Destination

welcome to Amsterdam

It is our pleasure to welcome you to InterContinental Amstel Amsterdam. The concierge team is truly delighted to look after you during your stay with us, and we are more than pleased to assist you in any way.

InterContinental Amstel Amsterdam has been the most prestigious hotel in the country for over 150 years. Our beautiful terraces during the summer months are a real treat, while throughout the year our exclusive river boats outside the hotel enable our guests to tour the city’s historical canals. We happily take care of all reservations to be made, inside the hotel and all over the city.

Concierge team, Amstel Hotel

local essentials - the perfect day

Morning
Whether you are a first-time visitor or seasoned traveller, a boat trip with one of our authentic notary boats along the canals in the morning is an unbeatable experience. One of the boat captains will meet you in the hotel lobby, taking you down to our own quay where the boats are moored. The skipper will show you Amsterdam’s most beautiful canals, cruising past the many glorious old houses, warehouses and mansion, passing under the countless small bridges that span the waterways. You can even be dropped off at the Rijksmuseum.

Afternoon
A table with spectacular views over the Amstel River will be waiting for you at our Amstel Restaurant. After lunch, you can walk along the canals to the Hermitage Amsterdam Museum or the Rembrandt House Museum. We suggest you finish your afternoon with a walk along the ‘Spiegelkwartier’ antiques district, a charming area situated between the Hermitage and the Rijksmuseum, or do some shopping in the ‘Nine Streets’ area, where you can find all the boutique shops. After this, return to the hotel for our famous Amstel Afternoon Tea.

Evening
To round off a perfect day in Amsterdam, we recommend a visit to the Koninklijk Concertgebouw (Royal Concert Hall), or to the Royal Theater Carré. Start off the evening with a full dining experience at our Amstel restaurant, or enjoy tasteful bites and fancy cocktails at our Amstel Bar until long after the show.

insider tips

Bicycles
Bicycles are the fastest, most fun and eco-friendly way of exploring the city. You can rent a bike at our concierge desk. However, as a pedestrian, you often don’t hear them approaching. Before crossing the road, always take a careful look to your left and right!

Taxi service
We highly recommend using TCA or MTA taxis, which we also happily contact to arrange transfers for you. The drivers can pick you up from any location. The phone number for TCA is: +31 (0)20 777 7777. Always ask for a receipt, as this comes in handy should you have forgotten something or there are any questions regarding the provided service. In Amsterdam, it’s also possible to use the driver’s service Uber.

Service
Service is always included in The Netherlands. When the service has been exceptional, it is customary to leave a gratuity of 5%-10% of the total bill. This applies to restaurants, taxis and other service providers.

Walking
Amsterdam is a very compact city, making it easy to walk around. Should you get lost, try to find a nearby main canal (Singel, Herengracht, Keizersgracht or Prinsengracht) and walk in the direction of rising house numbers, which will finally bring you back onto the Amstel river. When reaching the Amstel river, you should be able to see the Intercontinental Amstel Hotel on your right, on the far side of the river.

Shopping
Each of Amsterdam’s lively neighbourhoods offers diverse shopping opportunities, suitable for any style. The P.C. Hoofstraat is home to many of the world’s most exclusive designers, devoted to luxury brands and world-leading customer service. The famous ‘Nine Streets’ consist of cosy little shopping streets, filled with boutique shops and coffee spots. Delicate food shops can be found here as well, making it the perfect lunch location during your busy day in Amsterdam.

fun facts

Amstel Hotel
The Amstel Hotel was originally planned by Dr Samuel Sarphati to be four times as big. Unfortunately, Dr Sarphati died before the property was completed. When the hotel opened in 1867, the most expensive rooms were on the ground floor as lifts did not exist yet. In her first years, the Amstel Hotel owed its exceptional clientele of royals and celebrities to Dr. Mezger, who started his physio practice inside. A remembrance plaque has been placed in the Amstel Health & Fitness Club.

Amsterdam’s three crosses
The city’s official motto “Heldhaftig, Vastberaden, Barmhartig” (Valiant, Resolute, Merciful), which is displayed on the coat of arms, was bestowed on it by Queen Wilhelmina in 1947, in recognition of the city’s bravery during World War II.

Amsterdam: 17th Century
In the 17th Century, Amsterdam was the most important city in the world in terms of trade. The most successful businessmen owned houses on the main canals and in the nearby countryside along the rivers, like the Amstel and the Vecht. The inner ring of city canals has recently been nominated by UNESCO as World Heritage.