NEW YORK -- In the Netherlands, you could say that what is old is
new again.
Recently, several new hotels have opened throughout the country
in renovated historical buildings.
The following is a rundown of some of these hotels.
When the owners of the Hotel New York in Rotterdam took over
the former headquarters building of Holland America Line, they
decided to keep as much of the building's architectural detail as
possible.During renovations, the facade was barely touched, and the
building's towers, balconies, dormer windows and decorations are
the same as they were when the structure was new more than 90 years
ago.
Inside, there are massive steel pipes jutting from walls and
ceilings, intricately designed iron railings on the stairs and
white-and-black tile on the floor and walls.
Although the building looks rather imposing from the outside,
its insides house only 72 rooms on three floors.
Rooms are large, with king-size beds, desks and chairs and
separate sitting areas. Each room is decorated in a whimsical
style.
One room, for example, was furnished with reproductions of Andy
Warhol's paintings of Marilyn Monroe, a table with a chessboard
surface and nautical knickknacks.
The hotel's cafe-restaurant, with its tasty food, large
selection of menu items and lively bar, is a popular dining spot
for locals.
Rates start at $80 per room, double.
Hotel New York
Phone: (011) 31-10 439-0500
The first Blakes outside the U.K. opened last spring in
Amsterdam. The 28-room Blakes Hotel Amsterdam is located in a 17th
century building with a courtyard in the heart of the old city by
the Keizersgracht canal.A five-minute walk will take visitors to Dam Square in the
center of the Dutch capital and to the restaurants of the
Leidseplein; the Anne Frank Museum is also nearby.
Blakes' biggest selling point is its "stylish intimacy and rooms
decorated with theatrical flair," according to the hotel.
Blakes features a restaurant, a lounge with a bar and a small
meeting room.
Rates start at $275 per room, double.
Blakes Hotel Amsterdam
Phone: (800) 525-4800
E-mail: [email protected]
Web: www.slh.com/blakesam
The province of Utrecht has its first five-star hotel -- the
Grand Hotel Karel V. The hotel opened in September in a historical
building that dates back to the 14th century and is surrounded by a
large city garden.Of the hotel's 91 guest rooms, 43 opened in November, with the
rest scheduled to be ready by spring 2000, according to the
hotel.
The hotel is within walking distance of the central station in
Utrecht, the Jaarbeurs Congress Center and the city's entertainment
district.
Facilities include a fitness room and sauna, a formal restaurant
and a more casual bistro, bars and meeting rooms.
Rates start at $200 per room, double.
Grand Hotel Karel V
Phone: (011) 31-30 223-2484
E-mail: [email protected]
Web: www.karelv.nl
Clients can spend a night in the Paleis Het Stadhouderlijk Hof
in Leeuwarden, a converted palace that was once the residence of
one of Queen Beatrix's forefathers.Twenty-eight of the royal rooms of the historical building,
which dates back to 1587, were converted into spacious suites and
apartments; four feature Jacuzzis.
The hotel has a bar in the medieval cellar, a sun room, various
dining rooms and a court garden with a terrace.
Rates start at $90 per room, double.
Hotel Paleis Het Stadhouderlijk Hof
Phone: (011) 31-58 216-2180
E-mail: [email protected]
Web: www.stadhouderlijkhof.nl