Park Centraal Amsterdam

The Park Hotel Amsterdam is back, with a subtle update to its name and a corresponding update to its interiors and its offerings. The Park Centraal Amsterdam isn’t quite an entirely new hotel — after a century in business it’s got plenty of history worth preserving, and its highly regarded restaurant, MOMO, is still going strong. But it’s been thoroughly refreshed, and now presents a frankly irresistible vision of modernist-inspired Dutch city life: rich colors, curvaceous furnishings, stylish artworks, and a location that’s centraal indeed, a short walk from the Big Three: the Rijksmuseum, the Van Gogh Museum, and the Stedelijk.

Amsterdam is a famously dense city and has always made the most of its modestly sized spaces — the Park Centraal’s Classic and Deluxe rooms are cozy indeed, but comfortable all the same, and the suites stretch out, especially the split-level Duplex and the crowning Tower Suite. Rain showers and espresso machines add a touch of civilized luxury, and some rooms even come with views of the canal. Meanwhile the lobby is now home to Bar Claes, a clubby space complete with a fireplace and pool table, while MOMO, the Japanese-inspired bar, restaurant, and lounge, continues to earn accolades from locals and travelers alike.