Rosewood Amsterdam Review: A Beautiful New Luxury Hotel (That's Not Quite Family-Friendly Yet)
I've been traveling to the Netherlands regularly for the past decade, and in recent years I've made a point of staying at a different hotel in Amsterdam each time I visit. Part curiosity, part professional responsibility, part highly specific personality defect.
I was especially excited for this stay at Rosewood Amsterdam. It's one of the most anticipated openings in the city, and I booked at the full rate with Rosewood Elite benefits, the same way my clients would.
Rosewood Amsterdam is set along the Prinsengracht in the city's historic canal district and is housed in a landmark building that was once the city's Palace of Justice, fully restored after a decade-long renovation. It opened in May 2025.
At a Glance
First Impressions and Pre-Arrival Experience
The flowers at the checkin desk were beautiful
Before we even arrived, there was a moment where I nearly canceled the reservation.
I had reached out to note that we were celebrating my husband's birthday a week early and asked, very reasonably, if our room might be ready mid-afternoon. Not urgently on arrival, just in time to freshen up before dinner after a swim with our son.
The response from reservations was not what I expected. They initially couldn't locate the booking and then added:
“Kindly note that our Asaya Spa is available for children between 8:00 am and 10:00 am.”
At first, I thought this meant there had to be some misunderstanding, because limiting children to a two-hour morning window at a luxury city hotel felt so out of step with how families actually travel.
Or possibly it was a typo. Or perhaps a social experiment designed to test how quickly a travel advisor can spiral.
The Pool Policy
I called the Waldorf Astoria, the Conservatorium, which is now a Mandarin Oriental, and De L'Europe to sanity-check the policy. All three confirmed regular pool access for children during their standard opening hours.
After speaking with my Rosewood sales contact, the hotel extended children's pool hours to 8am to 4pm. An improvement, and I appreciated that the team listened. But it still felt like a compromise that doesn't quite reflect how families actually use a city hotel.
Most families in Amsterdam are out during the day. Museums, walking, sightseeing, adjusting to jet lag, quietly bribing children with pastries. The swim usually happens in the late afternoon before dinner, or even after dinner, especially in summer when the sun doesn't set until close to 10pm.
A pool that effectively closes to families at 4pm means that unless you structure your entire day around it, you don't really have access to it in the way most families expect.
The hotel reassured me that families are important to them, and I believe that intention is there. But this particular policy still needs to catch up.
Traveling with kids?
If Rosewood doesn't sound like the right fit, I can help you find the Amsterdam hotel that is. Tell me about your trip.
Rooms and Design
The doorstoppers in the lobby
Once we arrived, the experience improved in many ways.
The overall design feels very much like a modern art museum, with installations throughout the hotel and a strong visual point of view. With 134 rooms inside a 17th-century building that took a decade and reportedly €100 million to restore, the property feels both very new and very old at once. The building's history as a former courthouse adds a slightly dramatic, almost cinematic layer to the experience.
The art collection is the part that surprised me. There are more than 1,000 works on the property, including a Maarten Baas grandmother clock in the lobby paired with a grandfather clock on the second floor (both real-time video performances by the Dutch artist), a Casper Braat art vending machine selling limited-edition marble objects of stroopwafels and canal houses, and a multipart Studio Molen sculpture called Statica near the entrance, which my son found endlessly entertaining.
We were upgraded to a beautiful, spacious canal-facing room. It was new, clean, high-tech, and very comfortable, with excellent air conditioning and a quiet, well-insulated feel from within the hotel itself. There was a proper walk-in closet with plenty of room for clothes and luggage, which always makes a difference on a longer or more layered trip.
Loved the soaking tub and the rain shower was perfect with excellent water pressure
The bathroom was especially strong: the bath and shower were everything you could want, generous and beautifully done, with heated floors and Votary amenities. Though very grey in that distinctly Dutch way that makes you feel like every bathroom and kitchen in the Netherlands quietly agreed on the same palette.
