Set amongst the multitude of museums that define Amsterdam’s cultural heart, Conservatorium Hotel captivated us from the moment we arrived. As we entered the grand hotel’s lobby, the immediate impact of award-winning designer Piero Lissoni’s work was palpable. An all enclosing glass atrium flowed effortlessly into the red brick facade of the building’s foundation which once housed a bank and then a music school. To say the hotel’s fusion of old and new is successful would be a gross understatement.
Creativity and community are at the centre of the Conservatorium’s design, a prominent theme shared amongst The Set hotels. Its rich history spans more than a century and has always seen the space as a hub for the innovative and imaginative. Today, this ethos is echoed in every aspect of the aesthetic. There is no shortage of gathering spaces where one can collaborate with peers and take in the awe-inspiring surroundings.
Though the communal spaces provide the perfect meeting places, the private rooms and suites offer an oasis of calm and sophistication in the centre of this bustling city. Each abode is unique yet all exude exclusivity and elegance. Our Grand Junior Suite boasted a contemporary duplex design featuring commanding double story windows overlooking the Stedelijk Museum opposite. We were greeted with a bottle of Veuve Clicquot and signature snacks; a symbol of the establishment’s faultless service and attention to detail.
The impeccable hospitality continued into the evening as we enjoyed a dining experience at Taiko. We left our palates in the capable hands of chef Hugo Engels as he chose our dishes in the traditional Japanese omakase fashion. Served our favourite Asian-fusion cuisine, we salivated at every dish from fresh sashimi to the most divine black cod. The first course alone filled our entire dining table with an array of incredible seafood dishes. Taiko’s knowledgeable sommelier Kim Reisig personally walked us through her recommendations for a range of wines with dinner, ending with a delicious yuzu sake for dessert. Between bites (and sips), we admired the restaurant’s grand yet cosy design; a clever mix of Asian and European influences.
The following day, we decided to continue our indulgent stay with some window-shopping and spa time. The Conservatorium Hotel houses its own shopping gallery with a careful selection of luxury goods from jewellery to homewares and skincare. After a few too many laps of Van Baerle Shopping Gallery, we traded our shopping bags for a sauna session at Akasha Spa. A hub for holistic wellbeing; Akasha Spa offers a tranquil retreat for guests to enjoy a range of signature treatments, invigorating exercise classes and essential amenities including a lap pool and a jacuzzi.
Every offering from the Conservatorium is elevated to the highest standard and this is no truer than at breakfast. Served in the hotel’s exquisite Brasserie Lounge, our first meal of the day included a choice of a la carte dishes and a diverse buffet boasting freshly made pastries, salads, juices and cereals. The furnishings in the Brasserie combine comfort and style with Lissoni’s signature colourful accents carefully placed throughout the space. As we dined, light flooded in through the glass ceiling indicating the perfect day for exploring the city laid ahead of us. With Amsterdam’s most well known museums and galleries on our doorstep, we wasted no time immersing ourselves in the surrounding Museum Quarter.
Our stay at the Conservatorium expanded our adoration for The Set hotels. We held high expectations for Amsterdam’s only grand modern hotel and were overwhelmingly pleased with our inspiring and enriching experience. Another trip to Amsterdam is calling us and The Conservatorium Hotel is at the centre of our longing.
Website: conservatoriumhotel.com
Instagram: @conservatoriumhotel
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