Most of the world’s best hotels offer similar guarantees: excellent service, beautiful accommodations and delicious food, but a few elite properties offer more – a chance to experience something truly unique, if not one-of-a-kind. De L’Europe Amsterdam has that special something; it’s a fine art museum disguised as a luxury hotel. Independently run since 1896, the property reflects the beauty of Holland and its history, particularly the Dutch Golden Age (approx. 1575 –1675) when the Netherlands led the world in trade, science and art.

De L’Europe is located in the heart of Amsterdam on the foundation of the city wall making it an iconic landmark set on the banks of the Amstel River. In 2020, the hotel underwent a complete redesign of its ground floor led by Amsterdam-based interior design studio Nicemakers. The hotel’s expansive lobby is elegant with bespoke furniture, seventeenth-century art and picturesque views of the terrace and river. Design elements include jewel tones, round shapes and soft lines. Stylish seating areas extend to the far end of the main room, and dazzling chandeliers pour down from the ceiling like icing on a cake.

Courtesy of De L’Europe Amsterdam

Courtesy of De L’Europe Amsterdam

Courtesy of De L’Europe Amsterdam

Rooms & Suites

De L’Europe has 111 rooms, suites and signature suites. The rooms feature classic or modern designs, unique layouts, architectural accents, grand windows and stunning views. The décor is inspired by the past with a nod to Dutch masters, like Rembrandt, Vermeer and Hals, but the amenities are inspired by the future with tech-forward conveniences, like Apple TVs, Bose sound bars, motion-detecting floor lighting, Nespresso machines and WIFI. Many rooms have private balconies and terraces overlooking Amsterdam or the inner courtyard, and each room features a dedicated piece of art from the Rijksmuseum.

Courtesy of De L’Europe Amsterdam

Fine Dining

De L’Europe’s restaurants are among the best in Amsterdam. Bord’Eau is the hotel’s Michelin-starred restaurant by executive chef Bas van Kranen. The seasonal menus reflect Kranen’s interest in pure, light cuisine, as well as an affinity for locally-sourced fish and vegetables. The kitchen features eau (fish, crustacean and shellfish), flore (vegetable) and faune (game and organic meat), and the wine cellar has more than 900 labels. Guests can also enjoy Marie, a French brasserie named after the wife of Gerard Heineken. Inspired by the French Riviera, Marie offers a more informal atmosphere in the restaurant or waterfront terrace.

Courtesy of De L’Europe Amsterdam

Courtesy of De L’Europe Amsterdam

The hotel’s bar, Freddy’s Bar, is the perfect place for a nightcap. Named after Alfred “Freddy” Heineken, chairman and CEO of Heineken International between 1971 and 1989, this high-end pub serves spirits, wine and beer alongside savory snacks. House cocktails, like the Dutch Martini, Regal Fizz and New Amsterdam Sour, are made with care, and the well-tended bar attracts travelers and locals alike. Don’t miss the daily jazz performances by the in-house pianist.

Courtesy of De L’Europe Amsterdam

Spa & Wellness Center

For guests looking to unwind, the hotel’s bespoke spa and wellness center is just the spot. Facilities include an indoor pool, Finish sauna, Turkish steam bath and jacuzzi. Le Spa by Skins Institute is designed to pamper and nourish the mind, body and soul with a range of personalized treatments. The fitness studio is fully equipped, and personal trainers are available by appointment.

Boutiques

In 2020, ‘t Huys (Dutch for house) opened as a new wing of the hotel. The space offers a business residency for luxury-minded local purveyors. Current hubs include MENDO for art-inspired books, the Wunderkammer for high-end floral services, Skins Spa for deluxe beauty treatments and Graziella for authentic Italian food. ‘T Huys breathes new life into the hotel with an exciting mix of talented artists and entrepreneurs who value quality, creativity and innovation.

Courtesy of De L’Europe Amsterdam

Courtesy of De L’Europe Amsterdam

Location

De L’Europe is conveniently located near many world-class museums, such as the Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum and Anne Frank House. It is also situated within walking distance of the city’s finest boutiques and department stores. The property itself sits along Amsterdam’s seventeenth-century Canal Ring, which was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2010. Don’t miss the chance to see the city from its famous canals with boat tours departing from De L’Europe’s terrace.

