XOs from Amsterdam

It’d been two years since I was last in the Dutch capital. Considering how close it is to London, this could be considered a crime. So imagine my excitement when I got to visit the wonderful land of tulips last week.

Having ticked off most sights and tourist places before, I wanted to explore the city like a local. Below are some of my top picks for the next time you’re there.

#art #mustsee #amsterdam

The hotel: XO Couture

XO Hotels Couture was my perfect base for exploring the city this time around and I can’t tell you how much I loved it! The hotel is situated in the modern west side of Amsterdam, just a few steps from the world-famous World Fashion Centre. If you want to be in the centre of the capital, just jump on the bus for a short ride (the stop is on your doorstep) and when it’s time to go, Schiphol Airport is only a 15-minute train journey away.

As someone in fashion and tech, the technological touches really made a difference. Upon arrival you can choose how you want to check in – though a luxury self-check terminals or by the XO Couture team. I found the self-check in experience so quick and easy, completely eliminating the need for long waits and guest queues at reception. Which means more time for everything else!  The ground floor can also host you while you do some work and catch up on emails, with its long tables, equipped with numerous power sockets (ideal for when you’ve been taking pics on your phone all day).

I’m not much of a breakfast person (my breakfast is basically coffee), so I spent the mornings mainly in the gym, breaking a sweat under the sounds of my favourite Spinnin Sessions. While the area is modest, there was no one there when I was training, which made it feel like I had my own private gym!

The area: NDSM

This industrial area of the city is an awesome place for a photo walk, with tons of insta-ready settings, colourful graffiti and great views to the rest of Amsterdam. It regularly hosts live music performances and other cultural events, as well as a flea market on Sundays. We had the most lush weather for a late afternoon stroll around NDSM and a drink at Pllek – a fabulous beach bar and restaurant with focus on sustainability, healthy lifestyle and responsible eating.  

The bar: MaMa Kelly Amsterdam

If you only visit one restaurant/bar in Amsterdam, make it MaMa Kelly. The location – Olympic Stadium, outside the city centre – is quite unusual for a place like this but according to designer and co-owner Rein Rombaldo: “bad locations don’t exist”.  He might be onto something because the venue has so much character you can’t afford to not go! The menu is simple – chicken and lobster are MaMa Kelly’s signature dishes, although how you choose to have those are very diverse. And of course, the MaMa also caters for vegetarians and sweet-tooth customers with its beautiful desserts and delicious cocktails.

Oh and can we talk about the interior please? It’s what dreams are made of. Plush pink sofas, neon lights, carrousel-like bar, feminist signs, balloons and DJs behind the deck all day long (it was around 2pm when I visited). This place is really popular so make sure to book in advance before you go. And please send me pics!

The museum: Moco

XO Couture is only fifteen tram minutes away from the Leidse Square and the Museum Square, so even though this is not an off-the-beaten track place, I’ve been meaning to visit the Moco Museum for ages, and it would have been a crime not to.

For its modest size (compared to other museums in the square) Moco Museum hosts an impressive amount of works by renowned contemporary artists. It’s most famous for displaying an extensive collection of graffiti, installations and paintings by UK streetart artist Banksy – undoubtedly one of the most impactful creators of this century.

While most of us can probably instantly recognise Banksy works like the Flower Thrower, Barcode and the Girl with a Balloon, we probably don’t know a lot about the history behind these works. Until January 2019, visitors can see around 50 original works by the street art legend, including indoor pieces from collectors and installations from his ironic take on bemusement park Dismaland.

I visited during the last day of Roy Lichtenstein’s exhibition – one of the greatest contemporary art interpreters and master of pop art. Among his sophisticated art, the exhibition also included a 3D interior room installation based on his painting Bedroom at Arles, which let visitors literally become part of the painting.

Outside, the Moco has a picture-perfect environment, with pink leaves rustling beneath your feet as you explore the outdoor installations. Definitely worth a visit.

While the time was nowhere near enough to explore all the places I had on my list, this time Amsterdam really fueled my creative thinking and, of course, left many more reasons to go back for more.

Do you have any off-the-beaten track recommendations? I’d love to hear them!