Mr & Mrs Smith

Canal House

Amsterdam, Netherlands

Perfectly located Canal House hotel packs contemporary chiaroscuro decor into a brace of 17th-century merchant's houses, channeling the dramatic light, natural textures and rich fabrics of the Dutch Old Masters. Bedrooms are seductive, the breakfasts are delicious, and the courtyard garden's a romantic hideaway.

Need to know

• Rooms 23, including one suite (the Best Room).
• Rates Double rooms from $306.65 (€245), excluding tax at 6 per cent. Please note the hotel charges an additional local city tax of 5% per room per night on checkout.
  Prices have been converted from the hotel's local currency (€245), via XE.com, using today's exchange rate.
• More details Rates usually include buffet breakfast.
• Facilities Courtyard garden, DVD/BluRay library, free WiFi throughout, private dining rooms. In rooms: LCD TV, Blu-ray/DVD player, Bose iPod dock, minibar, free bottled water, full-size Green & Spring bath products, hairdryer, slippers and robes.
• Check-out A generous 12 noon – late check-outs are subject to a fee, though. Earliest check-in, 3pm.
• Children Welcome, although this is a getaway for grown-ups. Cots for infants (free) and extra beds (€50 a night) can be booked for larger rooms; a highchair is available in the breakfast room. Babysitting can be provided with a local nanny.
• Also In-room spa and beauty treatments can be arranged, and personal trainers can be booked via reception, where you'll also find jogging maps, tram tickets and other helpful extras. From late summer 2011, the Summer Room and Garden Room offer private dining.

Food and drink at Canal House

• Hotel restaurant

  Bridging the two merchant's houses is the Great Room, a decadent but intimate space looking out across the garden behind the hotel. A generous buffet breakfast is served here, along with a light menu of snacks (local meats and cheeses, croquettes, smoked salmon, pâté and some sweet nibbles, too) to accompany drinks. 

• Dress code Fashion-savvy APC, Opening Ceremony, Dagmar and Rodebjer.
• Top table Get comfortable on a leather banquette in the lounge for cocktails or a coffee with the Sunday papers. In the Great Room, get a window table for two; when the frescoed, four-seat Summer House is open, it will be an über-romantic spot for private dining.
• Last orders The cocktail bar-slash-reception desk serves until the last guest has headed to bed. Breakfast is served in the Great Room between 7am and 11am.
• Room service Have breakfast brought to your room, or order light snacks after 11am.
• Hotel bar

  With brushed steel stools lined up around theatrically lit counters and a separate lounge area, the Bar at Canal House is atmospheric and attractive. Multiple mirrors, matt black walls and gilded Napoleonic plasterwork set the scene for seduction. Don't miss the signature martini: cinnamon- and mint-infused vodka topped up with cloudy apple juice.

Canal House Keizersgracht 148, Amsterdam, 1015 CX