Courtesy of De L’Europe Amsterdam

De L’Europe Amsterdam is a rare beauty with inspired interiors, elegant accommodations and fine dining. The hotel’s long-standing commitment to celebrating Dutch history, culture and art is worthy of high praise, and its attention to detail is the result of more than one hundred and twenty years of refinement. This museum-like property should be on everyone’s European hotel bucket list. Click here to make a reservation.

De L’Europe
Website: https://www.deleurope.com/
Phone: +31 20 531 17 77
Email: hotel@deleurope.com
Address: Nieuwe Doelenstraat 2-14, Amsterdam
Book Now

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Built in 2010, Tambo del Inka is a Marriott property that was brought to life by Peruvian architect Bernardo Fort-Brescia and his firm Arquitectonica. According to the hotel, from inception, the property has been a leader in sustainability and responsible luxury. Tambo del Inka was the first and only Peruvian hotel to receive the prestigious LEED certification in 2011. This internationally recognized, third-party certification speaks to the hotel’s design and its construction and operation as a high-performance green building. This designation highlights their commitment to areas of environmental impact with high marks for sustainable site development, water efficiency, energy savings, material use, indoor environmental quality and technological innovation. Tambo del Inka even has its own water treatment plant to filter water throughout the resort and grounds.

Upon arrival, guests are welcomed into the lobby, or main hall, a space that feels like a modern Peruvian hunting lodge with an impressive stone fireplace that seems to anchor the expansive room to the earth. During check-in, guests are greeted warmly with coca tea, a local remedy for helping the body adjust to high altitudes – fitting given the roughly 3,000 metres between the floor and sea level.

Courtesy of Tambo del Inka

Tambo del Inka’s interior design is headed up by the Argentinian firm Caparra Entelman. Decorative accents in the lobby include quipus, vases, baskets and masks – all gigantic in size making the massive space feel even bigger. Works by local artisans are on display throughout the room, some even dating back to the Incas. Large wooden columns rise up from the floor to support the ceiling, which gives the subtle impression that trees are growing up through the building. The main hall’s furniture, fabrics and rugs mix rich red tones with soothing beige tones to reflect the natural landscape. It’s as if the resort opened its doors and let the Sacred Valley inside.

Past the lobby, there are 3 floors of accommodations including 128 rooms divided between eastern and western wings. The rooms offer contemporary amenities like marble bathrooms, high speed internet, soundproof windows and walk-in closets. The property has 12 suites that feature private balconies with outdoor seating areas.

Courtesy of Tambo del Inka

Tambo del Inka’s spa is an excellent place to unwind after a long day of traveling or sightseeing. The spa offers beautiful views of the river and surrounding mountains. The space is equipped with a sauna, steam bath and gym, as well as a heated swimming pool (half outside), a hydro therapy area and treatment rooms. Try one of the signature treatments like a coca leaf facial.

Courtesy of Tambo del Inka

After the spa, guests can enjoy a locally-sourced seasonal menu in the hotel’s main dining room, Hawa Restaurant. The food includes traditional Peruvian and Novo Andean dishes, such as lomo saltado, or stir fried tenderloin strips, and cuy laqueado, or glazed Guinea pig. According to the hotel, a nearby organic garden produces 90% of the vegetables used in the kitchen.

Food enthusiasts will want to reserve space for one of the resort’s special dining experiences, such as the farm to table outing where guests harvest, prepare and cook a healthy meal with the help of a chef. Guests can also opt to cook a meal using a traditional Andean oven, a regional method that goes back centuries.

Courtesy of Tambo del Inka

Tambo del Inka offers the perfect jumping off point for exploring historic sites and local culture. The hotel has its own train station for starting the epic journey to Machu Picchu. This privately owned station was built to accommodate a 1920s-style train, which includes a dining car and a panoramic observation bar car. It is strongly recommended to purchase tickets well in advance.

In addition to Machu Picchu, guests can easily plan day trips to other notable sites, including the Urubamba Market, Maras Salt Mines, Moray Archaeological Complex and Inkariy Museum. Tambo del Inka can arrange tours to places like the Sacsayhuamán ruins, Písac village and Ollantaytambo archaeological site. The hotel can also organize outdoor activities, such as mountain biking, rafting and lakeside picnics.

