My other business takes me…or at least used to take me…to Amsterdam often. It has now been almost a year since I have been and oddly, I find myself missing amazing Amsterdam more than any other city.
I have a routine in Amsterdam. A favorite hotel, the Hyatt Regency, a favorite coffee (not pot) shop, Bakhuys. Holland is a country I drive in. I no longer need navi when I take Rijksweg 4 to Rotterdam. The people are lovely, the food delicious, and it is a clean and beautiful city. And the architecture…among my favorite in the world.
Albert Dros, a resident of Amsterdam, created a beautiful 4K time lapse video of his city, which is worth five minutes of your time:
The video charts the beauty of the four seasons, the stunning canals, and the gorgeous architecture that make Amsterdam such a unique city.
Check out Dros’s website here, which includes additional info about his project and superb still photos.
I’m a bit of a amateur photographer myself (hey, after over a decade of taking pictures onboard airplanes and visiting 139 countries you do learn something…) and would love to re-create a similar series for Los Angeles. With 4K (and even 8K) technology readily available, the only thing required is patience, plenty of hard drive space, and a good eye for photos.
In the meantime, I cannot wait to return to amazing Amsterdam.
What city do you hope to visit most once pandemic restrictions are lifted?
@ Matthew — Amsterdam is my favorite city. I am amazed that our tastes seem to be so similar. We share a love for LX F, the LH First Class Terminal, Amsterdam, and the Willard. These are my very favorite travel experiences. You really should try out the Amstel Hotel in Amsterdam. It is right up there with the Willard in my book.
Gene, I truly love the Hyatt but would love to try the Amstel. Maybe next time you and FCQ are there, I can join you and pinch off your breakfast benefits. 😉
@ Matthew — It is so nice to have free breakfast at La Rive looking out at the Amstel River! That is my favorite part of staying at this hotel.
I wonder if their restaurant is even open? I don’t know what to expect of a hotel stay these days. I assume no food, so anything will be a surprise.
I’ve been a fan of the Amstel since 1973, though in recent years the breakfast buffet has gotten smaller and less interesting. During a four-night stay in February I thought the offerings surprisingly skimpy for such a prestigious hotel.
Service at breakfast was disappointingly hit-or-miss as well. Several of the staff seemed rather disinterested and I wasn’t keen on the fact that one waiter barely out of his teens referred several times to my husband and me a “you guys”; as in “Would you guys like coffee?” We’re both 70 years old. Smiling, I said as nicely as I could “I think you mean ‘Would you gentlemen like coffee?'” He looked taken aback, but we weren’t called “guys” again.
One aspect of breakfast at the Amstel that never fails to please is the parade of passing boats, and the swans, ducks and coots that paddle along just outside the windows.
In the evening the Amstel’s A Bar is a great spot to unwind with a cocktail. Don’t miss ordering a small plate of the spicy Bitterballen!
You’ll always be a gentleman in my book, Kenneth!
Matthew,
Amsterdam is my favorite city in the world as well. My plans were to celebrate my 50th Birthday with a group of friends During Amsterdam Pride which lands on my birthday. Unfortunately Covid19 destroyed those plans and cancelled Amsterdam Pride as well. Such a milestone birthday for me since I was a person who grew up not celebrating my birthday due to my Mother’s religious beliefs. I will just have to make it for my 55th or 60th! Be safe!
Let me be the first to wish you a happy 50th Peter. I hope you make it back to Amsterdam sooner rather than later.
A little tongue in cheek here but what’s wrong with the pot coffee shops? I don’t visit often but it’s kind of like eating rijsttafel in that it’s a tradition while visiting. That said, nice city. Any brief thoughts on Rotterdam in comparison?
Nothing wrong with them, I just cannot stand the smell.
I greatly prefer Amsterdam to Rotterdam. While Rotterdam is often more convenient for my work, I’d rather make the drive back to Amsterdam. Rotterdam is more spread out and has less architectural charm.
I find Hamburg to be more charming than Amsterdam. Maybe it’s apples and oranges. Hamburg has more bridges inside its city limits than any other city in the world and more canals than Amsterdam and Venice combined.
Hamburg is a fantastic city. And it has The Fontenay; one of my favorite hotels in Europe. Plus, who can resist Miniatur Wunderland?
I , too, find Hamburg a hundred times more interesting . Amsterdam is dreary: a couple of nice galleries; ultra boring churches in the Calvinist/ Dutch Reform style. Truly awful weather. The people are nice but that doesn’t make up for the grimy greyness of the place…it’s a bit like a poor man’s Berlin.
Don’t get me wrong, I love Hamburg, but you have to appreciate the beautiful and unique architecture of Amsterdam.
I was surprised by how much I enjoyed the Hyatt Regency Amsterdam last spring. When I initially looked on the website prior to booking, the rooms looked nice, although a bit plain, so I decided to use a Globalist suite upgrade. When I checked in, the front desk person called the manager over, who informed me that I had been upgraded to the Spinoza (Presidential) Suite, easily the nicest upgrade I’ve ever received through Hyatt. While the lounge evening offerings were not as extensive as at some locations, I actually found this to be my favorite evening lounge offerings of any Hyatt other than the Grand Hyatt Kauai. They always had four very tasty salads, including 1 with chicken breast, 1 with seafood and 2 all vegetarian, along with cold cuts, cheese, desserts and free beverages. This location also had some of the nicest lounge staff I’ve encountered– they were so helpful with travel recommendations and booking tickets to museums and to the Keukenhof Gardens. I also found this to be a very nice location. I would recommend a backside room that has a view of the canal and small park area. They even allow Globalist to have breakfast free in the restaurant, including the buffet and ordering from the menu. The croissants were excellent.
@Matthew: If there is a place I am craving to go back as soon as this stupid virus is gone is Italy. I may be biased but there is no better place on Earth in my opinion. As for Amsterdam, would you mind to share some of your favorite food and restaurants? I never really explored Amsterdam since I was always in and out but I don’t remember having any memorable meal there.
I know I am pathetic, but I’m always there on business and usually just eat room service or the Hyatt’s Indonesian restaurant. I do love Los Pilones:
https://liveandletsfly.com/great-mexican-food-amsterdam/
I dunno, if I had one night in Amsterdam, I would definitely prefer something more local. Or at least, ethnic food that is more a fabric of the city, like a nice Indonesian restaurant.
Obviously if you’re there for longer and have a craving for Mexican, then go for it. But there are so many delicious Dutch dishes one can try first.
If you want a star experience, Spectrum.
For local stuff try Volt at the Ferdinand Bolstraat. It’s French inspired with changing menus all year around. The chef likes to cook with seasonal fresh products and it has normal prices with great service.
If you want to try Japanese, go to EN Japanese Kitchen and Sake Bar, just around the corner from Volt.
If you want more like a bistro/bar kind of feel with some drinks try Lokaal de Pijp or Barasti.
For Thai, it’s Phutakun in thebreguliersdwarsstraat.
Avoid the tourist traps.
And skip on room service. Get out there 🙂
oh Amsterdam, my beautiful city, dwelling on the canals, visiting the nice restaurants, bike around and see the interesting places outside the city, but clean? oh man Amsterdam is so polluted, especially in the residential areas just outside the city center, it is just like we returned to the 80s
One of my favourite towns as well.
Wonderful video, thx for posting 🙂