They had Dyson blow dryers, which is always a small luxury I appreciate. The bedding (600-thread Rivolta Carmignani linens with a pillow menu) lives up to the press-trip hype. But oddly, there was no full-length mirror anywhere in the room, which feels like an oversight at this level.
The welcome amenity was lovely, and overall the room was a place you genuinely wanted to spend time in.
Asaya Spa and Wellness
The pool and hot tub at the new Rosewood Amsterdam
The Asaya Spa at Rosewood Amsterdam is physically a highlight. A 12-meter warm indoor pool large enough for laps, a proper hydrotherapy hot tub, both steam and dry saunas, infused waters, and small cabanas. Treatments draw from Subtle Energies (Ayurvedic), Barbara Sturm (facials), and the Dutch sea-based skincare brand The|Tides. It's a beautiful, well-designed space.
And yet, I found myself constantly aware that we might be slightly unwelcome there with our son.
No one said anything outright. The staff were polite. But the tone of the space, combined with the policy, created a feeling that every bit of noise required an apology. Which is not ideal when traveling with a child, because children are basically tiny noise machines with opinions about milk.
At one point, I intentionally stayed past the 4pm cutoff, just to see how it would be handled. Not because I enjoy being difficult, although my husband may dispute this, but because I was imagining a client who had booked a suite or two connecting rooms for a family trip. Nothing dramatic happened, but the fact that I felt the need to test it tells you something.
Noise and Sleep Quality
We were also celebrating my husband's birthday during the stay, and I had mentioned this in advance along with a request for a quiet room.
To their credit, we were upgraded, and the welcome was warm. However, “quiet” is worth clarifying.
It was a beautiful Saturday night, and our room faced a lively stretch with bars across the canal. With our windows closed, we could still clearly hear the music and crowd noise from the bars across the canal, whose doors and windows were open to the night.
My son was asleep by 8:45, which felt like a small miracle. But the noise was noticeable enough that I called downstairs. A manager came up promptly, which I appreciated, and they were already preparing another room for us if needed. They explained that it's considered a residential area and that the noise would die down early.
I hoped that meant 10pm.
It did not.
The music and crowd noise continued until around midnight. My husband and son both slept through it. I did not, because apparently my superpower is hearing bass through historic canal-facing charm.
This is not necessarily a flaw, but it is something to be aware of. If you are a very light sleeper, or traveling with children, I would be quite specific about room placement and request a courtyard-facing room. It's a romantic view, but not a silent one.
Breakfast and Service
Breakfast at Eeuwen, the all-day restaurant, was a completely different tone.
Excellent. My egg white omelet with Gouda was genuinely delicious, and the service could not have been more attentive or kind. This was especially appreciated as I sat there slightly exhausted while my son had a deeply committed emotional response to the milk selection. He has historically accepted whole milk, skim milk, and most forms of civilization. On this particular morning, only 2% would do.
The team handled it all with grace.
We didn't have the chance to try the other restaurants, but the bones look promising. Eeuwen leans seasonal and Dutch (think North Sea seafood and local produce). Advocatuur, the cocktail bar, distills its own jenever (PrØvo) on site, and the drinks list nods cheekily to the building's judicial past, with cocktails called J'Accuse, Lady of Justice, and Mercy. The Court, the lobby's all-day cafe, was busy with neighborhood regulars throughout our stay, which is unusual for hotel public spaces in Amsterdam.
Based on breakfast alone, I would expect food and service to be a strong point of the hotel.
Where It Sits in the City
The address (Prinsengracht 432 to 436) puts you in the heart of the Canal Ring, on the lively side. It's about a 5-minute walk to the Anne Frank House, 10 minutes to the Rijksmuseum and Van Gogh Museum, 15 minutes to Vondelpark, and immediate access to De 9 Straatjes (the Nine Streets), which is where I'd direct most first-time visitors for shopping and a long lunch.
Schiphol is roughly 20 minutes by car, or a short train to Centraal followed by a 10-minute taxi. The hotel offers private transfers, which are complimentary on arrival and departure for guests booking a Suite or House through Rosewood Elite.
For a longer trip plan, see my 7-day Amsterdam itinerary.
