The Toren is a four-star hotel of 40 rooms in two 17th-century canal houses on the Keizersgracht, three minutes on foot from the Anne Frank House and the Westerkerk. Its rooms are dark, rich and theatrical, and no two are alike. It suits couples who want a romantic canal-house stay, and who do not mind steep stairs.
The Toren, Amsterdam by The Pavilions at a glance
| Address | Keizersgracht 164, 1015 CZ Amsterdam |
|---|---|
| Category | 4 stars, The Pavilions Hotels & Resorts |
| Rooms | 40 rooms and suites, in two houses a few steps apart |
| Neighbourhood | Canal belt, near the Westerkerk |
| Nearest tram | Dam, trams 2, 4, 14, 17 and 24: 6 min walk · Paleisstraat, trams 2 and 24: 9 min walk |
| Nearest metro | Rokin (52): 15 min · Nieuwmarkt (51, 53, 54): 17 min |
| Nearest train station | Amsterdam Centraal: 18 min on foot (1.3 km), or by tram or metro |
| Schiphol Airport | Train to Amsterdam Centraal, then an 18-minute walk or a tram to the Dam |
| Stairs | Steep historic staircases; not suitable for wheelchairs |
| Food and drink | Lounge bar, also the breakfast room; no restaurant |
| Check-in / check-out | From 15:00 / check-out times differ by source, so confirm with the hotel |
| Pets | No |
| Parking | No garage; paid street parking or nearby public garages |
Checked in November 2026 against the hotel’s own website and booking sites. Walking times from OpenStreetMap routing.
Why stay at The Toren
The houses were built in the 17th century for merchants of the Golden Age, and their later residents included Abraham Kuyper, who founded the VU University and became prime minister in 1901. During the Second World War the house was a hiding place, and all twenty people who sheltered there survived.
The Toren family turned no. 164 into a hotel in 1968 and ran it for almost fifty years before selling it to The Pavilions in 2016. The interior is baroque and dramatic: dark colours, rich fabrics, bold wallpaper and, in many rooms, a whirlpool bath for two.
The lounge bar has a ceiling mural inspired by Rembrandt, painted by art students from Leiden, where Rembrandt studied. At the back is a quiet garden, with a cottage room among the plants.
The rooms: what you should know before booking
Read the room description carefully before you book; these are the points that matter most here.
- Stairs. These are 17th-century canal houses with steep, narrow staircases, and sources disagree on whether every room can be reached by lift. The hotel is not suitable for wheelchair users. If stairs are difficult, contact the hotel before booking.
- Size. Rooms vary a lot, from cosy singles of about 11 m² to suites of about 46 m². Only some rooms face the canal, so choose the category carefully.
- Two houses. The hotel is spread over a main house and a second house a short walk away. Ask which house your room is in.
- House rules. No pets and no stag or hen parties.
Restaurants, bars and facilities
The Toren lounge bar
A cocktail and lounge bar that is also the breakfast room, with snacks and light dishes. There is no full restaurant, but the Jordaan and the Nine Streets are full of places to eat.
The garden
A quiet courtyard garden behind the house.
Getting there and getting around
From Schiphol Airport
Take the train to Amsterdam Centraal (14 to 19 minutes). From there it is about 18 minutes on foot, or take tram 2, 4, 14, 17 or 24 to the Dam and walk six minutes. With luggage and the stairs in mind, a taxi is worth considering.
Getting around
The Dam, with trams in every direction, is six minutes on foot. The nearest metro is at Rokin, about 15 minutes away, so you will mostly walk.
Nearest stops
| Stop | Walk to the hotel · lines |
|---|---|
| Dam | 6 min (480 m) · trams 2, 4, 14, 17 and 24 |
| Paleisstraat | 9 min (650 m) · trams 2 and 24 |
| Marnixplein | 11 min (790 m) · trams 5 and 12 |
| Rokin (metro) | 15 min (1.2 km) · metro 52 |
| Nieuwmarkt (metro) | 17 min (1.3 km) · metros 51, 53 and 54 |
| Amsterdam Centraal (train) | 18 min (1.3 km) · trains to Schiphol and the rest of the Netherlands |
Walking times measured with OpenStreetMap routing, November 2026. Lines as in the GVB timetable.
What is around The Toren
| Place | Walk from the hotel · why go |
|---|---|
| Westerkerk | 3 min (220 m) · The church tower above the Anne Frank House |
| Anne Frank House | 3 min (230 m) · Tickets only online, released six weeks ahead |
| Noordermarkt | 8 min (620 m) · Saturday farmers’ market and Monday flea market |
| Dam Square and the Royal Palace | 9 min (640 m) · The city’s main square, with the 17th-century palace on one side |
| The Nine Streets | 10 min (710 m) · Small independent shops across four canals |
| Houseboat Museum | 10 min (780 m) · Walk through a houseboat on the Prinsengracht |
| Museum of the Canals | 13 min (1 km) · How the canal ring was planned and built |
| Oude Kerk | 14 min (1 km) · Amsterdam’s oldest building, with a tower climb |
| Nieuwmarkt | 17 min (1.3 km) · Square with the medieval Waag and its cafés |
Staying here in winter
The Westerkerk and the canals around the hotel are part of the walking routes of the Amsterdam Light Festival (26 November 2026 to 17 January 2027). A dark, candlelit lounge and a whirlpool bath make this one of the cosiest winter addresses on the canal belt.
Frequently asked questions
Does The Toren Amsterdam have a lift?
Sources disagree, and some rooms are reached only by steep historic stairs. The hotel is not suitable for wheelchair users. Contact the hotel before booking if stairs are a problem.
How far is The Toren from the Anne Frank House?
About three minutes on foot.
Does The Toren have a restaurant?
No. It has a lounge bar that is also the breakfast room. There are many restaurants in the Jordaan and the Nine Streets nearby.
What is the nearest tram stop to The Toren, Amsterdam by The Pavilions?
The nearest tram stop to The Toren, Amsterdam by The Pavilions is Dam, served by trams 2, 4, 14, 17 and 24, about 6 minutes on foot. The nearest metro station is Rokin (52), about 15 minutes away.
Who lived in the house of The Toren?
The houses were built for 17th-century merchants. Later residents included statesman Abraham Kuyper, and during the Second World War the house was a hiding place, and all twenty people who sheltered there survived.
Are pets allowed at The Toren?
No, pets are not allowed.
Other hotels nearby
Compare the whole area on our canal belt hotels page, or start with where to stay in Amsterdam.