InterContinental Amstel Amsterdam

The Amstel Hotel has taken a significant place in the Dutch history of hotels. Since the opening in 1867 the InterContinental Amstel Amsterdam has been recognised as the Netherlands’ first and most renowned Grand Hotel and ranks with the best hotels in the world. Before the opening Amsterdam did not have a hotel in the grand manner. It was Doctor Samuel Sarphati who took the initiative to build the Amstel hotel. Unfortunately he died in June 1866 through which he could never see his dream realised. The first years after the opening were not glorious and they started to think about closing the hotel. Although the French-German war started in 1870, business was improving that year. A young doctor by the name of Mezger began his practice in the hotel and attracted a special clientele.

Although doctor Mezger treated all kind of people, the Amstel Hotel became famous for the many royal and noble people who stayed in the hotel for treatment. For eighteen years he welcomed his patients in the Amstel Hotel, until in 1888 doctor Mezger left the Amstel Hotel and moved to Wiesbaden. Fortunately all the royal and noble guests kept coming to the hotel.

Ever since, the Amstel Hotel has welcomed numerous celebrities ranging from royal and presidential guests, such as the Tsar and Tsarina of Russia, England’s Queen Elizabeth, King Carlos of Spain, to government leaders including Brandt and Kissinger. Luminaries of the art and entertainment like Gustav Eiffel, Walt Disney, Marlene Dietrich, Elizabeth Taylor, Audrey Hepburn, Steven Spielberg and many more have chosen the Amstel as their preferred address in Amsterdam.

In late September 1992 the Amstel Hotel was reopened after an unprecedented two year renovation which restored the ‘Grand Dame’ of Dutch Hotels to her former glory. During the two year closure craftsmen, artisans and engineers restored the entire hotel. Now refurbished at a cost of over 70 million guilders, the Amstel Hotel is now celebrated the most beautiful and luxurious hotel in the Netherlands and ranks with the best hotels of the world.