AMSTERDAM, Feb 6 — Amsterdam's historic former Telephone Exchange building is set to get a makeover as the contemporary W Hotels chain prepares to move in to town.
W Amsterdam, set to open its doors in the city's Dam Square in autumn 2015, will be the design-led Starwood Hotel brand's first Dutch location. The hotel will feature 169 stylish guestrooms, including 10 suites and one Extreme Wow Suite (the company's take on the Presidential Suite).
Upon entering the building, guests will be taken directly to the hotel rooftop for check-in and a cocktail in the W Living Room. The building will also feature a rooftop bar and restaurant with city views.
The historic property represents the typical Amsterdam School architectural style. It will be re-imagined by Office Winhov architects in Amsterdam and Tel Aviv-based practice BK Architecture. According to Starwood, the building's historical elements will be fully restored and combined with a new, contemporary design.
“Following the renovation and refurbishment of this landmark building, W Amsterdam will be a vibrant and energetic destination where guests and locals get together to mix, mingle and engage,” said Bram van der Hoek, owner-representative for STAG Europe (Grafenau) BV, which will own the hotel.
The W brand's identity as a luxurious and contemporary lifestyle group includes W Happenings, a calendar of collaborations based around current design, fashion and music trends. Guests also benefit from the chain's ‘Whatever/Whenever' service, which provides clients with “whatever they want, whenever they want it, as long as it's legal.”
The opening of W Amsterdam follows the success of the chain's most recent European opening in Verbier, Switzerland, making it the seventh property in Europe. The brand currently has a portfolio of 45 W Hotels worldwide, with more than 20 additional properties in the pipeline. — AFP-Relaxnews
