 Image courtesy of Mövenpick, Amsterdam It’s a truth universally acknowledged that there is never a bad time to visit the Dutch capital. From the verdant blooming tulips of spring to the twinkling lights and warming Bisschopswijn of the Christmas markets, Amsterdam welcomes with open arms year-round. With the recent launch of the first ever direct Eurostar service to the city earlier this year, it’s now more accessible than ever. Cutting out the awkward airport run means Londoners can now arrive at central station in just over three and a half hours, nudging it up the to-do list for an easy weekend city break (although border control niggles mean the return leg is still via Brussels). With autumn days providing no end to opportunities for lazy cycles around the Vondelpark, canal-side beers around every corner and literally dozens of festivals keeping the spirit of summer alive, there’s no time like now to get a trip in the diary. While the city has no shortage of accommodation, the central canal belt can end up becoming an incredibly busy tourist trap, particularly in the summer. Just a few minutes walk in the opposite direction from the station lies the Mövenpick Hotel Amsterdam City Centre, a spacious alternative to the middle of town with spectacular views of the city to boot.  Image courtesy of Mövenpick, Amsterdam The Vibe With 408 rooms it’s big, and yet somehow manages not to feel it. While the hotel may be geared in part towards the business traveller, its size affords it a list of bonuses some of its smaller city centre counterparts may miss out on. Should it tickle your fancy there’s an in-house gym, Finnish sauna, bio sauna, ice fountain and massage room - just the ticket after a day pounding the city streets.  Image courtesy of Mövenpick, Amsterdam The Rooms Choose a room with a city view and you won’t be disappointed. Our suite afforded us a breathtaking sunset across the river and city, while the twinkling lights of the city unfolding beneath meant once the sun went down, the view was equally as pretty. Sustainability is high on the agenda at Mövenpick and not only did the luxuriously comfortable king size bed come with organic, fair-trade linen, but the bathroom was full of eco-friendly toiletries. With a welcome gift of Mövenpick chocolate and jam, a well-stocked minibar (of course featuring Heineken…), on-demand movies and an envious room service menu, you’d be forgiven for spending a night in, revelling in the bathtub and ordering dinner from the kitchen which, after an extremely drizzly Saturday walking miles on end and getting soaked to the bone, I admittedly thoroughly enjoyed. Needless to say the bathrobe and slippers provided were utilised! Earlier this year the hotel launched its ‘Sleep Individually Different’ concept, which features the latest innovations in technology to help guests personalise their environment to create the optimal conditions for a deep sleep. From YouBed adjustable mattresses to Philip Stein’s Natural Frequency Technology built into the bed for an enhanced sleeping experience to high quality pillows and duvets, blackout curtains, earplugs, eye mask, blackout stickers to cover electronic devices and a copy of Arianna Huffington’s book “The Sleep Revolution”, if you can't drift off to here, there's no hope. With little extras including lavender sachets to place on your pillow and herbal teas, they really have thought of everything to ensure you have the perfect night’s sleep, all the better for saving up your energy ready for the inevitable miles you’ll be walking around the city.  Image courtesy of Mövenpick, Amsterdam The Food The hotel’s Silk Road restaurant offers a seasonal a la carte menu, heavily influenced by the brand’s Swiss roots. My Friday night supper involved a delicious roasted goat’s cheese on a potato rosti (a menu staple…) followed by a simple, yet fulfilling, linguine Alfredo with plenty of parmesan. With other dishes ranging from the likes of baked salmon and spinach and ricotta ravioli to Zurich-style veal and a beef tartare, there’s plenty of choice, though as luck would have it, my friend who joined me for dinner was vegan, which proved a bit more difficult. Luckily, the kitchen was incredibly accommodating, with the chef whipping up something off-menu to satisfy his palate. Breakfast is a more laid-back affair, with a buzzing breakfast buffet in the back of the Silk Road’s main dining room. It can get pretty busy given the number of hotel guests, so it’s worth bearing in mind that an Executive Room grants access to a separate, smaller dining room with a slightly more relaxed vibe in which to enjoy a leisurely continental breakfast. Be sure to indulge in the Dutch tradition of chocolate hagelslag (sprinkles) on toast. It might seem lie breakfast for a five year old, but trust me, you won’t regret it! While on the subject of food and drink, the Executive Lounge also offers complimentary beverages and light snacks in the early evening, while the Silk Bar on the ground floor has a fairly extensive cocktail menu and a decent array of whiskies to try before hitting the town. It’s also worth noting there’s a great bar on the river just across the road from the hotel, dripping in fairy lights and calling out for an evening tipple.  Image courtesy of Mövenpick, Amsterdam The Verdict Tempting as it may be to book a city centre something for your summer stay, you’ll be missing out. Amsterdam’s Mövenpick outpost is worth a visit for the views alone, but with the new SLEEP rooms starting at just €115 per night, it’s a small price to pay for a perfect night’s sleep and a spectacular city sunrise. The Details Mövenpick Amsterdam City Centre Piet Heinkade 11 1019 Amsterdam www.movenpick.com A summary of our experience at Mövenpick, Amsterdam
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