Welcome to NYLON’s Metropolis Guides, your one-stop store for the perfect trip. Right here, you’ll discover the last word suggestions in the case of the place to remain, eat, drink, store, and extra for the world’s hottest cities — all tried and examined by NYLON editors.
Amsterdam: the land of Miffy, canals, stroopwafel, tulips, and a refreshingly relaxed sense of morality. The Dutch metropolis is a picturesque hub for tradition; from its storied artwork historical past to world-class events, there’s a motive why the compact metropolis has lengthy been on the high of traveler’s vacation spot wish-lists. Whether or not the objective is to unwind, rating uncommon designer classic, or break partying information, Amsterdam is the perfect weekend getaway. Learn on for the perfect, NYLON-approved itinerary, forward.
The place To Keep
Conservatorium Resort
The property that now hosts the Conservatorium lodge has lived many lives; previous to its conversion to a luxurious lodge, the situation was house to one of many foremost music faculties within the Netherlands; and earlier than that, the headquarters of the Nationwide Dutch financial institution. The lodge embraces its storied pasts wholeheartedly. The obvious is in its identify, a nod to its musical heritage and one of many cultural crown jewels of Amsterdam. The tributes proceed in intelligent methods, just like the identify and idea of Taiko, the lodge’s Japanese fusion restaurant, named after the Japanese percussion instrument. (Taiko’s partitions are lined with percussive devices, and to take it a step additional, the area was transformed from a former percussion classroom.) Mosaics from its time as a financial institution are nonetheless intact, as vibrant and attractive as they had been tons of of years in the past.
Whereas the Conservatorium sits on the coronary heart of Amsterdam’s museum district, it’s in no way apparent from inside their rooms. Noise air pollution is virtually nonexistent, even for rooms overlooking the town’s frequent trolley prepare. And, finally, it’s onerous to be distracted by exterior stimuli in rooms specializing in immense consideration to element. Stained glass home windows spotlight old-world magnificence and craftsmanship. Lofted beds deliver an ethereal spaciousness. Doorways slide to shut flush in opposition to the wall so seamlessly that much less eager eyes may simply miss the closet and toilet utterly. It’d be a rattling disgrace to overlook the latter — with its deep soaking tub and rainfall bathe, the secluded bogs really feel like a fortress the place leisure is the one goal, or a pre-game for a day at its celebrated Akasha Spa.
Whereas the bedrooms skew towards the fashionable, as soon as out the room’s threshold, the lodge’s glamor actually units in. It’s uncommon to spend time in a lodge that cherishes its tradition the best way the Conservatorium has. Stone archways, spiral staircases, and heavy, ornate doorways really feel transportive. (The sensation is barely intensified by Pores and skin, the place fragrance-heads can simply spend hours exploring the shop’s assortment of area of interest perfumes and taking part in round with reminiscence.)
The Conservatorium’s balanced marriage of the previous and current is greatest articulated in its foyer. The addition of a glass atrium construction makes what was as soon as the out of doors facade of the constructing right into a vibrant and welcoming lounge and arguably the coziest place from which to observe the town’s frequent rain showers. The Conservatorium isn’t only a lodge — it’s a chunk of historical past.
Paulus Potterstraat 50, 1071 DB Amsterdam, Netherlands
What To Do & The place To Store
Salon Heleen Hulsmann
Meticulously curated designer classic is the secret at Salon Heleen Hulsmann. The small however well-stocked store presents loads of Dries Van Noten, Céline, Alaïa, Jil Sander, and extra; look no additional for procuring funding items of a lifetime.
Jacob Obrechtstraat 18, 1071 KL Amsterdam, Netherlands
Gimme Glitter
Designer baggage that always solely stay in The RealReal’s favorites tab exist right here, within the bodily retailer, in all their glory. Come for coveted purses like Dior’s saddle bag to Louis Vuitton Murakami (at pretty affordable value factors!) together with flashy items and units from noughties favorites like Roberto Cavalli and Versace.
Herenstraat 19, 1015 BZ Amsterdam, Netherlands
Van Gogh Museum
Whereas the Dutch masters stay within the Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam’s must-see artwork assortment could be discovered across the nook within the Van Gogh Museum. It’s right here that guests not solely see his lesser recognized works, however come away with a deeper understanding for one of many best painters in artwork historical past. I discovered the expertise shifting past the artwork; Van Gogh is each lauded and humanized inside these partitions. I extremely suggest reserving an enthused artwork tour to depart with a newfound appreciation of magnificence, sensitivity, and empathy.
Museumplein 6, 1071 DJ Amsterdam, Netherlands
Vondelpark
On the emotional coronary heart of each nice metropolis is its public park, and Amsterdam’s Vondelpark is a picturesque microcosm of the town. The inexperienced area is huge — excellent for an idle stroll, a run, birdwatching, or the all the time satisfying people-watching. Vondelpark’s public artwork spotlight occurs to be Picasso’s Fish, an enormous, delightfully absurd fish sculpture. Those that stroll by the park with out headphones are handled to the park’s most peculiar residents: a colony of untamed parakeets, who fly by — typically and loudly — in hallucinatory flashes of acid inexperienced.
Amsterdam, Netherlands
Akasha Spa
The Conservatorium already seems like its personal world, and descending into the Akasha Spa seems like a suspension of time and area. The spa’s therapies are rooted in Ayurveda, created to align the chakras and promote a way of readability. Jap philosophy apart, it’s a spot to get an extremely enjoyable therapeutic massage. Past therapies, the Akasha Spa additionally boasts a tranquil lap pool, in addition to saunas, steam rooms, and a conventional Turkish hammam. A couple of hours spent within the heat of the Akasha Spa brings instantaneous good karma.
Paulus Potterstraat 50, 1071 DB Amsterdam, Netherlands
Discover “The Tradition”
Amsterdam has lengthy been a favourite vacation spot for 19 yr olds learning overseas for apparent causes; its espresso store tradition is a magnet for giggly stoners, whereas its famed pink gentle district is each surreal and foolish. Personally, strolling by the latter and seeing how these typically harshly-judged ladies had been additionally largely bored on their telephones made me really feel like we had been all linked by one thing larger, no matter which facet of the glass we stood on.
The place To Go Out
Parallel
Parallel’s occasion curation is expansive — exhibitions, concert events, readings, and membership nights have a house right here. The latter has constructed a repute for bringing the get together each time, with DJ lineups boasting probably the most thrilling acts from trance to techno and past.
Buiksloterweg 5C, Amsterdam, Netherlands
De College
Partying in an deserted college is already a cinematic idea, and De College elevates it to new heights. A favourite amongst locals, it’s extra importantly has all bases lined for a legendary evening out; not solely is there a sublime bar and restaurant, however the membership can also be the vacation spot for Europe’s best avant-garde and underground DJs. A leisurely dinner adopted by an evening of dancing with out a number of places? Perfection.
Physician Jan van Breemenstraat 1-3 1056 AB Amsterdam, Netherlands
How To Get There
Amsterdam’s most slept-on high quality is the benefit of its journey, which for many, begins at Schiphol Airport situated lower than 20 minutes from the town’s middle. It’s much more of a breeze for these flying direct to Amsterdam from JFK through JetBlue’s newest transatlantic flight route. Since its inaugural flight on August 29, the airline presents a number of direct flights each day from New York Metropolis to Amsterdam; those that want to kick off their trip from the air can go for JetBlue’s Mint seating, which boasts seats that convert into totally flat beds, privateness doorways, a large display screen tv, luxurious facilities to remain refreshed and relaxed, and attractive chef-curated meals and cocktails that really feel all of the extra unreal at 30,000 ft within the air.
