Where to stay in Amsterdam: Hotel Jansen

Ever since Airbnb came around I’ve been reluctant to stay in hotels when I travel. But upon searching for accommodation before my recent visit to Amsterdam I discovered exactly how much the notion of the hotel, as we know it, is changing. One of the best discoveries I came across was the recently opened Hotel Jansen.

Located conveniently between Schiphol Airport and the bursting city centre, everything – the parks, canals, restaurants, museums, bars and clubs – is easily accessible from the hotel by public transport, bike (obviously!) or on foot.

A vibrant space for globetrotters, students and entrepreneurs, you can stay there for as short as a night or as long as six months. Not surprisingly then, that Hotel Jansen’s motto is Not For Tourists.

As soon as we stepped inside, Hotel Jansen’s Kim and Bart made us feel at home. Although we stayed there only for a night, the team started calling us by name, advised us on the best places to go and showed us around the rest of the hotel, where we could hang out with the other guests. That’s one of the main things which stood out for me – the young and enthusiastic team make sure everyone who stays at Hotel Jansen can meet other people, mingle and feel at home. In addition to the mouth-watering food and drinks at their Mama’s kitchen, the restaurant also hosts regular events and parties where everyone’s invited to come, have fun and connect with others.

It’s not only the vibe at Hotel Jansen that makes you feel in the right place if you’re a graduate, in Amsterdam for an internship or to explore the entrepreneurial spirit of the city. The hotel practices what it preaches by partnering with selected universities, start-up companies and student exchange programmes to keep Amsterdam’s young and enthusiastic atmosphere. Merely seven months since opening its doors, Hotel Jansen has partnered with some incredible educational institutions and companies such as University of Amsterdam, Startup Amsterdam, AIESEC and The New York Code + Design Academy, among others. As a start-up founder myself I know how important it is to find affordable places to stay when travelling and one that understands the needs of such guests.

As for the rooms? They’re like owning a piece of Amsterdam throughout your stay. Each of the six floors is modeled after a different neighbourhood in Amsterdam, such as the Museum Quarter or the Red Light District. Jelmer Melinga van Vaste Schroeven, the artists behind the interior designs, said that the set-up gives guests the opportunity to learn a little about Dutch history and explore the city’s iconic areas without even leaving the hotel.

Let’s not forget we’re talking about Dutch design here. So, naturally, each room is unique, with Dutch hand crafted furniture, accessories and art designed in limited editions. I personally loved our little wooden chairs and the artwork in the room. It felt like being in Vondelpark when, actually, I was in the comfort of our gorgeous room. Almost everything is produced from recycled materials, which makes Hotel Jansen Amsterdam one of the most sustainable hotels in Holland.

I’m so grateful to the team for opening their doors for us and introducing us to the wonderful concept of Hotel Jansen. No doubt I’ll be calling them again for my next visit to the land of Tulips.