Canal House

It’s about time somebody synthesized Amsterdam’s two divergent stylistic threads. Visitors in search of precious, historical canal-house charm have never had trouble satisfying their needs, and devotees of modern Dutch design likewise find themselves well served — just never at the same hotel. The Canal House squares this particular circle, and while the results might not satisfy purists at either extreme, there are a great many of us who are likely to find its blend of timeless elegance and modern luxury to be just the perfect mixture.

The modern influence is actually of fairly recent vintage, the Canal House having been thoroughly renovated by its new owners, Curious Hotels, the international micro-chain whose other links include Cowley Manor, L’Hôtel, and the Portobello Hotel. Anyone familiar with their previous work will immediately grasp the concept here: all three are smallish, quite stylish, and though contemporary in aspect, exceedingly well tailored to the locale.

Here in Amsterdam that means a cozy, warren-like floor plan, picturesque canal views in the best rooms, and a design that’s full of contrast between lush materials and austere forms — aesthetic echoes, perhaps, of the city’s dual Catholic/Protestant heritage, if you’ve got your cultural-studies hat on. However you look at it it’s a triumph of moderation, a veritable ode to compromise, and a worthy addition to Amsterdam’s high-end hotel scene.