Published: Thu 10 Jan 2013 at 09:51
Updated: Thu 10 Jan 2013 at 09:52
People booking cheap flights to Amsterdam for the first time can discover a lot by staying in the historic Prinsengracht district, where a once austere public library has been turned into a superb five-star hotel showcasing the city’s rich culture and heritage.
The first Hyatt hotel in the Netherlands, the Andaz Prinsengracht, is an upmarket boutique residence in the picturesque Nine Streets quarter. Although the building only dates back to the 1970s, like all Hyatt Andaz hotels it exudes the flavour and character of its environment, fitting in perfectly with the canal buildings which surround it, many of which date back to the Dutch Golden Age. Opened in October 2012, its dignified exterior reflects its public library heritage, and the interior picks this up, with a small library of books about the city, and walls covered in text and images to help visitors discover the heritage of Amsterdam.
The luxurious, exuberant interiors are the work of acclaimed designer Marcel Wanders, who has combined striking modern touches with flamboyant references to the past in a totally unique way. The lobby marks a departure from both hotel and library tradition, as instead of a reception desk, there are employees armed with tablet PCs who mingle with the guests. Many of the 122 rooms overlook the Prinsengracht (Princes Canal), which is the longest in Amsterdam and home to some of the city’s most famous monuments. They include Anne Frank’s House, the Noorderkerk, the Noordermarkt and the Westerkerk - the city’s tallest church.
With quaint cobbled streets, painted barges, humpbacked bridges and historic gabled houses, the Prinsengracht is the ideal base for exploring this engaging city. To sample it on a budget, cheap flights to Amsterdam can be booked through Jet2.com.
