Set in a grand 19th-century landmark in Muiderpoort, The Manor hotel offers a stylish base just five minutes by tram from Amsterdam's centre. Originally built in 1891 as a hospital and designed by Concertgebouw architect A.L. van Gendt, the building later served as a district office for marriage ceremonies before being converted into a hotel over the last 20 years. It has recently been revamped as part of Leonardo Hotels' Limited Edition collection.
Rooms and location
Rooms start from £100 a night. The superior king room features wooden beams, soft cotton bedding, numerous seats, and a bathroom with a walk-in shower. The hotel is away from the main hustle-bustle but close enough to sight-seeing spots. Tram lines outside (Linnaeusstraat and Wijttenbachstraat stations) were undergoing major works during the visit, but a train station is a short walk away, and another tram stop is about five minutes away.
Museums and exhibitions
The Stedelijk Museum's Yayoi Kusama retrospective, created alongside the artist before her recent passing, spans 70 years of her work. It runs until January next year but requires booking well in advance due to demand. Instead, the Moco Museum in the Museum Quarter displayed Keith Haring art and one Kusama piece, plus a room of work from pop star Robbie Williams addressing his mental health. The museum, with tickets at €20, has been criticised as "fast food" in the art world but may serve as an entry point for many.
The De Nieuwe Kerk church hosted a Queer Amsterdam exhibition (on until April 7 next year) and displayed finalists and shortlisted entries at the World Press Photo Awards until the end of October. The Begijnhof, a historic courtyard of 105 houses traditionally inhabited by single women over 30, is worth a short visit.
Dining and canal cruise
The hotel's PepeNero Italian restaurant, from chef Daniele Lauritano, intentionally has no pizza but offers fish, meat, and pasta dishes. The menu includes clam spaghetti, pecorino and black pepper risotto, eggplant parmigiana, and slow-braised veal cheek. The burrata starter came with datterino cherry tomatoes, basil oil, and tomato bread crumb. The black Angus ribeye tower, served with spinach, Parmigiano DOP cheese, and balsamic glaze, was beautifully cooked.
A canal cruise, costing about €12 in advance online, included an English-speaking audio tour covering sights like the 1685-built Willet-Holthuysen House and the NEMO science building. Amsterdam has around 165 canals, compared to Venice's 150.
The Manor is up there as one of the best places to stay in Amsterdam, in the writer's view.
