The Pavilions Amsterdam, The Toren

Amsterdam’s canal house hotels are known for their rich textures and their historical atmosphere, but even against stiff competition the Toren Hotel stands out. Its location in the central canal district could hardly be more picturesque, and the same goes for the building itself, which recently celebrated its 400th birthday. Not content simply to rely on the charm of its setting, the Toren’s proprietors brought in designer Wim van de Oudeweetering, who outfitted the hotel in lush fabrics, rich colors, bold patterns, and theatrical details — you’d almost call it baroque, were it not so contemporary in its vision.

Thanks to the heritage floorplan, the rooms start out rather on the cozy side, and they’re all different — some feature canal views, though, and the deluxes and suites are given plenty of room to spread out. And the old building still features the twisting staircases that are typical to Amsterdam canal houses, which means it feels in some ways more like a residence than a hotel (and also that it isn’t wheelchair-accessible). That, and the fact that it lacks a proper restaurant — but from this spot in the Keizersgracht, and with the help of the Toren’s attentive staff, you’re presented with no shortage of options.