The Pulitzer Amsterdam was originally named the Howard Johnson Hotel, before being renamed in 1971 after newspaper publisher and founder of the Pulitzer Prize, Joseph Pulitzer. It was his grandson Peter that reconstructed the canal houses and laid the foundations for what now is a luxurious and stylish 5-star hotel in the centre of Amsterdam.
The Pulitzer Amsterdam is spread across 25 interconnecting canal houses located between the Prinsengracht canal and the Keizersgracht canals. The hotel is situated within walking distance of many of the city’s top tourist attractions, including the Anne Frank House, the floating flower market and the Van Gogh museum. The surrounding network of streets and passages are home to a selection of restaurants and boutique clothing stores, cafes and bars. A better positioned hotel would be hard to find, certainly not one more modern, stylish, yet so beautifully in keeping with its surroundings.
The hotel entrance lobby is furnished with chaise lounges and decadently styled armchairs. To the left of the reception area the inviting dining room and bar leads out on to the centrally situated courtyard gardens. The gardens are a focal point of the hotel and are visible through a series of floor to ceiling windows separated by a glass corridor. They say that “first impressions count” and this beautiful space offers such a fine introduction to the Pulitzer Amsterdam that you’ll want to continue exploring the maze of corridors before you have even been shown to your room.
A knowledgeable concierge service is at your disposal to assist you with organising trips, making restaurant reservations, or simply to point you in the direction of the nearest bike rental so you can embrace the Dutch tradition of cycling.
One of the stand-out rooms is the Book Collector’s Suite. The theme of the space is brought to life with a mock library – a wall of books complete with a ladder to help you access the array of titles. At the window facing the canal is a writing desk and swivel armchair and the decor is complete with comfortable seating and a functional vintage telephone. The literary theme is carried over into the bedroom where a spectacular arch of books marks the entrance of the hallway separating the two rooms. The suite is excellently positioned facing over the canal and the picturesque tapestry of Amsterdam beyond.
Another choice range of suites faces the inner courtyard and boasts a king size bed, huge floor to ceiling wardrobes and the hotel’s trademark stylish seating. These inner courtyard-facing rooms overlook the tranquil garden area that comprise the centrepiece of the hotel’s interior.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner are all served in Jansz., a simple yet stylish restaurant. Here, grey wainscots and bentwood chairs give it an almost Parisian bistro feel and complement the wooden floor. A plentiful buffet of fresh fruit, yoghurt, cheeses, meats and breads is the perfect way to get your day started, before you try a classic with a twist – the French toast with scrambled eggs is a must!
The dinner menu is refined yet simple, combining classics and modern takes on Dutch cuisine. A delicious starter of tuna tartar was served with crisp bread and a punchy wasabi mayonnaise, followed by a delicate yet hearty pan-fried cod in beurre noisettes.
The fine-dining fare is set against a background of atmospheric jazz, creating a cool and laid back ambience. They say the proof of a restaurant’s quality is how popular it is with the locals, and Jansz. is popular. The blend of tourists and locals all sharing a space makes you feel part of the fabric of Amsterdam and, along with the sumptuous suites and contemporary, spacious interiors, it’s what makes the Pulitzer Amsterdam such a special hotel – one worthy of Europe’s coolest city.
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