Rosewood Amsterdam vs Waldorf Astoria, Pulitzer, and The Dylan
Amsterdam is a compact city, but where you stay subtly changes the entire rhythm of your trip. All four of these hotels sit within the canal belt, but they feel very different once you're actually living in them.
Who Each Hotel Is Best For
Rosewood Amsterdam is best for design-focused travelers, couples, and anyone who prioritizes space, art, and a strong sense of place. This is for someone who wants a new luxury hotel in Amsterdam that feels current, considered, and visually distinct, with Studio Piet Boon interiors and an art collection that genuinely matters.
Waldorf Astoria Amsterdam is best for first-time visitors, families, and travelers who want seamless, polished, traditional luxury. It remains one of the city's most consistent luxury experiences, set across six historic canal palaces on the quieter Herengracht.
Pulitzer Amsterdam is best for return visitors, families, and travelers who want charm and personality over formality. It feels like living in Amsterdam rather than staying in a hotel, with a more relaxed neighborhood atmosphere. Full review: Pulitzer Amsterdam.
The Dylan Amsterdam is best for couples and repeat travelers who want something smaller, more intimate, and highly personal. This is where you go when you don't need to be impressed, you just want to feel quietly taken care of.
Location at a Glance
Rosewood Amsterdam (Prinsengracht): in the UNESCO-listed Canal District, close to the Nine Streets and cultural highlights. Central and dynamic, with more energy and occasional weekend noise.
Waldorf Astoria Amsterdam (Herengracht): on what's often called the most prestigious and quietest canal, the “Gentleman's Canal.” Discreet, residential, consistently calm.
Pulitzer Amsterdam (Prinsengracht and Keizersgracht, Jordaan edge): deeply embedded in the city's most charming neighborhood. The most walkable and local-feeling of the four.
The Dylan Amsterdam (Keizersgracht): tucked away just enough to feel peaceful, but still central. The kind of location that feels like you discovered it, rather than checked into it.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | Rosewood Amsterdam | Waldorf Astoria Amsterdam | Pulitzer Amsterdam | The Dylan Amsterdam |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Design | Modern, art-driven, architectural | Classic, refined, traditional luxury | Charming, eclectic, neighborhood-feel | Boutique, understated, design-forward |
| Spa & Pool | Asaya Spa is beautiful, but restricted for kids | Full access, family-friendly | Limited spa focus | Small, intimate wellness |
| Rooms | Spacious, design-forward (31 to 42 sqm) | Elegant, traditional | Varied, boutique-style | Stylish, smaller, well-edited |
| Family Fit | Selective | Strong | Strong | Better for couples |
| Service Consistency | Improving | Very strong | Consistently warm | Highly personal |
| Location Feel | Lively canal, slightly social | Quiet, prestigious, residential | Neighborhood, walkable | Quiet, tucked-away central |
The Real Takeaway
If you want design, space, and something new: Rosewood. If you want effortless luxury and zero friction: Waldorf Astoria. If you want charm, warmth, and a sense of living in Amsterdam: Pulitzer. If you want intimate, quietly exceptional boutique luxury: The Dylan.
Or said more simply:
Rosewood is where you go to feel impressed. Waldorf is where you go to feel taken care of. Pulitzer is where you go to feel at home. The Dylan is where you go when you already know what you're doing.
The Advisor Take
One small but important service note: I had mentioned in advance that we were celebrating my husband's birthday. It was only acknowledged at check-in when the team member reviewing his passport noticed the date, clearly by accident.
My husband did not care. I did not personally care. But as someone who books travel for others, I would care if a birthday trip went largely unacknowledged.
That is the lens I bring to hotel reviews. Some things may not affect my own stay, but they matter very much for the people I send.
Final Thoughts
Rosewood Amsterdam is beautiful, and there is a lot the hotel does well. The rooms are excellent, the spa is visually striking, breakfast was lovely, and several members of the team were genuinely kind and responsive.
Given how strong the fundamentals are, this feels like a hotel that could become exceptional once a few operational details are refined.
