Sofitel Legend The Grand Amsterdam

"A 17th-century Admiralty building, a 1930s former city hall and an historic canal house or two combine to form a quietly elegant, reposeful retreat, albeit on the edge of the red-light district. The lounge, done up in warm colors with pools of comfy chairs, has a domestic drawing-room atmosphere. Bridges restaurant is up there with the best in town with an inspired menu of curious combinations that really work, and a verdant courtyard garden. Rooms are quietly luxurious, and there is a spa with a good-size pool." - Amber Port

"Why book? With a grand entrance in the heart of Amsterdam, the Sofitel Legend The Grand is a traveler favorite with a whole lot of history. Set the scene The arrival at Sofitel Legend The Grand is, well, grand. Right on the Oudezijds Voorburgwal canal, the cobblestoned roundabout entrance is something you’d imagine horse-drawn carriages gliding through—which, given the building dates back to 1411, probably has happened at one point or another. Inside, time-worn charm meets the modern-day needs of world travelers. The Sofitel brand, after all, spells amenities, loyalty programs, and an international set. Staff greet guests in French first; those around me in the lobby during check-in were speaking in Portuguese, Italian, and Arabic. You can see why this Sofitel Legend checks the boxes for such a wide-ranging group of people: There’s an army of staff bearing smiles and opening doors, everything you could need is on-property (two restaurants, a bar, and even an underground spa and gym—a feat in Amsterdam, where most properties have the footprint of a street cat). Likewise, you’ll see everything from groups of adult women on girls trips, to families toting kids of all ages, to couples in their 30s. I tend to find that hotels catering to such a wide group of people usually have a blend of aesthetics, and this was no exception: there’s a sense of regality in the property's old bones and the inclination for whimsy in small details like art and lighting, yet modernity and quiet luxury guide many of the in-room amenities. The backstory You could write a short novel about this hotel (maybe someone has). Once a convent in the early 1400s, the building was confiscated by the city in 1578 as part of the Protestant Reformation. City officials would later be put up here when visiting; it even served as Amsterdam city hall in the 17th century. After hundreds of years of governmental changes—and shifts to the building's purpose—it became the Sofitel Legend The Grand in 1992. Ask reception for a tour to fully appreciate the building's history. The rooms While the lobby has more eclectic decor, the rooms shine by keeping things simple and elevated. Plum and taupe carpets and warm woods make for an inviting space; an accent wall of floral wallpaper adds a little personality. I stayed in a Junior Suite with huge windows that swung open onto that iconic courtyard, and a free-standing tub in the bathroom (that I wasn’t around long enough to use, but appreciated the mere idea of). Food and drink When I posted photos of this breakfast on Instagram, I was surprised to get DMs from fellow travelers (including a colleague) telling me how much they remembered that part of their stay at the Sofitel Legend The Grand. Then again, I wasn’t that surprised—every morning, we padded down to a feast of a buffet with fresh juices (not just apple and orange, but green juices and citrus blends), cold cuts and Dutch cheeses, more bread shapes than I could count, and made-to-order entrees like pannekoeken and eggs Benedict. The servers, who were friendly and chatty, made it fun to return each day. While hotel dinners are not usually my first choice in a great food city like Amsterdam, the leafy setting of the Garden Terrace made an evening of truffle flatbreads and scallop carpaccio worth staying in. The spa I almost felt guilty passing up a couple hours of being out and about in the city to duck into the spa—until I got a deep-tissue massage with a therapist who gave me a much-appreciated analysis of my tension points (with preventative tips) afterward. The neighborhood/area You're in the thick of things at the Sofitel Grand The Legend—right in the center of the ring of horseshoe-shaped canals that makes up the city. I was able to walk to the hotel from the Rokin metro stop after riding the train in from Schiphol airport; it's also a 15-minute walk from the lovely Jordaan neighborhood, and a short bike ride to just about anywhere (bicycles are available for rent). The service I’m never too comfortable using the butler service, but we were given such a warm greeting by our attendant that I almost wanted to call him back just to say hi. When I casually asked for a reccomendation of his favorite doner kebab spot, longing for a taste of my days studying abroad at the Universiteit van Amsterdam over a decade ago, I found a printed sheet of recs on the table the following morning. At the front desk, I found every question of mine had an answer—whether I needed help scoring and printing tickets to the Van Gogh Museum (book ahead!), a reusable cork for a bottle of champagne ordered via room service, or even an adapter. Anything left to mention? This was the most comfortable hotel bed I’ve slept in. The fluffy down duvet! The supportive-yet-comfy mattress. This bed is a cloud, and after years of staying in fabulous hotels, it’s easily the best I’ve ever had. I almost enjoyed that my jet lag kept me up late one night, just so I could enjoy being awake in bed for a movie." - Megan Spurrell

"Originally a 15th-century convent, followed by stints as the headquarters of the Dutch Admiralty andAmsterdam’s town hall, the Sofitel Legend The Grand Amsterdam—or simply, The Grand—presides over the heart of the old city. With its imposing brick facade flanked by canals and its location within a stone’s throw of Dam Square and De Oude Kerk, The Grand would be a legend even without Sofitel’s designation. The majestic entrance courtyard hasn’t changed since its construction in the 17th century—a fact that’s reinforced by the hotel’s horse-drawn carriage, which offers guests a different way to explore the city center—and even before the building became a hotel, landmark figures in European history stayed on site, including William of Orange. While today’s interiors are starkly modern, the designers alluded to the hotel’s storied past in the decor and textiles featured in the 177 rooms and suites, which overlook either the interior courtyard and gardens or the canals, and come with touches like rainshowers and signature MyBed mattresses. The private Canal House Suites—especially popular with the dignitaries and celebrities who frequent the hotel—may appear boldly contemporary, but accents like round windows and wood-beamed ceilings hint at their past as the private homes of Dutch admirals. The hotel’s five dining options include the Michelin-starred Bridges restaurant—set in what was once the town hall’s canteen—as well as the casual, all-day Bridges Bistro, traditional Flying Dutchman café, sophisticated Library D’Or lobby lounge, and peaceful Garden Terrace. The two-floor SO Spa houses a gym, heated indoor pool, wet area with Turkish hammam, and treatment rooms for French-inspired services."