Amsterdam’s coolest canal house hotel

Compared to Amsterdam itself, the Pulitzer is just a baby, born in 1970. But this hotel is firmly rooted in the city’s history, set within 25 knocked-through canal houses built in the 17th and 18th centuries. Established by Peter Pulitzer (grandson of the founder of the literary prize), this bucket-list hotel is an opulent, art-filled, eclectically furnished rabbit warren of over 200 guest rooms and suites, two restaurants, a bar—and a gem of a courtyard garden. 

When the hotel was acquired by its current owners in 2015, creative director Jacu Strauss moved in, spending a night in every single room to immerse himself in the building’s history and make sure every room was as comfortable as it could be, even designing some of the furniture himself.

There are five Collector’s Suites, each of which are inspired by an imaginary inhabitant from history. But all rooms have thoughtful details like a Pulitzer umbrella, work desk, bike-repair set, and sweet treats on arrival. “The fun of becoming lost in the labyrinth of houses is part of the Pulitzer experience,” says hotel manager Caroline van Kessel. The rich color palettes throughout are taken from Vermeer, and add to the sense of a cozily glamorous secret hideaway. 

While away a long lunch in Pulitzer Garden, where the largely Italian menu is echoed by olive trees and soundtracked by the bells of Westerkerk. At dusk, take a window seat in Pulitzer’s Bar with a warming Chestnut Old Fashioned, an amber-toned and richly scented cocktail that feels like fall in a glass and is the perfect way to start your evening. 

And for dinner, perch on a green velvet banquette in the pale blue paneled room at Jansz, for modern Dutch dishes: The Dutch oysters and North Sea crab toast are house specialties. “Toast with crab is an old Dutch classic,” says chef Jasper Schoon. “We gave it our own twist by adding local ingredients, and fennel and citrus make it fresh.” In spring and summer, transplant to Jansz’s courtyard garden where seven types of rosé are served. 

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