Amsterdam has a lot to offer the well-heeled tourist, although you probably won’t find some of its most luxurious attractions in the guidebook. Elegant restaurants with priceless art collections and exclusive cocktail bars are hidden behind the unassuming facades of canal-front builings. And with a host of great value flights to Amsterdam available, a luxury weekend in the Dutch capital has never been easier.
Elegant dining
At city-centre restaurant D’Vijff Vlieghen guests are seated in cosy dining rooms spread across five 17th-century canal houses. The décor oozes Golden Age sophistication – ask for a table in the Rembrandt room, where striking original etchings by the Dutch master hang on the walls. Its menu serves organic food wherever possible and offers a seasonal selection of game and fish marinated with fresh herbs and accompanied with interesting, if underused vegetables, such as chard and Brussels sprouts.
Visit the secret cocktail bar
Exclusivity defined, the only way of discovering the address of chic cocktail bar Door74 is by booking a table. You and your friends can soak up the atmosphere in the swanky interior, whilst sipping heady cocktails, such as a Belle Winter, a delicious mixture of champagne, chestnut liqueur and gin.
Charter your own canal boat
The Grachtengordel is probably Amsterdam’s most iconic attraction, a lattice of picturesque canals lined with elegant buildings. Hire your own vessel, from converted cargo barges to wood-lined salon boats, and spend a day exploring the waterways at your own pace. Or, be even more extravagant and book a private, gourmet six-course meal aboard a luxurious antique river launch. A world away from the sort of fare you might expect on a cheap flight to Amsterdam.
Choose a piece of Dutch avant-garde furniture
Dutch design is famous the world over for the way in which ordinary, prosaic objects are reinterpreted. Elegant, swirled chaise longue chairs aren’t simply high-end furnishings; they’re works of art too. Some of the most fashion-forward and eye-popping pieces are yours to ponder and ship home at gallery-cum-shop Moooi in the Jordaan.
Indulge in a spot of pampering
Sauna Deco in the Western Canal Belt is a top choice for those seeking to unwind. Don’t be fooled by the simple 18th-century exterior – inside is another world altogether. Dip into the saunas, Turkish steam baths and foot baths while gazing at walls dripping with Art Deco details like sandblasted glass, gilded rails and opulent wainscoting. Over in the adjoining spa, experienced massage therapists provide expert shiatsu massages in modern, soothing spaces.
So, for a luxury break in the Dutch capital, check out the range of affordable and first-class flights to Amsterdam currently available.
We had already purchased tickets to Carrot Top after reading rave (albeit surprisingly rave) reviews, but wanted to check out at least one more show while in town. We came across numerous half-price day-of-show ticket sale centers, and instantly noticed that Carrot Top tickets were selling for half of what we’d paid on Ticketmaster.
