Sofitel Legend The Grand Amsterdam

“Grand luxury and historic experience in the heart of Amsterdam”

We stayed for couple of nights in July 2024 while attending scientific congress in Amsterdam. Hotel location is absolutely great – right in the heart of Amsterdam, surrounded on both sides by picturesque canals, only 3-5 min walk to Royal Palace on Dam Square, Red Light district is just around the … more

We stayed for couple of nights in July 2024 while attending scientific congress in Amsterdam. Hotel location is absolutely great – right in the heart of Amsterdam, surrounded on both sides by picturesque canals, only 3-5 min walk to Royal Palace on Dam Square, Red Light district is just around the corner and Main railway station is 10-15 min by foot, while nearest underground station which links directly with airport is just 3 min by foot – you can hardly ask for something better in terms of location. Hotel occupies several very nice traditional architecture buildings, oldest of which dates back to the beginning of 15th century and really “breaths history” – during different periods complex was serving as convent, then Royal Family residences (since 1578), and military headquarters, for a very long period – 180 years – complex was used as Amsterdam’s City Hall (from the beginning of 19th century till 1988). It was converted to hotel by Sofitel in 1992 and serving guests for more than 30 years ever since then! Our check-in was very nice and quick – being ALL Platinum member I was upgraded to very nice Governor Suite in the Canal house building – worse mentioning that hotel is currently undergoing major renovation and all rooms planned to be renovated in 2025. Canal house was not yet renovated at the time of our stay and nevertheless Suite was just gorgeous – nice and bright generously sized living room with big windows overlooking nice canal with separate kitchenette area (full equipped), bright and airy bedroom again with big windows overlooking calm canal, and super comfy Sofitel My Bed (my absolute favourite among hotel beds to the extent that I have good part of it at home as well 😉), huge bathroom with bathtub and separate walk-in shower as well as separate second WC with small wash-basin. Hotel has plenty of wardrobes in different areas. All amenities (from fluffy bathrobe and slippers to luxury bathroom line goods from Dyptique ) are top notch and what you expect from the Legendary luxury hotel. Room (as well as all hotels grounds) was kept spotlessly clean and we did have turn-down service every evening. Also every suite comes with private Butler which is available 24/7 to address any of your questions or fulfil any requests. We did have breakfast served in the hotel’s restaurant – selection was great as well as quality of products. They even on my request served me my favourite - strawberries with whipped cream and chocolate sauce despite none of ingredients were on display – another example of high class hotel service. We also did use Royal Dutchman bar at the hotel for drinks – it offers not only selection of international well-known cocktails and spirits, while also some of the cocktails which were invented by hotel’s bartender’s, and they are very tasty – definitely worth trying or cocktails lovers. We used hotel’s pool – it is located in SPA area, although not very big is usually not crowded at all and so has very intimate and nice atmosphere for relaxation. Hotel also offers historic tours – I was later to the scheduled one, however private butler was kind enough to organize for us private tour – it was really exciting and full of history – we were shown all the main historic places including old burgomaster office, private room which was used for weddings, wonderful marble staircase with famous stained glass painting which was a gift from Rotterdam to Amsterdam, wonderful inner courtyard of the hotel which is the oasis of greenery and where one can relax form hustle and bustle of the hard day, as well as main hall where in the past City Hall was having their sittings while also where Royal wedding occurred on 10 Mar 1966. All in all we truly enjoyed our stay in this historic property and even one small unpleasant thing we did experience (on last night it was an issue with functioning of air-conditioner) to hotel’s credit was very professionally addressed – they did everything in their power to rectify the situation – from offering mobile air-conditioners which they brought to the Suite to providing certain compliments for inconveniences caused – very professional way of managing the unpleasant situation and kudos to the hotel Team and special thanks to Raluca (Front office manager) who was helping us with this case as well as then was kin d enough to offer her support after our check-out when I realized that I forgot my coat in the Suite – they passed it to our relative who was still in Amsterdam. Summarizing, we definitely can recommend Sofitel Legend The Grand to all those looking for a luxury and memorable stay in the heart of Amsterdam.

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