Hotel TwentySeven Amsterdam

The first Dutch boutique hotels we saw were marvels of the modern minimalism that was in the ascendant in the turn-of-the-millennium Netherlands. Since then, however, we’ve seen a flowering of eclectic styles — but none quite so ornate as that on display in Hotel TwentySeven. This 1916 building on the central Dam Square is home to a private club for the upper crust of Amsterdam society and industry, and, on its upper floors, to a luxury boutique hotel that’s as intensely atmospheric as anything we’ve ever seen.

“Neo-Baroque” hardly begins to capture the sheer opulence and ornamentation of a hotel that’s festooned with Nepalese carpets, Italian curtains, French wallpaper, and no end of sumptuous furnishings and contemporary artworks. But the visual impact is only one of Hotel TwentySeven’s strengths. The bar is one of Amsterdam’s most sought-after (and exclusive) nightspots, and the restaurant, Bougainville, is the proud recipient of a Michelin star.

The concept was to create a luxury hotel where “literally anything is possible,” thanks not only to the encyclopedic array of amenities and comforts but also to the ultra-personalized approach to service. What this means in practical terms is that you’ll have your own butler, who’s capable of sorting out nearly any whim that crosses your mind, as well as a team of personal trainers, shoppers, assistants, tour guides, even child-care providers.