Earlier this year I visited Amsterdam and had the opportunity to have the spectacular afternoon tea at the Hotel Okura Amsterdam. I was quite impressed by the service. And so, this time I’ve decided to stay at the hotel.

Location

The Okura sits next to a quiet canal in the trendy and terminally hip De Pijp area of Amsterdam, more or less halfway between Amsterdam Zuid and the Rijksmuseum. The metro station for the line 52 is about ten minutes away on foot, and the tram line 12 passes close to the hotel. 

Check-In

Just as I enter the lobby, the bellman comes rushing out to help me. He gives me a friendly greeting and offers to take my suitcase, but I’m only travelling with my trusty Rimowa, so I tell him I’ll be fine.

Inside, the hotel is looking rather festive. In the centre of the lobby stands a tall, elegantly decorated Christmas tree and they’ve set up a pop-up take-away coffee bar just opposite reception. It’s quite busy when I arrive at around 13h30. But the staff are efficient, so I only have a short wait. Even so, the young lady at reception apologizes and thanks me for my patience. I’m still a bit early for check-in. Nonetheless, the young lady quickly checks me in and gets my keys ready. I’ve been given a room on the twelfth floor.

The Staff

My interaction at reception sets the tone for my stay at The Okura Amsterdam. The staff are friendly in that typically Dutch way that seems to come naturally to them. They’re also attentive, but without hovering over guest.

Superior View Junior Suite

My room on the twelfth floor is surprisingly large and spacious. It’s also very bright and has excellent views over the city. From up here I can even see the turrets of the Rijks Museum on my right, and the skyscrapers of Amsterdam Zuid on my left.

What I find very interesting about the room, is that it has a decidedly Japanese look and feel to it, but I’m struggling to put a finger on it to explain what it is exactly that makes it look like a Japanese hotel.

In any case, the bed is immensely comfortable and very large. The mattress is firm and very supportive on the back. But apart from that, the furnishings in the room are just comfortable.

It’s also noticeable that the hotel is very quiet. I’ve seen other guests on my floor, but throughout my stay I don’t hear any noises coming from the other rooms.

The bathroom is also a good size and features a bath and separate shower. And this is where I will probably get slightly carried away in this post, because…. The shower? I mean, THE SHOWER. This is just perfect, the holy grail, the discovery of Atlantis – in short, it’s a perfect ten on the Knight of Malta shower standard test: no spillage, excellent pressure and volume and consistent and precise temperature regulation.

Amenities

The amenities are rather nice too. In the bathroom the cosmetics are by l’Occitane. There are slippers and very soft and fluffy towels and bathrobes. That latter are a good size that fit well.

There’s also a welcome note with a small bottle of sake as a welcome gift, which is another nice Japanese touch, even if I don’t actually drink sake.

The minibar has a Nespresso machine, but no kettle. The tea is by Jing, which is the same brand they serve at the CitizenMs. Tea and coffee capsules are replenished when they come to make up the room for the night.

The still water in the minibar is complimentary, even though there’s no need for it, really. The tap water in Amsterdam tastes very good.

Dining

There are several restaurants at The Okura. The afternoon tea at Serre I’ve already written about in my previous post from The Okura. Breakast is served at Le Camelia. They serve an extensive buffet that includes typically Dutch items like the komijn kaas and a western style buffet of hot dishes. In addition, they also have a wide selection of Japanese dishes, which is what I have, and the food tastes authentic.

Conclusion

The Okura certainly doesn’t disappoint! From beginning to finish, this has been a thoroughly enjoyable stay. The service is great and the staff hospitable. Apart from all that, the room feels comfortable. It’s a nice place to return to after a long day exploring the city. Definitely coming back to this one!