Xerxes Cook

Volkshotel

  • Where:
  • Why:A couple of days in Amsterdam checking out the Unseen Photo Fair and its satellite events across the city.
  • When:A sunny September, 2014
  • Who:Flying solo.
>
Volkshotel Getting steamy inside the Cinema Boudoir.

Getting steamy inside the Cinema Boudoir.

Volkshotel Brunch in the lobby.

Brunch in the lobby.

Volkshotel Parking space for your pedals.

Parking space for your pedals.

Volkshotel Busy bees in the workstation downstairs – note the glass meeting rooms behind the desks.

Busy bees in the workstation downstairs – note the glass meeting rooms behind the desks.

Volkshotel Canvas, the 7th floor restaurant & bar.

Canvas, the 7th floor restaurant & bar.

Volkshotel Smoking terrace on the top floor.

Smoking terrace on the top floor.

Volkshotel WiFi connected rooftop.

WiFi connected rooftop.

Volkshotel A gorgeous wooden hot tub on the rooftop.

A gorgeous wooden hot tub on the rooftop.

Volkshotel Inside the Cinema Boudoir, one of the hotel’s ‘special’ rooms.

Inside the Cinema Boudoir, one of the hotel’s ‘special’ rooms.

Volkshotel A view of the Volkshotel from across the street.

A view of the Volkshotel from across the street.

Highs & Lows

  • The surprises in the ‘special’ rooms: ‘oh a bath, and look, a projector and cinema screen!’

  • Though Amsterdam isn’t known for its skyline, the roof terrace is a major sunspot and offers great views.

  • Working from your laptop in the shared workspaces, and the creative yet unpretentious vibe that surrounds the lobby in the day.

  • Finishing touches to the rooms were a little rough around the edges when I visited, but as they were still under construction at the time, all is forgiven.

  • It would be a major help if you could borrow bikes from the hotel, as most rentals you have to return them by 7, and then you’ll inevitably need to get a taxi back at night.

  • Bottles of water in the hotel rooms – gratis of course.

The Barometer

  • Design

  • Website

  • Environmental Consciousness

  • Night's Sleep

  • Service

  • Amenities

  • Takeable Treats

  • Refer a Friend

  • Overall Value

  • Life Changing

Total: 42/50

Important Bits

  • Type

    Creative work, sleep and play space.

  • Vibe

    Industrial yet cheeky, millennial yet mindful.

  • Location

    Just outside Amsterdam’s old town towards the East of the city where the vibe feels closer to Berlin but with even more bikes and of course, canals.

  • Rooms

    172

  • Music

    Bouncy background tunes in the lobby by day, FKA Twigs and The Brothers Johnson upstairs – all in all, pretty chilled. The presence of turntables hints this isn’t always the case.

  • Year Opened

    2014

  • Designed By

    Urban Resort.

  • Health & Wellness

    A sauna and three hot tubs on the 8th floor.

  • Restaurant

    Yes, a great brunch spot in the lobby and the buzzy restaurant, bar and sunny rooftop lounge, Canvas.

  • Bar

    The 7th floor Canvas restaurant segues into bar mode after midnight.

  • Minibar

    A couple of small bottles of wine, beers and sodas. However, no spirits or water.

  • Children

    If you’re the type of person that likes staying in a place like the Volkshotel, most likely your kids will be too.

  • Price

    Very affordable – it could give the backpacker hotels in the city centre a run for their money.

Share this Hotel

More AHL

AmsterdamHolland

Zoku

by Alex Catarinella

“A very lively global nomad’s playground”

AmsterdamHolland

Conservatorium Hotel

by Jude Vargas

“When I walked into the hotel, it felt as though I walked into a museum for music and art. Not your typical hotel experience!”

AmsterdamHolland

Pulitzer Amsterdam

by Gautam Balasundar

“"It feels like it has its own vibrant neighborhood within itself."”

AmsterdamHolland

Mr. Jordaan

by Alex Catarinella

“A traveler’s dream hotel.”

AmsterdamHolland

Lloyd Hotel & Cultural Embassy

by Alex Catarinella

“For the artsy, adventurous, well-traveled types”