The Toren

The main bar features a mural painted by Rembrandt’s studio assistant, probably sketched out by the great man himself, replicas of which feature in some of the suites.

Creating a charming, memorable and distinctive space in the hustle and bustle of Amsterdam’s city centre is no mean feat, but the Toren does so with effortless elegance.  It’s about 15 minutes’ walk from Centraal station and around 20 to the red-light district, yet it really couldn’t be more different from the overcrowded oversexed centre.

The beautifully apportioned facade of the historic townhouse hotel initiates the feeling of calm and secluded luxury and exudes the historic hospitality which the hotel seeks to give to its guests. The cobbled streets and historic stonework bridges mean have a timeless feel, and at night, when the pale orange streetlights glance off the water, it’s easy to imagine a time when barges floated down the canal, transporting exotic goods to Europe’s premier port city. 

The interior of the Toren is all about indulgent luxury; the burlesque decor is tinged with shades of neoclassicism, in rich purples and golds, dark smoked glass and plenty of antique mirrors and floral accessories. The rooms are fantastically unique, with flocked wallpaper and silk and velvet upholstery. The sense of opulence is translated throughout all the rooms, each of which has a bespoke feature or two, such bedside Jacuzzis or elegant ensuite steam rooms. The dining experience at the Toren is equally unique; although they have a small kitchen on site, they have a relationship with a nearby restaurant, the Christoffe, which delivers refined French food in handcrafted silver-plated containers for room service or to eat in the inviting velvet seats in the bar. Service here is friendly and genuine, with staff providing elegant hospitality with the kind of welcoming attitude that comes only with real job satisfaction.