Hotel V Frederiksplein

Well-priced city hotel with striking lobby and trim rooms, centrally located for museums and shopping

Hotel V seem to have found a winning formula. After opening (and later selling) their pioneering boutique hotel on Victorieplein, they turned their attentions to this cluster of 19th-century listed office and apartment blocks off Frederiksplein. With 48 smart rooms, the result is twice as large as their original hotel, but being spread over four buildings, it doesn't feel big. It's also more centrally located: there is a tram stop right outside and it’s only a few stops to the major museums. So that's a pretty good start.

Inside it’s the impressive lobby that really grabs your attention: a curved chocolate leather sofa faces an unusual circular copper fireplace, while floor-to-ceiling windows with chain-link curtains give expansive views onto the street. The bar/breakfast area has cowhide wall patches and a white leather banquette; the dark-glassed meeting room has free wifi on its Apple computers. It all feels hip without trying too hard.

This is not a city where you are going to loll about in bed all day, so the rooms are functional – not overly elaborate, but with comfy beds and clean, if small, bathrooms. Friendly staff are hired for their knowledge of their city, so take advantage of the helpful team behind the rubber reception desk, explore the Dam and come back for a nightcap around the round fire.

Highs

• Spacious high-ceilinged lobby with unique spherical fireplace lounge, trendy bar & breakfast area and large windows with great street vistas
• Bedrooms designed with a practical eye: understated with a modern minimalism
• Young affable staff who know Amsterdam
• Central location easily accessed by trams and public transport

Lows

• Some bedrooms are small and could do with more storage space; bathrooms have showers only and minimal toiletries
• Only breakfast is served, there is no restaurant in the hotel and the bar serves only small snacks
• Very strict deposit policy: they require full non-refundable payment upfront, but this guarantees you the cheapest rates
• Some street noise from the trams that start about 7am in the morning