THE HOTEL: Perfectly pitched on the edge of Amsterdam’s canal belt, the new CitizenM is the brand’s third hotel in its home city, and is named after the river Amstel that flows close by. Inhabiting a smart 1920s building, it has 88 stylish rooms, hip interiors and cool co-working spaces that help it stand out from the crowd
THE CHECK-IN: The hotel has embraced all the latest technology including self-check-in kiosks that will put an electronic room-key in your hands within minutes. Nevertheless, the desk is still manned by friendly CitizenM ‘ambassadors’ who were able to check me into a free room when I arrived early.
THE ROOM: CitizenM doesn’t have room categories – they are usually the same except for the original artworks. But for this hotel it developed two different room designs to fit with the configuration of the building. Compact minimalist rooms are functional but design-led with “everything you need and nothing you don’t”. Immensely comfortable king-size beds are topped with crisp white Egyptian cotton sheets and fluffy soft pillows. The lighting, television, blinds and climate are all controlled by an easy-to-use iPad and I spent a while playing with the novel room settings that allow guests to customise their environment according to their mood
THE FACILITIES: A boutique business hotel, its arty communal areas are the perfect co-working space with an allday café, bar and snack canteen in the ‘Living Room’ and plenty of cosy nooks. Designed by CitizenM’s Amsterdam-based partner Concrete, the hotel features original artworks, bookcases full of literature and stylish ergonomic furniture by renowned designers Vitra. There are also two meeting rooms that can accommodate up to 16 people, and include AV equipment and cables, designer furniture and blackboard and whiteboard walls to write on.
THE VERDICT: A brilliant and affordable alternative to more traditional hotels, this is a relaxing bolthole for a business trip with a convenient location for exploring Amsterdam’s charming canal belt.
THE DETAILS: Sarphatistraat 47, 1018 EW, Amsterdam, Netherlands. Rates start at £90 per night. For more information see citizenm.com
Reviewed by Sasha Wood (2019)