Machu Picchu, Courtesy of Tambo del Inka

Tambo del Inka is the ultimate bucket list resort and spa. Inspired by the land on which it sits, this property seamlessly incorporates Peru’s rich cultural heritage into every aspect of its operation. Tambo del Inka goes above and beyond the call of duty to offer its guests an authentic experience. From the organic garden to the train station and water treatment plant, it’s the extra achievements, joined with thoughtful amenities, comfortable rooms and professional staff, that make this resort and spa truly memorable. Tambo del Inka values luxury, personality and sustainability – a winning combination for the world traveler. Click here to make a reservation.

Where to Stay Near Machu Picchu

Hotel Information
Tambo del Inka, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa – Valle Sagrado
Address: Avenida Ferrocarril S/N, Sacred Valley, Urubamba, 08661 Peru
Toll-Free Reservation Center: +015186500

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The Best Ryokan in Japan | KAI Hakone Review

Once there, KAI Hakone offers a luxury retreat with traditional and modern touches effortlessly blended together. From the restaurant to the hot spring baths, this hotel offers a truly memorable stay while visiting the Japanese countryside.

Courtesy of KAI Hakone

KAI Hakone, a Hoshino Resort, is a boutique hot spring property located on the banks of a mountain stream just off the Hakone Kyukaido. The first thing guests notice when they step inside the lobby is the calming esthetic expertly executed by their design team. Built in 1987 and renovated by Hoshino Resorts in 2012, the property is a shining example of a traditional, yet luxurious, Japanese inn, or ryokan. Influenced by Japanese heritage, the décor, wall color and use of natural materials connects the space to the local community of Hakone and its unique landscape.

Courtesy of KAI Hakone

Past the lobby building, a beautiful corridor of bamboo leads guests to their rooms. The property has 32 guest rooms (24 Japanese-style and eight Western-style). With its low sofa and bed, the Japanese-style room combines the living space with the bedroom creating an open and tranquil feeling upon entry. The rooms feature contemporary furnishings made by master artisans who practice a style of parquetry traditionally found in Hakone. Guests are provided a Japanese robe, or yukata, for their stay that allows for ultimate comfort.

Courtesy of KAI Hakone

Once settled, guests are invited to experience a relaxing hot spring bath, or onsen. Hakone is home to natural hot springs in the volcanic caldera of Mount Hakone, including Sengokuhara, Gora, Kojiri and Hakone Yumoto. KAI Hakone accesses the springs from Yumoto, which is considered a premier spring and gateway to Hakone.

Courtesy of KAI Hakone

The property’s infinity hot spring blends in well with its natural surroundings, which offers partially open-air views that change with the season. The antique cedar bathtub is filled with the bubbling hot spring water known to be gentle on the skin. First-time guests should be aware of the house rules before enjoying the bath, which is separated by gender. Do not forget to shower before taking a dip and keep all textiles out of the water.

The dining experience at KAI Hakone is another excellent reason to plan a visit. Traditional dinner and breakfast services are included in a room reservation. It was said that a special cuisine was developed in this region using ingredients obtained from the nearby mountains and sea. Inspired by this history, the property’s restaurant offers a seasonal, regionally-sourced menu. The special multi-course dinner, or kaiseki, features a beef hotpot, or meiji gyunabe, which is an original dish from the Meiji Era (1868–1912) when the people of Japan first started eating beef. With each course, guests are introduced to new flavors, unique textures and beautiful presentations. The dining room is set up so that most tables are separated by paper-thin walls, which creates a private and quiet space for dining. The service is impeccable from beginning to end.

Courtesy of KAI Hakone

KAI Hakone offers a selection of activities designed to introduce guests to the regional culture. Guests have access to a workshop that explores the secret to parquetry, a craft that is known for its colorful patterns created using the area’s diverse tree population. Other activities include tea sessions, storytelling and other crafting workshops. There is also an on-site library featuring historical information about Hakone.

Courtesy of KAI Hakone

From fine dining to natural hot spring baths, this property is as unique and beautiful as its surroundings. It is the perfect weekend getaway from Tokyo. The calming Zen-inspired atmosphere and superb service offer guests the chance to truly relax while away from home. The property effortlessly combines authentic Japanese touches with modern conveniences. KAI Hakone sets a new standard for natural elegance, because sometimes less is so much more.

The Best Ryokan in Japan

KAI Hakone Japan
Address: 230 Yumotochaya, Hakonemachi, Ashigarashimo, Kanagawa 250-0312
Telephone: +81-(0)50-3786-1144 (Reservation Center)
Website

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