The Volkshotel in Amsterdam

I do love a stay at a quirky hotel of some kind and last weekend I found one in Amsterdam called the Volkshotel. It's housed in the old offices of the national newspaper called De Volkskrant. Of course it is steeped in journo lingo and themes throughout.

I stayed here on a Friday night, so when I arrive the lobby was heaving with people and music was pumping. It took me a while to realise that the bar was actually the reception desk. The actual bar was a little over to the side and the crowd looked pretty hip and happening.

Even though I had to raise my voice to be heard, check-in went smoothly. I made my way up to my room, which was sound-proofed well enough to leave the thumping base out. Apparently the hotel's bars are a very popular place to go out at; There is a basement cocktail  bar called Doka (meaning dark room) that is open on the weekend and a restaurant on the 7th floor with an outside seating area that doubles as a bar as well.

There are lots of other activities to enjoy at the hotel such as massages, haircuts, yoga sessions.

The room was cosy, which is not easy to do with exposed cement walls, floor and ceiling. There were newspaper details on the wall and on the lampshade as well. The colours of the bedding and the one burgundy wall created a homey atmosphere. The wall to wall window gave the room a spacious feel even though it had the size of a shoe box.

I had a sink in the room as the small shower room was only small, but brightly tiled. I loved the quirky looking soap and shampoo bottles that were for once not miniature size. And not chained to the wall either, so I wonder how many go missing. The bathroom was separated from the rest of the room with only a window, however this was covered with old Volkskrant papers.

I had the best night's sleep here ever and when I woke up I  made my way to the roof top restaurant for the all you can eat Dutch style breakfast buffet. At 10 Euro a person, definitely worth a go. I took my sweet time and went for several rounds of the buffet table and stayed for over an hour and a half.

The views of the city are amazing and in the summer time you can enjoy these with your morning coffee outside on the terrace. I certainly can't think of a better way to start your morning in Amsterdam.

Fancy a stay at Volkshotel? Have a gander on their site here.