Lloyd Hotel

Description:

• Opened in 2004 on the waterfront redevelopment zone of the old steamship docks east of Centraal Station, the Lloyd was an emigrants' hotel from 1921 to 1935. The standout Amsterdam School-style building then served sequentially as a prison, a house of corrections for young offenders, and studio space for hard-up artists. Each of its thoroughly renovated rooms has a different shape, style, and modern decor, and with rooms of various classes, the hotel straddles all categories except "Very Expensive." The most expensive rooms are the largest; they have a view of the water or a specially designed interior (or both). Beds are new and mattresses firm, but only a few rooms have king-size doubles. The hotel's Culturele Ambassade houses art exhibits, and besides that, there are modern artworks scattered around the property, as well as an attic library. The two restaurants aim to make it cool to dine in a hotel: Snel is fast, affordable, and open 24/7; Sloom is leisurely and expensive, and you can order whatever you desire and the kitchen will aim to cook it.

• © Frommer's 2013

Awards:

Frommer's

•  Recommended 2009
•  Recommended 2010