Hotel JL No76

Cool but casual boutique hotel in a pair of converted 18th-century mansions, set in the heart of Amsterdam’s museum and fashion district

From the outside, the elegant townhouses which form Hotel JL No76 (the name is an abbreviation of the address - Jan Luijkenstraat 76) look like every other building on this leafy residential street. But step inside and you enter a stylish and contemporary haven, newly created in May 2011. Upstairs are 39 rooms with cutting-edge touches - vibrant wallpaper created by Dutch artist Barbara Broekman, super sleek bathrooms, plenty of technology. This cool design continues downstairs, where funky modern art abounds. Yet the ambiance is distinctly laid-back: the serve-yourself cappuccino machine and honesty bar in the lounge are perfect for a post-sightseeing slump, and the restaurant buzzes with conversation. Relax in a comfy armchair, flick through the selection of newspapers, or take a drink out to the little courtyard garden.

Bicycles and Vespa scooters are available to rent, but the hotel is only a short walk from the city’s top museums, the designer boutiques of P.C. Hooftstraat and the buzzy nightlife of Leidseplein, as well as world-class concert hall Concertgebouw and the green expanse of Vondelpark. All in all, a hip, homely and highly convenient base for exploring Amsterdam.

Highs

• The imaginative design amuses the eye: oriental rugs sit under contemporary paintings, Buddha statues next to quirky animal sculptures
• Central location that's ideal for style-seekers and culture vultures, but families are welcome too
• We loved the bathrooms; all have rain showers, and Executive Rooms and above come with jacuzzi bathtubs and TVs to watch while you soak
• The pretty garden provides a lovely sanctuary in the city - if weather permits, start your day with breakfast in the sun
• Friendly, helpful staff who will advise on what to see and how to get there

Lows

• Rooms near reception and the lifts can be noisy
• The restaurant’s lunch and dinner menu is quite limited, but there are plenty of eateries nearby
• Some rooms are located in the basement and have small windows with views of passing feet
• The showers can be slow to drain
• We’ve heard mixed reports about breakfast, but we enjoyed it