InterContinental Amstel Amsterdam is the city’s grand hotel on the river, a five-star hotel of 79 rooms and suites that opened in 1867. It stands on the east bank of the Amstel, just outside the canal belt, with its own quay and a health club with an indoor pool at river level. It suits travellers who want classic luxury, river views and a quieter address with good transport.
InterContinental Amstel Amsterdam at a glance
| Address | Professor Tulpplein 1, 1018 GX Amsterdam |
|---|---|
| Category | 5 stars, InterContinental (IHG); the hotel calls itself Amstel Hotel Amsterdam |
| Rooms | 79: 55 rooms and 24 suites |
| Neighbourhood | Canal belt, on the east bank of the Amstel |
| Nearest tram | Weesperplein, trams 1, 7 and 19: 3 min walk · Frederiksplein, trams 1, 4, 7 and 19: 6 min walk |
| Nearest metro | Weesperplein (51, 53, 54): 4 min · Wibautstraat (51, 53, 54): 12 min |
| Nearest train station | Amsterdam Centraal: 32 min on foot (2.4 km), or by tram or metro |
| Schiphol Airport | Train to Amsterdam Zuid, then metro 51 to Weesperplein |
| Pool and gym | Indoor pool, sauna, steam cabin and gym in the Amstel Health & Fitness Club |
| Dining | The Dining Room, Amstel Lounge, seasonal Bols Spritz Room |
| Check-in / check-out | From 15:00 / until 12:00 |
| Pets | No, according to the hotel; assistance animals welcome |
| Parking | Valet parking in a secure garage, paid; a private quay for arrival by boat |
Checked in November 2026 against the hotel’s own website and booking sites. Walking times from OpenStreetMap routing.
Why stay at the Amstel
The Amstel was the idea of Samuel Sarphati, the physician and city planner who wanted Amsterdam to have a hotel to rival the great hotels of Paris and London. He died in 1866 and never saw it open in April 1867. The money ran out, and only one of the four planned wings was ever built: the one along the river.
Architect Cornelis Outshoorn designed it, and a storey was added in 1900. The roof and facade were restored to their original colours in 2017–2020, when eight leaping lions were put back on the roof corners.
With only 79 rooms it is smaller than its size from the river suggests, and the service is built around that. Guests can arrive by boat at the hotel’s own quay.
The rooms: what you should know before booking
Read the room description carefully before you book; these are the points that matter most here.
- Views. The best rooms and suites look over the Amstel. Book a river-view category if that is why you are coming.
- Style. The rooms are classic rather than modern. A full renovation has been planned since 2023 but had no fixed start date in 2025.
- Families. Children are welcome, extra beds are charged, and babysitting can be arranged.
- Accessibility. The hotel says it is wheelchair accessible and asks guests to contact reservations for details.
Restaurants, bars and facilities
The Dining Room
The main restaurant with river views, led by chef Wouter Wingelaar since June 2026, with former La Rive chef Robert Kranenborg as adviser. Booking sites may still call it Amstel Restaurant.
Amstel Lounge and the Bols Spritz Room
Afternoon tea is served in the domed lounge from Friday to Sunday. Downstairs, the Bols Spritz Room is a walk-in seasonal bar for autumn and winter.
Amstel Health & Fitness Club
A heated indoor pool at river level, sauna, steam cabin, jacuzzi, plunge pool and gym, with massages on request.
La Rive has closed. The hotel’s Michelin-starred restaurant La Rive closed in 2020. Many guides and booking sites still mention it; the main restaurant today is The Dining Room.
Getting there and getting around
From Schiphol Airport
Take the train to Amsterdam Zuid, then metro 51 to Weesperplein, four minutes from the hotel. Via Amsterdam Centraal, take metro 51, 53 or 54 to Weesperplein.
Getting around
Weesperplein metro and the trams on the Weesperplein are on the doorstep. The Magere Brug, the H’ART Museum and the Rembrandtplein are within a quarter of an hour along the river.
Nearest stops
| Stop | Walk to the hotel · lines |
|---|---|
| Weesperplein | 3 min (250 m) · trams 1, 7 and 19 |
| Frederiksplein | 6 min (440 m) · trams 1, 4, 7 and 19 |
| Weesperplein (metro) | 4 min (300 m) · metros 51, 53 and 54 |
| Wibautstraat (metro) | 12 min (920 m) · metros 51, 53 and 54 |
| Amsterdam Centraal (train) | 32 min (2.4 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 Amstel
| Place | Walk from the hotel · why go |
|---|---|
| Magere Brug | 7 min (510 m) · The white drawbridge over the Amstel, lit at night |
| H’ART Museum | 9 min (680 m) · Exhibitions on the Amstel |
| Heineken Experience | 15 min (1.1 km) · The former brewery on the Stadhouderskade |
| Hortus Botanicus | 15 min (1.1 km) · One of the oldest botanical gardens in the world |
| Museum Van Loon | 16 min (1.2 km) · A merchant house with its own garden and coach house |
| Rembrandtplein | 16 min (1.2 km) · Cafés and terraces; an ice rink in winter |
| Albert Cuyp Market | 16 min (1.2 km) · The long street market in De Pijp |
| Nieuwmarkt | 22 min (1.6 km) · Square with the medieval Waag and its cafés |
| Rijksmuseum | 22 min (1.6 km) · The Night Watch and the national collection |
Staying here in winter
Several artworks of the Amsterdam Light Festival (26 November 2026 to 17 January 2027) are along the Amstel, and the Magere Brug is lit every night. The ice rink on the Rembrandtplein is about 15 minutes on foot.
Frequently asked questions
Is La Rive still open at the Amstel Hotel?
No. La Rive closed in 2020. The hotel’s main restaurant is now The Dining Room.
Does the Amstel Hotel have a pool?
Yes. The Amstel Health & Fitness Club has a heated indoor pool at river level, a sauna, a steam cabin and a gym.
When did the Amstel Hotel open?
On 27 April 1867. It was initiated by Samuel Sarphati, who died the year before it opened.
What is the nearest metro to the Amstel Hotel?
Weesperplein, served by metro 51, 53 and 54, about four minutes on foot.
Are pets allowed at the Amstel Hotel?
According to the hotel, pets are not allowed. Assistance animals are welcome.
Other hotels nearby
Compare the whole area on our canal belt hotels page, or start with where to stay in Amsterdam.