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Feb 2025
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Feb 2025
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Hotel The Craftsmen

A canal-side stay with unique rooms, quiet luxury, and a magnificent location.

For a unique and colorful stay packed with character. From its perfect location on a picturesque canal to the gorgeous, detail-oriented rooms, a stay at The Craftsmen is full of tiny surprises.

 

Set the scene

It’s easy to spot The Craftsmen—in the center of Amsterdam, perched on the corner of a beautiful canal and surrounded by all the hustle and bustle of the city. I recognized the property immediately when walking around the neighborhood a few days before my stay. It looks like it belongs on a postcard, or at the very least, as a miniature figurine sold in tourist shops. The black brick walls, red shutters, and white accents give the property a finished and updated look without sacrificing the history of the building. Its central location is ideal for travelers who want to hop around the area and see as much of the city as possible. The guests you’ll find here are upscale international travelers who want to experience the best of the best, and have no interest in bland, recycled properties they’ve seen a thousand times, even if they’re luxury; it’s a private, curated experience, perfect for those interested in Dutch history and quirky, unique rooms.

 

The backstory

The hotel is somewhat new, but the building itself has an impressive history. First opened in 2019, the property is a historical monument that functions as a love letter to classic Dutch crafts, like leathermaking and painting. The building’s history dates back to 1651, when it was purchased by Nicolaes Swaen and given its first name, The Swan. You’ll still find a small white swan plaque on the front of the building today to honor its early owners. From there, it changed hands a few times, either through inheritance from family members, being given as a gift, or being sold to pay off a debt. It wasn’t until 1853 that the property first functioned as it does today: A place to secure an overnight stay—although, at the time it was a hostel for Catholics who renounced alcohol. In the mid-1900s, it was transformed into a budget-friendly hotel for tourists by the Brouwer family. In 2018, it was resold and renamed, and became the unique, luxe property you see on the canal today: Hotel The Craftsmen. You’ll find the entire history of the building painted on the staircase of the property, so you can take a closer look at its past during your stay.

 

The rooms

Home to 14 remarkable rooms, this boutique property is quiet, private, and special. Each room is a detailed work of art—you’ll struggle to find a more unique place to stay in the city. The rooms all vary in size and design, ideal for every type of traveler, whether you’re enjoying the city solo (check out one of the two Single Rooms, perfect for one person to cozy up with some of the best views of the canals in Amsterdam) or there with family (The Family Room sleeps up to four in a king bed and two singles across two floors connected by a spiral staircase). Each room has all of the classic amenities you’d want, like complimentary sparkling and still water, complimentary breakfast, Molton Brown toiletries, a Dyson hairdryer, and more. Many of the rooms have gorgeous views of the canal, and all are so beautifully designed and decorated you’ll never want to leave. I checked into one of the signature rooms, The Artist, and was immediately blown away. The two-story room feels like your own private apartment on the edge of the canal, with a private entrance on the street; floor-to-ceiling glass windows; a chic lofted area, perfect for sipping on a drink while looking out over the canal; and original detailing, like the parquet floors and spiral staircase. Like the name suggests, the room is art-themed—the television is perched on a recycled painting easel; the first floor, chair, and landing are splattered with calculated splashes of paint, and if you head up to the loft and look down over the edge, you’ll see that from above, the paint splatters form the face of one very iconic Dutch artist: Van Gogh. The attention to detail will make your heart skip a beat; each new, special touch had me catching my breath all over again. One thing to note for The Artist: Its first-floor location and exterior walls that are entirely floor-to-ceiling windows means that it can be a bit noisy (bring your earplugs), but the view and private access more than make up for it.

 

Food and drink

The Craftsmen doesn’t have an on-site restaurant, but connected to the property is The Craftsmen Kitchen, a takeaway store with tasty sandwiches, coffee, and juice, frequently visited by tourists, locals, and hotel patrons alike. You can also get The Craftsmen Kitchen delivered to your room. The interiors of the takeaway store are just as unique as the hotel itself.

Every morning, guests of the property will also get to indulge in a complimentary breakfast. The breakfast can be served at a time of your choosing, either in The Gallery (their common room) or sent directly to your room. Unless otherwise requested, breakfast is made up of tasty pastries, yogurt, dutch cheeses, a soft-boiled egg, and more. The Gallery room itself is a showstopper, with its massive wall clock filled with gears, and unique tables and chairs, like the chic, redesigned leatherworker’s work table.

 

The neighborhood/area

It’s right in the heart of Amsterdam, next to just about everything you’ll want to visit. Nearby, find the Anne Frank House and the Dam Square, both less than a 10-minute walk away. The Van Gogh Museum is a bit farther away, a 35-minute walk or a 14-minute train ride. You’re within walking distance from all the best shops, restaurants, sightseeing stops (like the flower market and 9 Little Streets), and views of the city. Don’t forget to bring your walking shoes because the beauty of this remarkable city is best seen on foot. One thing to keep in mind is that the property is right on the edge of the Red Light District, and while it doesn’t feel that way at the entrance of the building, be mindful of which direction you’re walking in if you plan to avoid that area (especially at night).

 

The service

Friendly, without being overbearing. At The Craftsmen, you make the rules: You can have as much or as little hands-on service as you’d like. You’ll be connected to the hotel staff via a WhatsApp chat, so you can request personalized changes when desired. It almost feels like staying at an upscale apartment thanks to all of the privacy, but with the added benefit of a knowledgeable hotel staff who can help you out whenever you need (and a delicious complimentary breakfast).

 

Accessibility

This historic property is not particularly great for those who have disabilities—most of the stairs tend to be steep and winding since they’re either originals or tributes to the building’s past.

 

Anything left to mention?

You won’t find a stay like this just about anywhere else. For those who truly value uniqueness with their luxury, Hotel The Craftsmen is the way to go.

 

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