Amsterdam`s Hidden Gem

your travel
Amsterdam’s Hidden Gem
Housed in a former diamond factory, this chic boutique is the perfect place to relax after a day of cultural enjoyment
on the streets of Amsterdam. Continued on page 56.
Sir Albert’sforged from diamonds
Looking for an exciting winter city break? Good-time city
Amsterdam is the place for you!
years of renovation. It has a huge collection of modern and
contemporary art and design ranging from Van Gogh and
Welcoming and vibrant, Amsterdam is cleaning up its act
Kandinsky to Andy Warhol and Gilbert & George – a must
and although some suspicious mushrooms remain, the city
visit for any art lover. The stunning ‘floating flower market’,
is fast turning into the one-stop destination for urban lovers
Bloemenmarkt is a bright, fragrant attack on the senses
to pop over for a luxurious long weekend.
and the perfect location to enjoy the city’s tulips in all shapes
2013 is an exciting year for the European city, so what
and colours. For those on a long shopping weekend,
better time to visit. Celebrations are in full force for the
the neighbourhood markets offer plenty of authentic fair,
reopening of Rijksmuseum after a ten-year closure earlier
whereas P.C. Hooftstraat, named after the 17th-century poet
this April, the 400th anniversary of the city’s picturesque
and playwright Pieter Cornelisz Hooft, has been an exclusive
canals and Van Gogh’s 160th birthday.
shopping destination since the 1970s. Here you will find
But that’s not all, Amsterdam is a cultural gem. With plenty
big-name designers like Hugo Boss, D&G, MaxMara, Gucci
to see and do, there’s something to appeal to everyone
and many more and an afternoon of people watching in
from Anne Frank’s house to the Stedelijk Museum which
one of the many coffee shops dotted along the canals goes
only reopened last year with a brand new wing after 10 long
without saying.
BA Cityflyer have 19 weekly flights to Amsterdam from London City Airport
The town is changing and with many trendy fashion-
deluxe private mansion. There are four different room types
inspired, boutique B&B’s and hotels popping up it can be
from Sir Boutique up to the magnificent Sir Albert Residence.
hard to choose.
Each comes with bespoke Sir Albert signature bedding
For something extra-special we like the chic Sir Albert.
collection, an iPod docking station, free WiFi, a well-stocked
Recently opened, this smart hotel lies in a former diamond
private bar and goodie box and a Illy espresso-machine by
factory in the fashionable district of De Pijp in the Latin
FrancisFrancis. Nearly all of the 90 rooms offer views of the
Quarter. Amsterdam has been a diamond hotspot since the
De Pijp district or one of Amsterdam’s romantic canals and
16th century when Sephardic Jews introduced the cutting
the onsite spa, gym and study make relaxing a breeze.
process. With this in mind and such a lavish background
Sir Albert Hotel, Albert Cuypstraat 2-6 | 1072 CT Amsterdam | The Netherlands
Sir Albert has transformed the factory from the 19thcentury
it’s easy to see why the hotel has chosen such a luxurious
to a modern boutique retreat that now reflects the lifestyle
interior to match. High ceilings and big windows dominate
of a modern aristocrat in a completely unpretentious way
and owners liken staying in Sir Albert’s to that of a stay in a
making it a perfect base for the well-travelled.
T +31 (0)20 305 3020 | [email protected] | www.siralberthotel.com | www.iamsterdam.com