For now, I would be selective about recommending it to families until the pool policy evolves.
A hotel can say families are welcome.
The experience has to match.
Compared to properties like the Waldorf Astoria Amsterdam or Pulitzer Amsterdam, which feel more naturally accommodating to families, Rosewood Amsterdam still feels like it is defining that balance.
Perhaps if that changes, I would consider returning.
For now, it's one to watch.
Especially if you're traveling without kids.
Book Rosewood Amsterdam through Sebastian Luxe Travel
When I book your stay through my Rosewood Elite partnership, you receive these benefits at no extra cost.
- Daily a la carte breakfast for two
- €100 hotel credit per room, or €200 on Suites and Signature Houses
- Priority room upgrade on arrival, subject to availability
- Roundtrip private airport transfers on Suite or House bookings
- A welcome amenity selected by the hotel
FAQ: Rosewood Amsterdam
Is Rosewood Amsterdam worth it?
Yes, particularly for couples and design-focused travelers. It is one of the most visually compelling new luxury hotels in Amsterdam, though still refining service consistency in its first full year of operation.
Is Rosewood Amsterdam family-friendly?
Partially. Families are welcome and there are connecting rooms, in-room kids' amenities, and a Young Explorer's Guide. But pool access for children is currently limited to 8am to 4pm, which is more restrictive than other luxury hotels in the city. For families, I would book selectively and request a courtyard-facing room.
Where is Rosewood Amsterdam located?
At Prinsengracht 432 to 436, in the UNESCO-listed Canal District. It is roughly a 5-minute walk to the Anne Frank House, 10 minutes to the Rijksmuseum and Van Gogh Museum, 15 minutes to Vondelpark, and steps from De 9 Straatjes (the Nine Streets).
Does Rosewood Amsterdam have a pool?
Yes. The Asaya Spa includes a 12-meter indoor pool, hydrotherapy hot tub, sauna, and steam room. Children's access is currently restricted to 8am to 4pm.
When did Rosewood Amsterdam open?
May 2025, after a roughly decade-long restoration of the former Palace of Justice, reportedly costing in the region of €100 million.
Who designed Rosewood Amsterdam?
Amsterdam-based Studio Piet Boon designed the interiors. The hotel's art program features more than 1,000 works including pieces by Maarten Baas, Frank Stella, Sterling Ruby, and Damien Hirst.
How far is Rosewood Amsterdam from Schiphol Airport?
About 20 minutes by car. Trains from Schiphol to Amsterdam Centraal run frequently for around €5.20, followed by a short taxi to the hotel. Complimentary roundtrip private transfers are available when booking a Suite or House through Rosewood Elite.
What's the difference between Rosewood Amsterdam and Waldorf Astoria Amsterdam?
Rosewood is the newer, more design-driven property in a livelier section of the canal belt. Waldorf Astoria is set across six historic palaces on the quieter Herengracht and offers more traditional, family-friendly luxury, with no current restrictions on the spa or pool.
Are rooms at Rosewood Amsterdam large?
Yes. Entry-level rooms range from approximately 31 to 42 square meters, which is generous for Amsterdam, where historic canal buildings often translate to compact accommodations.
Is Rosewood Amsterdam noisy?
Some canal-facing rooms can experience noise, particularly on weekends, when bars across the canal stay open until midnight. Courtyard-facing rooms are quieter and worth requesting if you sleep lightly.
How do I get the best rate at Rosewood Amsterdam?
Through a Rosewood Elite advisor, which is the only way to access the brand's full preferred suite of perks (breakfast, hotel credit, priority upgrade, transfers on suite bookings) without paying more than the best available rate.
Plan Your Dutch Getaway
Book Your Stay: Start planning with us to secure your VIP perks at Rosewood Amsterdam.
See the Itinerary: A Real-Life 7-Day Luxury Itinerary for Amsterdam.
For Families: Pulitzer Amsterdam Review, a more family-friendly alternative in the Nine Streets.
The Family Guide: Amsterdam, Honestly: The Luxury Family Guide to Canals Without Chaos.
