The best way to experience Amsterdam is to immerse yourself in the city’s vibrant cultural and art scene, and where better to do that than from its Museum quarter?

Amsterdam is like a cabinet of curiosities, it’s a place where the old, the new and the bizarre cohabit peacefully. The best way to navigate the city that’s a maze of bicycles lanes, tram tracks and walking paths is to stay at the centre of it all, and Hotel Conservatorium ticks a few boxes when it comes to location, comfort and experience. 

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1. It's part of the Museum Quarter

A trip to this fascinating city would not be complete without a visit to its amazing museums—and there are plenty of those. The big stakers are of course those situated in Museumplein. Here, the Rijks, Stedelijk, Van Gogh museums to name a few, sit alongside The Concertgebouw, one of the city’s most exclusive concert halls. It’s also where Vondelpark, Amsterdam’s largest park is also situated. In short, the area around the quarter is milling with life as you would see it in Amsterdam. And all of these are at a walking distance from the Conservatorium Hotel.

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Above Sweelinck Music Conservatorium, the site on which Hotel Conservatorium stands today, served not only as an icon of 19th-century architecture, but also transformed the landscape of the neighbourhood of Van Baerlestraat
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Above The light-filled Brasserie lounge is s perfect example of the seamless blend of contemporary design and the original masonry of the Conservatorium

2. It’s where old meets new

Conservatorium Hotel used to be home to Sweelinck Music Conservatorium—hence the name. The building, originally designed by Dutch architect Daniel Knuttel, was renowned for having uplifted the entire neighbourhood—the buzzing Museumplein was surprisingly once a derelict and ignored part of the city. When Italian architect Pierro Lissoni subsequently converted the building from a music school to a hotel, he retained signature elements from Knuttel’s original design while injecting contemporary features. The smooth transition is evident in the Art-Nouveau interiors, the paintings and installations in the hallways and internal glass courtyard that houses the Brasserie and Lounge areas.

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Above Spot the details: Artistic nuances, colour palette and design elements from Rembrandt’s <i>The Night Watch</i> can be seen all around the Art Suite
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3. Its rooms celebrate Dutch art history

This year has been declared the Year of Rembrandt, to mark the 350th death anniversary of the iconic Dutch painter. 

Conservatorium Hotel has partnered with the museum for the year and designed an Art Suite in his memory with curated artworks by Dutch artist Sarah van Sonsbeeck and her interpretations of Rembrandt’s most celebrated piece, The Night Watch can be seen in strategic locations in the suite. These are complemented by interior designer Irma Boom’s carefully articulated colour scheme. The Art Suite package also offers guests unlimited access to all the exhibitions and events at Rijksmuseum in conjunction with the commemorative year. 

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Above The décor of Tunes Bar is equal parts chic, intimate and luxurious
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Above Aside from its expansive collection of gins, Tunes Bar is the go-to for exotic cocktails, which take inspiration from countries around the world, and Asian-inspired tapas

4. It houses Amsterdam’s first Gin and Tonic Bar

It was the Netherlands that introduced juniper-flavoured alcohol to the world, along with Belgium. And the first bar that started the Gin and Tonic culture in Amsterdam, Tunes Bar, sits within Conservatorium Hotel.

There are 40 types of gins and six varieties of distinct tonic waters to go with them and 11 gin and tonic concoctions on the menu. Needless to say, the bar is a must-go for gin lovers.

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Photo 1 of 2 Spacious, tranquil and immersive, Akasha Spa is the place to take a step back from the every-day and focus on yourself
Photo 2 of 2 Spacious, tranquil and immersive, Akasha Spa is the place to take a step back from the every-day and focus on yourself

5. It’s where Amsterdam’s largest spa is

Named Akasha after the source of all creation, the Akasha Holistic Wellbeing spa at the hotel is a luxurious respite and wellness centre rolled into one. Its 1,000sqm of space boasts facilities such as a Hammam pool, seven treatment rooms, a Watsu pool—Amsterdam’s first—a fully equipped gym and fitness centre, and a lounge bar that offers a selection of healthy, nourishing snacks and beverages. It’s the perfect respite from the bustling city outside that is equally good for the body and soul..

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