A blogger who runs a travel and lifestyle blog, covering both domestic and international travel: Europe Solo Trip – Netherlands Edition. If it’s your first time traveling abroad or if you’re interested in hotels overseas, be sure to check this out!
・Also recommended for girls’ trips! Hotel Estherea, located in the heart of Amsterdam.
Hotel Esterea Singel 303-309, 1012 WJ Amsterdam, Netherlands
・A hotel in a prime location along the popular canals.
Hotel Estherea is located in the heart of Amsterdam, along the scenic canals in a great location. The nearest metro station is Rokin, and the closest tram stop is Paleisstraat. The canal district in central Amsterdam is home to many luxury hotels, so the area can be a bit pricey, but it’s packed with restaurants, shops, and attractions, making it a very convenient place to stay, especially for first-time visitors to the city.
Right in front of the hotel, as you can see, is a charming canal, and there’s a bench next to the hotel entrance where you can relax, enjoy the view, or people-watch at your leisure. The area felt safe, and I had no issues during my stay.
・A hotel that’s sure to capture the heart of any girl.
The hotel is housed in a 17th-century building along the Singel Canal, Amsterdam’s oldest canal, and you can really feel the history from its exterior. Since it was King’s Day, orange tulips were on display. The interior is non-smoking, but the bench outside also serves as a smoking area
・Great hospitality and comfortable hotel services.
On the first floor of the hotel, you’ll find the front desk, a library, a bar and lounge, as well as a spot where you can enjoy drinks and snacks. Coffee, hot chocolate, and sweets are available for free here. The interior décor of the hotel is also elegant and stylish, with a touch of sophistication throughout.
The hotel’s resident cat was stealing guests’ hearts and bringing a sense of calm. Such a quiet cat—mostly sitting still, slowly wandering around, or just sleeping. So cute!
There’s a fully equipped gym in the basement. The bathroom is also gorgeous, with pink-gold accents.
You leave your room key at the front desk when going out, and the hotel staff are all friendly and welcoming with smiles.
You can feel the attention to detail everywhere—even the heavy, tassel-shaped key is stylish. I’ve never seen such a chic room key before!
・Room Tour & Essentials to Bring When Staying at Overseas Hotels
Now, let’s take a look at the room!
There are various room types, but the ones with better views, especially those facing the canal, tend to be more expensive. That’s generally the case with most hotels.
The classic rooms are located on the inner side of the building, and while each one has a unique design, they all offer a view of the patio from the window.
If you want to stay on the canal side, I recommend the canal rooms.
You can also request extras like champagne or flowers for an additional fee.
Depending on the season, a single room costs around €324 per night (about 50,000 yen), while canal rooms start from €407.
Prices fluctuate, so the timing of your booking is important. Sometimes, the official website offers better rates, so it’s a good idea to check that as well. If a comparison site offers a better deal, I book through there.
When choosing a hotel, it’s also important to research what’s around the area before booking—things like the distance from the station, the location, and safety are key factors.
The classic room has a full-length mirror, so you can easily check your outfit. The mineral water bottles are designed with the hotel’s own branding, adding a nice touch of attention to detail.
The bathroom amenities are from L’Occitane.
Most hotels provide a hair dryer, but you’ll definitely need to bring your own toothbrush set.
It’s one of those things that will come in handy for sure if you bring it from home.
The bathtub was a blessing.
I used some bath salts I brought from Japan to unwind and relieve my travel fatigue.
・Don’t forget to keep the tourist tax in mind!
One of the main things to watch out for when staying in Amsterdam hotels is that a city tax of 12.5% is added to the accommodation cost.
This tourist tax was increased starting in 2024.
At checkout, I was billed over €100, and initially thought it might be an additional service charge, but it turned out to be for the city tax.
This tax is intended as a measure against overtourism, so if you’re planning to visit, make sure to factor this into your hotel search.
