Stretching across 25 houses lining the Keizersgracht canal, the legendary Hotel Pulitzer has provided a luxury respite for guests for 45 years. Now it’s reopening after a major refurbishment. Baroque Travel has all the details
On August 15, 2016, to coincide with Pulitzer Amsterdam’s 45th birthday, this elegant hotel reopens its doors after the first stages of a refurbishment that will transform it to its former glory. The first phase of the restoration project is now complete and includes a new restaurant, Jansz, as well as 80 redesigned guestrooms and suites overlooking the canal, making the total of rooms and suites available up to 225. The hotel, which comprises a labyrinth of 25 interlinked canal houses, will still feature many of its original traditional features as well as new, contemporary Dutch design.
At the Grand Opening party on 15 August, visitors will see the extensive restoration that has taken place for the first time, which involved linking these 25 eclectic 17th and 18th Century buildings between the Keizersgracht and Prinsengracht canals. Once guests are happily ensconced in the plush hotel, the remaining phase of restorations will continue and be completed in the autumn. These include a further 145 new guestrooms and suites, a new lobby and a lavish garden café. The highlight will be the Pulitzer Garden, a truly unique offering in this tiny, cramped Dutch city. Opulent touches will include a giant swing in the garden as well as hand-carved wooden rocking horses.
The 25 four century-old buildings have all been restored to reflect their past history, which included being homes to trade merchants and Dutch aristocrats. Each building is a monument in its own right, with its own unique, intriguing story to tell. In addition, interiors have been decorated by Jacu Strauss, previously of Tom Dixon’s Research Studio, to reflect a touch of whimsy. Strauss, who has previously decorated the restaurant Barbecoa for Jamie Oliver as well as the ultra-contemporary Mondrian Hotel in London, was inspired by the grandeur and heritage of these Golden Age canal houses, and the result is a visual treat. Each room is individually decorated, offering guests surprising individual touches and making the hotel an exciting place to visit.
Rooms have been divided into four categories and suites into three plus there’s the exclusive Pulitzer Suite as well as four Collector’s Suites that boast private entrances and breathtaking canal views. Each of these suites has its own special character inspired by the people who lived there in the past, including an art aficionado, a music composer, antique collector and an eccentric book lover. Unique touches include WiFi, vintage telephones, luxurious amenities and even a bicycle repair kit!
Pulitzer Amsterdam’s new restaurant, Jansz, will be overseen by executive chef Cassidy Hallman, who has created a beautifully crafted menu of modern classics. There is a new chic, classic cocktail lounge, called Pulitzer’s Bar, with a varied cocktail menu that has its own fair share of surprises.
Of course, part of this plush hotel’s charm is its excellent location, in one of Amsterdam’s most fashionable neighbourhoods, within easy reach of the Rijksmuseum, Stedelijk Museum, the Van Gogh Museum and The Anne Frank House.