Review of Hotel Estherea, Amsterdam
Our 48 hours in Amsterdam trip was a total surprise, organised by my hubby to celebrate our first wedding anniversary. Daniel has always been a really thoughtful guy, so I knew that when he said I should leave everything to him, that I could trust we wouldn't end up in a dodgy Airbnb in Blackpool. Not that there's anything wrong with Blackpool! He finally decided on two nights at 4 star boutique Hotel Estherea, including breakfast, via lastminute.com. Here's how it went.
Situated within a row of 17th century buildings alongside Amsterdam's oldest canal, the Singel, Hotel Estherea is a boutique hotel with a luxe feel. We arrived around 9pm on a Friday night, and the first thing I noticed as we walked through the doors was the scent. The hotel smelled amazing; I can't quite describe it but I really should have asked if they sold candles of the fragrance they'd managed to infuse the entire building with. It felt immediately relaxing, and I have to admit, once we were shown up to our room, I was definitely tempted to jump straight into the bed.
Speaking of the bed; it was made up in the most luxurious mix of prints in beautiful tones of teal and gold, with the necessary multiple cushion options, of course. Although we realised the bed was actually two singles pushed together (meaning that throughout the night one of us was destined to fall into the increasing large gap) the receptionist sorted this out before we climbed into bed on the second night.
There were some great little touches in the room; the wallpaper was a pretty birdcage design and the lighting had a real Art Deco feel. There were chocolates left on the bed, and gorgeous L'Occitane products in the bathroom. The shower was exactly what you'd expect from a quality hotel - thorough and hot! The bathtub was definitely only meant for one, so if you're planning on a double dip, you'd be advised to ask ahead for larger options. Still, that didn't stop me from indulging in a relaxing bath each night.
Aside from our room, what we most loved about the hotel was the beautiful library. Ultra luxe and spacious, you could easily unwind here with a favourite book, or listen to a podcast, without feeling like you're sitting on top of one another. There are desks for you to work privately, as well as a large table that lends itself to meetings, as well as a private phone booth, and plenty of comfy seating. I loved helping myself to a hot chocolate and sinking into one of the deep, cosy chairs after a long day of walking. Every evening you'll arrive to see an array of cakes and biscuits to indulge in, while you choose from a range of teas and coffees, all free of charge.
When it comes to the breakfast, it really depends on your style. If you like to nibble at a little cheese and ham, perhaps some yoghurt and granola, then you'll be fine. But if you love all the options of the usual Continental brekkie, or a full English with lots of hot toast, you'd be better off exploring. We soon discovered that avocado toast is more like avocado bread in Amsterdam (toasting your bread just isn't done here), so if that's what you're after, I'd head out early and go find yourself a comfy cafe - there are tons! Find out where we ate in my 48 hours in Amsterdam blog here.
If you're looking for beautiful yet relaxed surroundings and a very pleasant night's sleep, Hotel Estherea is for you.
Singel 303-309, 1012 WJ Amsterdam.