TL;DR

Historic charm: A 1651 canal house blending tactile history with bold, design-forward interiors.
Design-led: Quirky elegance with steampunk touches, copper details, and playful visual surprises.
Central location: Set on one of Amsterdam’s most iconic canals, close to major sights and dining.
Check prices here

Nobody in the know will be surprised to find this particular Amsterdam boutique hotel in our sights.

There’s no unearthing of hidden gems with The Craftsmen – it’s an eye-catching hotel with an already extensive reputation.

Built back in 1651, its lovely building sits on the corner of the city’s most central canal, and is just charming from the get-go.

It has changed hands plenty of times, a lively history documented in black and white drawings within the hotel’s stairwell.

There’s a kind of quirky elegance that encapsulates The Craftsmen’s general atmosphere.

You’ll see a continuous mix of casual oddities like newspaper-papered walls and a front desk that can’t decide if it’s post-industrial or steampunk.

Each one is balanced by something sumptuous but sensible, like gorgeous copper sinks and endless metal artistry.

It’s a unique blend of tactile history and bold design, and we’re not at all surprised by its fame.

What are the rooms like?

14 rooms: An intimate collection of highly individual spaces with no repeated decor.
Varied sizes: From compact singles to generous signature rooms, typical of historic buildings.
Thoughtful comforts: Even the smallest rooms feel well-designed and appealing.
See all the rooms in detail here

We don’t think anyone will be super surprised, either, that the Craftsmen’s guestrooms have a lot of personality.

There’s very little decor replicated between them, though they all have a certain handsome luxury feel.

Space is a little less consistent. This isn’t rare for a historic property, and we think they’ve done an excellent job making even the tiniest rooms appealing.

Single rooms don’t even reach 10 square metres, but they’re so nicely done we’d still stay there in a pinch.

Others are closer to 20-30, perfectly reasonable for a nice boutique hotel.

Loft rooms are on the smaller end of the spectrum, but their stunning woodwork and cosy bathtubs make them our favourites.

Signature Rooms are unique spaces available for up to 4 guests, including a charming duplex and a grand nautical-themed option with a boat-shaped soaking tub.

Tiny rooms might lack a few extras, but almost all rooms include Nespresso machines and tea capabilities, robes and slippers, TVs, desks, and the classic Le Labo bath amenities.

What are prices like?

Check prices here

And what’s the food like? Any facilities we should know about?

Included breakfast: Served in a stylish dining space and consistently praised by guests.
Light dining: A casual takeaway-style café next door for snacks and coffee.
Limited facilities: Best suited to travellers who plan to spend most of their time exploring the city.

Reservations include breakfast, served in a lovely, well-designed dining space where you’ll be forgiven for lingering a bit after coffee.

For everything else, you have a takeaway kind of cafe next door at The Craftsmen Kitchen.

It’s not a sit-down and revel in your fancy dinner kind of spot, but it offers sandwiches, coffees and juices perfect for a quick bite before exploring the city.

Aside from this, there’s not much to do inside the hotel. This shouldn’t surprise anyone who’s seen it; it’s not like it’s a large building.

How is the neighbourhood? Anything interesting nearby?

Prime canal spot: Walkable access to top sights, dining, and cultural landmarks.
Tourist-friendly: Close to major attractions without being overwhelmed by crowds.
Great base: Easy walking and cycling distance to museums and iconic districts.

Luckily, the Craftsmen occupies the perfect place for finding everything you need without going far.

Indeed, it’s near quite a few upscale hotels with spas you can use, and walking distance from many of the city’s top restaurants.

As for tourism, you’ll have it easy.

You can casually stop into the Red Light District from here, without making it a huge part of your stay.

It’s just a 10-minute walk past the Royal Palace and some of the top coffee shops.

One of the city’s most well-known experiences, The Anne Frank House, is a must-visit in Amsterdam, and just minutes in the other direction.

The parallel canals are surrounded by plenty of other historical and cultural sites.

You’ll find the Tulip Museum basically next door, or the Houseboat Museum, Museum of the Canals, and the Huis Marseille, museum of photography, towards the 9-Streets district.

More established places like the Rijksmuseum and the Van Gogh Museum are a bit of a stroll, we’ll admit.

It’s a full half-hour on foot, but actually much closer with a bike, and a pedal around Vondelpark is another great reason to visit that part of the city.

And what about the reviews? What did other guests think?

Some things guests liked:

“I loved the building and the location. Uniquely captured the Amsterdam of old. Coupled with modern comforts and very welcoming staff. Just charming….”

“The breakfast was exceptional, the staff were so lovely and thoughtful. The accommodation was also outstanding and luxurious, we were made to feel so comfortable, thank you….”