We love traveling to Amsterdam, our capital city, it’s always fun. Earlier this year we visited Rotterdam and stayed at the amazing nhow Rotterdam. During that stay we fell in love with the nhow hotel brand. So, when we found out that there was another nhow hotel in Amsterdam, we couldn’t wait to check it out.
Luckily we had another trip to Amsterdam planned. And so it happened that, just a few months after staying in Rotterdam, we now explored and experienced the nhow Amsterdam RAI.
Design Hotel
The nhow Amsterdam RAI is one of the newest design hotels in the capital of the Netherlands. It opened its doors only three years ago. With the opening of this hotel, Amsterdam immediately had the honor of having the biggest hotel in the Benelux.
The nhow Amsterdam RAI is located in one of the most iconic buildings of Amsterdam. The building was designed by Reinier de Graaf, an architect from the OMA Studio, founded by Rem Koolhaas.
The building is made up of three overlapping triangles, symbolizing the multicultural backdrop that characterizes the past, present and future of Amsterdam.
Nhow hotels are characterized by a lot of color, design and creativity. At nhow Amsterdam RAI this applies to both the interior and the design of this special building.
Rooms
Nhow Amsterdam Rai has six different room designs and four different room types with a total of 650 hotel rooms. Influences from around the world create an exciting mix of colors and patterns in all rooms and public areas. Six unique room designs are inspired by the six directions the corners of the building face; South, East, North, Southwest, Southeast and Northwest.
We were given a special room in a corner of the middle triangle. Room 1401 offers amazing views over the famous Zuidas, the A10 motorway, the RAI convention center and the city center of Amsterdam.
The room has a large and comfortable bed with the biggest television I have ever seen at a hotel room.
The bathroom has a large walk in rain shower.
There is also a coffee machine and kettle in your room, just in case you fancy a coffee or tea. The room has a small fridge with a complimentary bottle of Earth Water. The fun thing, it’s a branded nhow Earth water bottle, very nice. Really love the details.
As with many other hotels nowadays, you can also choose not to have your towels renewed daily at nhow. We all know it’s good for the environment, but at nhow it comes with an extra bonus. If you leave the sign out at the door and not have new towels, you are rewarded with a drink voucher for two complimentary drinks. Doing something good for the environment and earning two free drinks has never been this easy.
Location
The location of the nhow Amsterdam RAI is absolutely perfect! The hotel is located on the RAI complex, in the triangle of the Europa Boulevard, the A10 ring road and RAI Convention Centre Amsterdam. Schiphol Airport is ten minutes by car or train and you can reach Dam square within six minutes by tram or metro.
So whether you’re travelling by car, plane, bus or train, it is super easy to reach this hotel. It has several metro, tram and train stops in the immediate vicinity of the hotel.
If you’re traveling by car you can either park your car right underneath the hotel at €40 a day. Across the road you can park underneath the RAI complex for €32 a day.
At just a short 5 minute walk from the hotel you find the Amstel Park. This park is a hidden gem in Amsterdam Zuid. Back in the days, the park was developed for the largest international horticultural exhibition ever held in the world; The Floriade Amsterdam in 1972.
In the middle of the park are the Glass House and the Oranjerie, where beautiful exhibitions are held. But the park is really known for the endless possibilities to really make a complete day out of it. There are various recreational opportunities such as the Minigolf Amstelpark, the Amstel train, the city farm De Amsteldieren and the large playground Het Bastion. And of course the various catering establishments are present as well! Definitely pay this park a visit when you’re staying at nhow Amsterdam RAI.
When walking into the nhow Amsterdam RAI hotel the first thing you will notice is the super colorful design of the lobby.
Isn’t this the best warm welcome?
In the lobby you’ll find a candy display where you can grab free candy 24/7 and coffee. Isn’t that just cool?!
Moana Bar
You can find the Moana Bar at the first floor of this hotel. Moana Bar invites you to lounge, dream and enjoy cocktails & bites in a vibrant atmosphere. Inspired by the wonders of a Hawaiian Tiki Bar. Moana Bar serves Tiki cocktails, beers, wines, teas, coffees and soft drinks.
They have multiple lounges and chill areas where you can enjoy your drink very relaxed.
Restaurant The View
The View is a restaurant on the 17th floor with a beautiful and impressive view over Amsterdam. The View serves Asian-influenced dishes and they are served daily from 6.00 – 9.30 PM.
The view has several outdoor terraces where you can also enjoy your drinks or food. These terraces offer amazing views of the city.
Breakfast is served at The View as well and served until noon during the weekends, how good is that?! Their breakfast is the best.
Plenty of choices, freshly prepared waffles, bagels, fruits, sweet treats, fresh juices and smoothies and much more. Do you feel like a fancy breakfast? Consider a glass of Cava or a Bloody Mary.
Gym with a View
The Gym with a View is your place to go if you want to stay in shape during your stay here. Views include most parts of Amsterdam and are very impressive. It’s next level to work out here while enjoying the views of the city. The gym also provides chilled bottles of Earth Water and apples.
Grab & Go
This is something I really like. Just in case you forget something, or want some snacks or drinks, this place is open 24 hours a day. The Grab & Go shop is located in the lobby of the hotel.
Restaurant & Rooftop Bar Selva
Unfortunately we haven’t been able to experience this. But this Summer Selva Restaurant and Rooftop Bar is opening its doors on the 24th floor of the nhow Amsterdam RAI. Just imagine what it would be like to have a cocktail on the 24th floor, overlooking the city of Amsterdam.
I highly recommend the nhow Amsterdam RAI to anyone who is travelling to the Dutch capital city. The location is super easy with all the public transport options just around the corner. You’re in the city center within a few minutes. Check out is at 12 noon, which I think is fantastic, I love a late check out.
We enjoyed our stay at nhow Amsterdam RAI to the fullest. The vibes at this hotel are fantastic. Exploring Amsterdam from this location is really easy.
Don’t forget to check out Traveltomtom’s list of the best places to visit in The Netherlands.
This review blog about nhow Amsterdam RAI was written by travel writer and Traveltomtom team member Ashley. On behalf of Traveltomtom she enjoyed a complimentary stay and wrote this review expressing her own opinions and experiences.
