W Amsterdam is spread over two historic buildings on the Spuistraat, directly behind the Royal Palace, and few hotels are better placed for walking. The Anne Frank House is eight minutes away, the Torensluis four, and the Dam is just around the corner. From the rooftop you look out over the canal ring you will spend the day exploring.
The main building, which W calls The Exchange, was built around 1924 to a design by the government architect Joseph Crouwel. It housed the state office for money transfers and the telephone service, so for decades this was where Amsterdam posted its money orders and connected its calls. Its long brick facade on the Spuistraat is typical of the solid public buildings of the 1920s.
Across the street stands The Bank, the former head office of the Kas-Vereeniging bank, designed in 1932 by Christiaan Posthumus Meyjes. Both buildings are listed monuments, and they opened together as W Amsterdam in 2015. The rooftop pool on The Exchange is one of the few places where you can swim with a view over the roofs of the old centre.
Four minutes away, where the Oude Leliestraat meets the Singel, the Torensluis looks at first like a square rather than a bridge. It dates from 1648 and is the widest bridge in Amsterdam, because it once carried a tower, the Jan Roodenpoortstoren. The tower was pulled down in the nineteenth century, but its cells survive in the foundations beneath the roadway.
Today a bust of the writer Multatuli watches over the terraces on the bridge, and on a sunny morning it is one of the best places for a coffee before the tour starts.
The Rijksmuseum is 24 minutes on foot or about twelve by car.
Most of these sit on the route of our Private Anne Frank and Jewish History Walking Tour, and the Private Photo Tour Amsterdam goes past the others. Tell us which ones matter to you and we plan the day around them.
These six cover the rest of the city from the Spuistraat. City Highlights and the food tour start almost at the door, and the Red Light District is a few minutes east across the Dam. We usually take a car for the Rijksmuseum. The VIP tour fits the whole city into one day, and for windmills we go to Zaanse Schans.
Amsterdam City Highlights Private TourFrom 400 euroView this tour
Private Around the Red Light District TourFrom 285 euroView this tour
Private Rijksmuseum TourFrom 360 euroView this tour
Private Dutch Food Tour, Eat Like a LocalFrom 445 euroView this tour
Luxury Private Amsterdam VIP TourFrom 1,000 euroView this tour
Private Zaanse Schans Windmill and Dutch Villages TourFrom 1,100 euroView this tourSee all our private tours from Amsterdam about Private Tours Amsterdam
The Spuistraat is narrow and busy, so we agree a meeting point with the hotel where the car can wait safely and confirm it the evening before. From there it is a short drive to Zaanse Schans, Volendam, Haarlem or Keukenhof in spring. Our private driving tours page shows all the day trips.
W guests often want a tour with some energy, whether that is street photography, craft beer or a fast-paced first day. We match the guide to that mood, send the itinerary in writing and remain your single contact. We contact the guests directly before each tour too. You can find our terms on the travel advisor page.
The hotel team is also welcome to book with us on a guest’s behalf.
Walking tours begin at the entrance on the Spuistraat. For driving tours we choose a nearby spot where the car can stop and confirm it the evening before.
About eight minutes on foot. Tickets go on sale online in advance, so send us your dates early and we will plan the Anne Frank tour around your entry time.
Yes. On our private photo tour a photographer guide takes you to the best spots in the canal ring, and can start at the Torensluis a few minutes from the hotel.
Yes. Brews and T’Ales, our private craft beer tour, visits cafés and breweries in the old centre and the Jordaan, all within walking distance.
Yes. The hotel team can make the reservation, or you can contact us yourself. We always get in touch with you before the tour.
Probably not. The more notice, the more guides to choose from, but next-day tours are often possible. Use our contact page or call us.
