can relax in the panoramic wellness centre or step it up a gear again and get your groove to watch pop-up performances in their bustling bar.

Alternatively, enjoy a private dinner in the ‘super trouper’ area or watch a live DJ performance at the beatbox.

It also enjoys a fabulous music-worthy location – it’s no coincidence that the Ziggo Dome and AFAS Live concert hall, are just around the corner (and thanks to excellent public transport links, you’ll be in Amsterdam’s city centre in just ten minutes).

• To check prices or availability for Jaz Hotel Amsterdam

15. Amstel Botel – a unique but relaxed floating hotel docked on the banks of the IJ

Not one for all you landlubbers out there, the highly-rated Amstel Botel is just what it says on the tin – a modern 3-star hotel/boat hybrid moored on a lively spot on the riverbank and connected by a free ferry service to the centre of the city.

The hip floating hotel lives in the historical NDSM-Werf, a derelict shipyard turned edgy arts community located 15 minutes upriver from the city centre.

Aboard this unusual Amsterdam hotel, you’ll find simply-furnished rooms with private bathrooms and views of either the land or the River IJ.

Take a beer out onto the boat deck, while away an hour or two in the games room, hang out with young creatives in the surrounding cool cafes or take the 10-minute free ferry service to Amsterdam’s Central Station and explore all the main city sights – a fun choice for a unique and different city stay!

• To book, check prices or availability for Amstel Botel Amsterdam

16. Ruby Emma Hotel Amsterdam – this popular new design hotel with bright, trendy decor is already one of the best places to stay in the city

The Ruby Emma Hotel Amsterdam is all about sustainability, from the building’s smart facade that helps to regulate indoor temperatures to the aromatherapy Ruby Care products you’ll find in the bathrooms.

The location near the Amstel River is just a ten-minute train ride away from the busy city centre, or you may prefer to explore the idyllic rural world of the historic Ouderkerk aan de Amstel village nearby.

Incredibly well-designed rooms in shades of beige and gold have natural light pouring in through floor-to-ceiling windows plus all the latest tech, comfy beds and stylish seating areas.

Breakfast is served every morning and there’s a cosy bar showcasing alternative energy and sustainable and upcycled furniture where you can relax and hang out with friends old and new.

• To book, check prices or availability for Ruby Emma Hotel Amsterdam

18. The Social Hub Amsterdam City – a new trendy new concept in hybrid hospitality perfect for Millenials and Gen Z’s

A canny hybrid of modern student digs, a normal hotel, and studio apartments for longer stays, the much loved and highly rated Student Hotel City Centre is a great choice for hip budget travellers looking for a trendy accommodation option.

Located in a central location just a short stroll from all the major hotspots, savvy designers have breathed life into a former grey office block with colourful street art murals, uplifting banners, and retro-style furniture.

One wing has student accommodation and the other is home to more luxurious accommodation for non-student guests.

Opt for a stay at this unique Amsterdam hotel and you’ll be mingling with an eclectic mix of students, young business folk, academics, families, and travellers in a lively, hip yet still relaxed atmosphere – genius!

• To check prices or availability for Student Hotel City Centre

19. Morgan and Mees – a romantic, intimate and charming polished boutique hotel

Based in the historic Amsterdam West and housed in a beautifully resorted building, the 4-star exceptionally rated Morgan and Mees is a lesson in class and elegance, with a modern flair.

The decor at this Amsterdam boutique hotel is unique and contemporary and features bi-level rooms with free Wi-Fi, smart TVs and loft bedrooms.

Other cool hotel highlights include an excellent menu of locally sourced food, a sophisticated restaurant with a chic terrace, an unrivalled cocktail menu and exceptional customer service.

With a great location a 2-minute walk from the nearest tram stop and a short stroll to the Anne Frank House museum, if this trendy Amsterdam abode was a Tinder date it would definitely be considered a great catch!

• To check prices or availability for Morgan and Mees Hotel

20. The Andaz – sleek, sexy and ultra-stylish contemporary hotel located along Prinsengracht canal

The Andaz is a highly respected luxury hotel chain brings its own brand of cool to the Dutch capital.

With more than a nod to Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland, the five-star boutique hotel is decked out with weird and wonderful fantasy-inspired decor featuring eye-popping colour and imaginative artwork – expect tulip-shaped chairs, giant bells hanging from the ceiling and table legs that look like giant chess pieces.

Located between two major canals in the centre of Amsterdam (only 1.3 km from Dam Square), this unique and chic Amsterdam hotel offers more than just great design – also expect impeccable service, a gorgeous peaceful garden, a luxury spa you’ll want to spend hours in and delicious dining in a restaurant which specialises in locally sourced ingredients.

• To check prices or availability for The Andaz Amsterdam

21. Fletcher Hotel – a unique, modern and striking Amsterdam hotel offering incredible views

You won’t ever need to worry about missing the 4-star highly rated Hotel Fletcher as the huge towering glass facade comprising of small round screens is most definitely an eye-catcher.

Located southeast of the city centre (the hotel provides a shuttle in Amsterdam centre for €5 a person), inside the design is no less striking, with contemporary bedrooms featuring round windows, round bathrooms and artistic details which all add to the uniqueness of this extraordinary hotel.

Renowned Architects Benthem Crouwel were the brains behind the venture and the finished result is something really very special – if you drive past this hip Amsterdam hotel at night you’ll even see the whole place radiating a dazzling blue light!

Make sure you don’t leave without either grabbing a breakfast or lunch in the SKY Lounge Pi or the panoramic SKY Restaurant Pi for unbeatable views of Amsterdam’s skyline – a hotel that cannot fail to impress!

• To check prices or availability for Hotel Fletcher Amsterdam