Hotelchain: Pestana hotels
Location: Amsterdam – The Netherlands
Classification: 5 star hotel
Official website: pestana.com/…/pestana-amsterdam-riverside

Pestana Amsterdam Riverside is one the newest five star hotels in the heart of Amsterdam. You really can’t beat the location, the hotel is located on one of the most stunning places in Amsterdam, near the Amstel. The historic building is gorgeous and is considered as a national monument. It used to be a suburban town hall. Once you enter Pestana Amsterdam Riverside, you enter a top notch hotel with great interior designer elements and attention to details whether I’m writing about service or rooms.

The lobby area is beautiful and gives an excellent first impression. It felt like an ultra luxurious boutique lobby with high ceilings and white interior designer elements. Welcome staff is attentive to your entrance and departure and always willing to provide a hand or transport assistance. Our room keys were handed in seconds while they explained everything we needed to know in a very friendly and accommodating way.

Pestana Amsterdam Riverside has 154 luxuriously appointed rooms in different categories. We stayed in an executive room which I liked very much. For Amsterdam standards, the room had a great size and I could spend a whole day in the room without leaving. No bright colors nor shoddy elements … Every room at Pestana Amsterdam Riverside is tastefully decorated with high quality materials. I loved the bed! It felt like sleeping on a cloud… Our room had everything I’d expect from a five star hotel including high quality toiletries, a Nespresso coffee machine and a luxurious bathroom with excellent (rain)shower.

Did you know that Pestana Amsterdam Riverside has several apartments with the same contemporary décors and features? Those apartments are perfect for families and friends when visiting beautiful Amsterdam!

For me, one of the key features of Pestana Amsterdam Riverside is the spa area. This is the perfect spot to relax and unwind. The indoor pool is pretty large for a city hotel (3m x 12,5m) and water temperature was just perfect for me (not too cold, nor too hot). On top of that, there’s a traditional sauna and steam room. The whole place is immaculately clean and staff was very kind and informative. Do note that several treatments can be booked here. The gym is well equipped with all the latest technology facilities.

Another highlight of Pestana Amsterdam Riverside is ARC. This fine dining restaurant with leading Chef Peter Lute blew me away! The unique and young décor of the hotel is very appealing. Again, they did an incredible job decorating the place in a very minimalistic yet stylish way. Food was out of this world, each dish was divine and tasted fantastic! The amuse they served was just delicious and each dish that followed looked like pictures. The first cours – Cod accompanied with pear, kaffir lime and purslane was excellent. Incredible how the chef combines unique products… I loved the smokey entrecote (thin loin) with portobello, bear leak foam and rose hip as a main course. As usual, there’s always room for dessert: they served us forest fruit and pansy sorbet, tarragon and fennel… Loved each bite! As the weather was sweet, we had dinner at the wonderful terrace. Can’t say enough good things about ARC. Make sure to book your table before arrival as it is usually pretty busy here (no wonder why!!).

After a great peaceful night, we were hungry again and couldn’t wait to explore breakfast. After our wonderful experience at ARC the night before, our expectations were high and I’m happy to write they were met in a every single way. The buffet style breakfast is large and offers a great selection of fresh ingredients, breads, pastries and fruit.

It would be simple to say the defining factor was having the spa and fine dining restaurant available, but that would not do justice to the other elements which I found of the highest standard. To recap – the location is superb. Service is unbeatable and food is outstanding. This definitely is one of my favorite picks in Amsterdam! Amenities at Pestana Amsterdam Riverside truly are impeccable! Loved it!