A STAY AT THE HOXTON AMSTERDAM

Upon entering our room, dramatic double-height ceilings catch our first gaze. Hanging underneath, a vintage brass chandelier brings forth the resplendent grandeur of once being the Mayor’s room. There is plenty here to delight, from the beautifully ornate fireplace to the eclectic mix of mid-century furniture; the room is decorated with an assortment of vintage books and trinkets designed to take you back to an era.

But it is the view that we have been waiting for. Brushing aside the beige sheers, a striking vista of the Herengracht canal reveals itself, shimmering underneath the soft golden glow of an early sunset. Cyclists fade in and out of view on a nearby bridge with the gentle passing of a canal cruise underneath. White gulls frolic over the waterway with playful curiosity, and the streets, in all their ambient glory, beckon us again to return.

On a wooden desk, a note in Hoxton’s signature blue captures the corner of my eye. Behind it, a celebratory welcome from the staff congratulated me on my 30th and to have complimentary drinks before dinner. We make our way back down, taking the chance to indulge on some Dutch bitterballens (fried beef croquettes) and cheer over a cozy pot of loose-leaf Earl Grey. A sip and I smile, it’s very gezelligheid and I knew then, it was going to be the start of a wonderfully memorable birthday.

thehoxton.com

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