As Creative Director of the hospitality company Lore Group, I split my time between London, New York, Washington DC and Amsterdam, where I look after the interior design of projects such as One Hundred Shoreditch, Sea Containers London and Riggs Washington DC. Each time I take on a new hotel, I have the opportunity to live in the city and immerse myself in its bones so I can imbue the character of the local area into the property – which was precisely what I did for the Pulitzer Amsterdam.
Amsterdam is such a special place to me. It's hard not to fall in love with the century-old canals, houses and fields of tulips. I've pulled together a guide of my favourite places to eat and drink, alongside things to do in the city – so you can Amsterdam like a local.
Where to eat
De Kas
Kamerlingh Onneslaan 3, 1097
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‘Pickled in the morning and served that day’ is the ethos De Kas operates on – and you can taste it. They have their own gardens and greenhouses, so it’s a unique and sustainable way of eating. There’s a beautiful simplicity to the greenhouse-like dining room too.
Jansz.
Reestraat 8, 1016 DN
Jansz. is a restaurant located in the Pulitzer Hotel that celebrates local Dutch produce and focuses on seasonal menus. The food is simple but well-executed, and the atmosphere is perfect for dining alone or with friends. I love to get a table on the canal side where you can watch the boats cruise on the water.
Celia
Nieuwendijk 60, 1012 MB
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Celia is a cool and casual spot serving modern Californian food – perfect for a margarita and a few tacos with friends. It also has a fantastic café, Café Celia, where I often work with my laptop and have coffee (occasionally with one of their famous cinnamon buns, too).
The Duchess
Spuistraat 172, 1012 VT
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I’m a sucker for a grand space, and this former bank ticks that box. The food draws inspiration from Italian and southern French cuisine, and I love looking at the chefs cooking from the open kitchen. My top tip is to bag a seat at the marble bar for a cocktail.
Where to drink
De Waterkant
Plantage, 1018 CZ
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De Waterkant is vibey spot with excellent snacks where you can drink by the water. It’s very easy to while away an afternoon here to the ever-changing backdrop of the canal.
Café de Pels
Huidenstraat 25, 1016 ER
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An Amsterdam institution and my Friday-after-work spot when I lived in the city. It’s got art on the walls, an ever-changing array of reading material, and of course, excellent food and drink. I love this place. Get the lobster croquettes with a glass of wine and a cold beer, you won’t regret it.
Pulitzer’s Bar
Keizersgracht 234, 1016 DZ
Pulitzer’s Bar is a classic and the cocktails are, in my opinion, on par with the world’s best hotel bars. The service is tentative without being stuffy – something hard to find in hotel bars. I’m always pleased to hear more Dutch being spoken than English – it tells me we got it right with this place when our local community loves it.
Super Lyan
Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal 3, 1012 RC
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The drinks at Super Lyan are the brainchild of my friend Ryan, better known as Mr Lyan. His team are wizards with flavour, so it’s a place to try something new or embrace an old favourite with a Lyan twist. If you’re having a little gathering, there’s a delightful space called the ‘Living Room’, which you can book exclusively for a private party.
Where to stay
Pulitzer Amsterdam
Prinsengracht 323, 1016 GZ
The Pulitzer is an intricate collection of 25 Golden Age Canal Houses clustered around a secret inner garden. It’s a magical place, and the design was intended as a love letter to the city, Dutch culture, and all those who called the houses home throughout the previous four centuries. What I love most is the thoughtful and intuitive service; there is nothing too much trouble for the team here.
Rooms from £316 per night; pulitzeramsterdam.com
Kimpton De Witt
Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal 5, 1012 RC
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Kimptons never disappoints. Whenever I stay here, I’m guaranteed a great night’s sleep and fantastic service. It’s well located for exploring the city and easily walkable from the Eurostar terminal, making it a dream. The service is exceptional.
Rooms from £180 per night; kimptondewitthotel.com/en
The Dylan
Keizersgracht 384, 1016 GB
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Spread across two historical canal-side buildings; the Dylan is an intimate 40-room hotel in a prime Amsterdam location. I love the courtyard in the hotel, where you head for lunch or an afternoon cocktail.
Rooms from £426 per night; dylanamsterdam.com
What to do
Bollenstreek
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Take a private tour of the Bollenstreek in the city of Lisse, about 30 minutes away from Amsterdam, as an alternative to the busy Keukenhof. The fields here are more private and just as fabulous, with tulips, daffodils, and hyacinths. Get there first thing to catch the morning sun passing over oceans of tulips.
Cycle
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Explore the city like a local. They say there are more bicycles than people in Amsterdam – and walking along the city's streets will make you realise it’s more than true. You can cycle through Vondelpark – or further afield, as Amsterdam’s cycle paths easily route you to the countryside and even the beaches (a Dutch secret).
Anouk Beerents
Prinsengracht 467-BG, 1016 HP
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Anouk and her team specialise in vintage gilt mirrors and the shop is one of the most enchanting places I’ve ever visited. The passion of the team and the craftsmanship that goes into restoring these antiques is a gift to witness, and the candlelit showroom doubles as a studio – so you can watch the team at work. It reminds you that mirrors were once as valuable as artwork – something I think is truly special.
Rembrandt House Museum
Jodenbreestraat 4, 1011 NK
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This is one of my favourite places in the city. It’s an intimate museum set in the centre of Amsterdam and is a fantastic way to get to know the man behind the art. It’s the only place in the world where you can experience how Rembrandt actually lived and see a remarkable collection of his paintings, drawings and etchings.
Boat trip on The Tourist
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There’s no better way to experience the city than from the water. We’re lucky to have two boats at Pulitzer Amsterdam, but The Tourist, our 1920s Saloon boat, is my favourite. It actually played host to Winston Churchill when he visited Amsterdam to celebrate the end of the Second World War. I’d recommend relaxing with a bottle of champagne and enjoying the journey as the boat’s captain narrates the route around the city.
Group cruises from £50 per person; pulitzeramsterdam.com
Rijksmuseum
Museumstraat 1, 1071 XX
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It may seem obvious but don’t overlook the city’s main museum – as it’s packed with treasures you won’t see elsewhere, from Rembrandt to Vermeer and some wonderful Frans Hal paintings. The museum shop is also worth a visit. Pulitzer Amsterdam often partners with the museum, giving guests special access to some headline exhibitions such as the upcoming Frans Hal show – which is helpful during short trips so you can skip the (often lengthy) queues.
Adult admission £19; rijksmuseum.nl/nl
