With an eye for creating a personal, hospitable experience in calm and luxe surroundings, the Pillows Anna van den Vondel combines exceptional service with a townhouse feel. Located on a quiet side street a 15-minute walk from Amsterdam’s downtown, the Anna is intimate in both size and location. The 19th-century brick mansion was originally three townhouses, and its white arched windows and gracious balconies promise both comfort and style within.
Inside, the crisp white walls are accented with cool pastel tones and clean, curved lines. The lobby and restaurant area, called The Living, offers a relaxed check-in experience, where the receptionist offers you a drink and a rest on arrival.
The rooms share a similar design and are relaxed and quiet, with crushed velvet-covered chairs and pillows, large sunny windows and soothing curves, like round bathroom mirrors and sinks.
The lounge and bar, all located in The Living, maintain a clockless concept, with drinks and a simple food menu available at any time of day or night.
Our rating: Simple
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The hotel has Luxury rooms, Deluxe rooms, Grand Deluxe rooms and Pillows suites. The Luxury rooms are small but comfortable, with walk-in showers and a view of either the city or the courtyard garden. Deluxe rooms have large windows and private terraces with views of the garden. The Grand Deluxe rooms are on the top floor, and include a seating area and desk along with a larger bathroom. The larger suites have seating areas, garden views and bathtubs.
All rooms have air conditioning, Wi-Fi and an iPad where you can get details on the hotel and surrounding area.
Location
The Anna van den Vondel is located a little way from most of the city’s sites of interest, but is very close to the Vondelpark on a quiet residential street. The canal district is about a ten-minute walk away, while the museum quarter is about 15 minutes away. The location is great if you want a quieter home base and don’t mind a walk or bike ride to reach the city’s heart.
Food and drink
À la carte breakfast served daily in The Living dining area, or in the garden in the warmer months. Breakfast is served until noon to allow for a lazy morning.
The ‘Domestic Kitchen’ offers all-day dining but a fairly limited choice of menu, serving Mediterranean-inspired dishes as well as comfort food like mini-burgers or croque-monsieur bites.
The drinks menu is included in the all-day dining menu, and is available 24/7.
Facilities and activities
Laundry service.
Gardens for your use.
Accessibility
The hotel has steps on many levels, including in most of the rooms. There is a lift, but there are steps inside the reception area before you can reach it, which unfortunately makes the hotel unfriendly to those with mobility issues.
Our opinion
We like this hotel for its intimate feel, aided by its quiet location, discreet front door and personal welcome. Its 19th-century bricked structure gives the sense of living in your own Amsterdam townhouse.
Where possible, we like to offer a range of accommodation for each stop of your trip, chosen by our specialists as some of their favourite places to stay. To help you make the right choice, we give each property a rating based on its facilities and service, but we also look for hotels with distinct character or a location that can’t be bettered.
A classic 17th-century canal house along one of Amsterdam’s main canals, the Ambassade Hotel combines personal decor touches with a central location. Stroll along the Herengracht, visit nearby shops or admire the owner’s collections of books and artwork.
A stately and comfortable hotel with a riverside location, De L’Europe offers well-appointed rooms, upscale dining and helpful staff. You’ll be steps away from many shopping and dining options, as well as a short walk from the city’s highlights.
A chic, modern hotel in the heart of Amsterdam, NH Collection Amsterdam Grand Hotel Krasnapolsky offers spacious rooms and a Michelin-starred restaurant right on Dam Square. You’re steps away from many shopping and dining options, as well as a short walk from the city’s highlights.
The Sofitel Legend Grand Hotel offers a sophisticated stay along Amsterdam’s canals in a central area of the city. You can enjoy the property’s restaurants and spa, or take the short walk to the many nearby shops, restaurants and entertainment options.
Experiences while staying here
The following activities are designed to give you the most authentic experiences of the area where you’re staying. We work with local guides, who use their knowledge and often a resident’s eye to show you the main sights and more out-of-the-way attractions. Our specialists can also suggest outdoor pursuits and activities, such as cooking classes, that will introduce you to the traditions of the area’s inhabitants.
Learn about the rich and lengthy history of Jewish culture in Amsterdam on this guided walking tour of Amsterdam’s Jewish Quarter. Then, see the former home and school of Anne Frank, and memorial plaques dedicated to her and her family.
Spend a morning or afternoon wandering the chic Jordaan district of Amsterdam with your local guide, who will show you the best places to enjoy Dutch delicacies. Fuel your four-hour walk with bitterballen, poffertjes, smoked fish and rich cheeses.
Head out of the city with your local guide and see the traditional towns of Edam, Marken and Volendam. See how they built houses on low land in the 17th century, sample Edam cheese and try local fish delicacies on this day-long tour.
Bike through the Jordaan district and admire the brick house-lined streets, high-end boutiques and terrace cafes in this stylish area of Amsterdam on this guided tour. Then, explore the Houseboat Museum and see what life on the city’s canals looks like.
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Our rating
Opulent:
The world's most unashamedly luxurious hotels and resorts.
Deluxe:
Superb accommodation with facilities and service to match.
First Class:
A high standard of accommodation with a wide range of facilities.
Medium:
A good standard of accommodation with a reasonable range of facilities.
Simple:
Clean and simple but limited facilities.
Basic:
Very primitive accommodation where we are not aware of anything better.