In the heart of the Dutch capital lies the remarkable Sofitel Amsterdam The Grand. Established in the former City Hall with origins tracing back to the 16th century, The Grand is internationally renowned for luxury and is listed as one of the best hotels in the world. Its unique location, high standards of hospitality and high quality staff ensure a visit to Amsterdam is enjoyed fully, with a stay in The Grand. For more information about Amsterdam, click here.
Some personal recommendations of Amsterdam from staff at The Grand:
Zsa Zsa Zanolie, Guest Relations Officer, The Grand
Where to shop…
“Our hotel is located in the historical centre of Amsterdam, the perfect starting point for visits to museums, stores, restaurants, bars, clubs and other attractions. Of course, it’s difficult in a city like Amsterdam to choose between all the various options, so that’s why we gladly advise some good addresses for shopping, eating and expanding the cultural horizon. I will start with shopping: for some of the best stores in town I would go the Negen Straatjes, or in English the Nine Streets, a charming area of nine closely connected shopping streets with designer and vintage clothing, shoes, accessories, furniture, art, gifts and gadgets. This is a true paradise for anybody who wants to spend money on extraordinary things!”
Aurélien Poirot, Chef de Cuisine, The Grand
Where to eat, drink and dance…
“For me as a chef, Amsterdam is in the first 
place a city full of good bars and restaurants. Of course, I can advise culinary connoisseurs to eat at our new restaurant Bridges, which opened in November 2009 and offers a combination of exclusive Dutch fish dishes and exquisite French wines, but there are a lot of other restaurants that are worth a visit. Some of the best bars of the city, Weber, Kamer 401 and Lux, are located at the Marnixstraat around the corner of the famous Leidseplein. These three venues attract an international and diverse public, and are known for their good music and inspiring atmosphere. Furthermore, I can recommend cultural hotspots such as Paradiso and Melkweg for live pop concerts and the legendary Concertgebouw at the Museumplein for the best classical music concerts.”
Udo Eshuijs, Concierge, The Grand
Where to take in some culture…
“The many museums of Amsterdam have amazed and inspired millions of visitors all over the globe for several decades now; people come to see the Rijksmuseum, the Van Gogh Museum and the Stedelijk Museum, but also for the new Hermitage Museum, architectual projects like Plan Zuid and, of course, the canals and historical centre with the classic Dutch houses that have formed the image of Amsterdam for so many centuries. The cultural significance of Amsterdam cannot be overstated. The city is like Rolling Stone singer Mick Jagger said, “the world’s smallest metropolis”. Visitors from all over the world, of all walks of life and with all kinds of interests can find something special in Amsterdam.”
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