It’s the end of May 2024, the weekend we would have our second try to travel on the Dinner Train. We would be travelling from Namur for a scenic journey through the Ardennes and even booked a hotel to stay the night to avoid having to get home late at night. Unfortunately the Dinner Train was postponed once again and we cancelled our hotel reservation in Namur. As it is quite rare for Sam and me to have three days off together we decided to go away for an overnight in Amsterdam as he wanted to visit some specific shops there.

This time we selected the Sofitel Legend The Grand Amsterdam for our stay. It is located in a historic building in the centre of Amsterdam, the Prinsenhof along Oudezijds Voorburgwal.

Originally built as the Saint Cecilia cloister in the 15^th century , it was used to house important guests from 1578 (A year the hotel proudly uses to reflect to offer of hospitality since 1578). The name Pinsenhof is used since 1581 when presumably William of Orange stayed there. From 1597 onwards the building was used by the admiralty of Amsterdam to host guests visiting from the provinces as well as house some of its most important functionaries.

Between 1652 and 1656 it was temporarily used as the city hall after the old city hall at the Dam burned down. Between 1808 and 1988 it was once again used as a temporary City Hall after the new City Hall was transformed into the palace on the Dam.  In 1926 an extension on Oudezijds Voorburgwal was constructed in the style of the Amsterdam School, this is where you can now find the Bridges and Oriole Restaurants on the ground floor.

After the City Hall moved to the new Stopera building in 1988 the building was transformed into the Sofitel hotel, opening its doors in 1992.

After a short walk from the train station we arrived at the hotel. we received a very warm welcome at the reception and where offered a glass of bubbles to sip on while checking-in, to which we of course couldn’t say no. the clerk checked-us in swiftly, informing us we had been given an upgrade from our booked Superior Room to a Deluxe room with canal view, thanks to my ALL Gold status. He kindly accompanied us to the elevators and guided us to the most important spots of the hotel like the spa, pool, bar and restaurants.

Our room was located in the 1926 wing overlooking the canal at the front.

It was a nicely decorated and spacious room. The only down side was the two separate beds pushed together, Sam was very disappointed that he couldn’t steal my side of the bed to stretch out. The beds where heavenly however, they really felt like sleeping on a cloud.  Alongside the bed where two small ledges that functioned as night stands, under them there where power plugs but no USB plugs.

At the foot of the bed there was a chaise lounge, in the corner near the window a desk with desk chair. At both sides of the bed there where closets to store stuff. The closet at the corridor side also contained the complimentary coffee and tea facilities with a proper Nespresso coffee maker and a separate water kettle with high quality teas.

Down below you could find the chargeable and well-stocked minibar. The closet at the window contained a single bathrobe and slippers, it brings back memories of our stay at Crowne Plaza Belgrade. I don’t get why they only hang one bathrobe in a two person room, yet provide towels for two persons?

The bathroom was also curiously designed. You had saloon like milk glass swing doors on one side leading into the area with the sink and the soaking tub. The bath tub was located into a corner making it somewhat difficult to climb in and out of. The water pressure however was enormous, enabling a very fast filling rate for the tub.

On the other side you had a mirrored sliding door, opening up into the toilet area where you could find the toilet and the hairdryer. But no sink to wash your hands after your business, there is plenty of place to put one here which would really be an improvement.

In between both areas you have a walk-through shower. It’s fully open to the bath side of the room but it has a door in between the shower and the toilet area to provide privacy in case someone showers and the other is on the toilet.

The toiletries provided had a very nice scent, and they didn’t skimp on them as they provided a full set at both the bad and the shower (unlike InterContinental Paris le Grand).

After settling into our room we went to the first floor towards the spa. After entering the spa there is a nice staircase taking you one floor down towards the ground floor where you could find the well-equipped gym at one side and the pool area at the other side.

The pool area provided with some nice relaxing loungers. The pool had a built in jacuzzi area, with nice jets but the pool temperature was a bit low for a real Jacuzzi experience. The pool also had a very nice counter flow spray to be able to swim.

To the sides of the entrance you have a sauna with a cold water shower at one side and a steam room with full Hamman at the other side. Of course you can book a range of treatments at the spa if you so desire.

In the evening we had reservations to dine at Brasserie Oriole, the hotel’s low-brow Mediterranean themed eatery. It was located right alongside Bridges, the fine dining restaurant. Both were separated by a grated division, sharing the same bar and kitchen.

Oriole is decorated in a very contemporary green and brass style, which I very much liked. They also offer a very nice outside dining area in the garden, this was very nicely lit up at night and must be an awesome place to have your dinner on a warm summers evening.

We selected to have the 4-course dinner which was offered at a very sharp €58 price. We enjoyed every bite of our meal as the flavours where very balanced and the plates very well executed.

In the morning we had breakfast at Bridges, located along the street side. After being shown to our table we were immediately welcomed by being offered a glass of fresh orange juice and choice of hot beverage.

They offered a very extensive cold buffet as well as a big menu of made to order hot food items. I tried both the eggs benedict and the French toast which I very much liked. Sam had ordered the eggs Nordic which he enjoyed but his side of hash brown was less to his liking.

The huge buffet had everything you could wish for, I really liked the way it was setup. They have a very quirky Dutch corner setup, while all other items where setup with a book about the theme behind them. Credits for originality and execution here!

While the price of €32,50 for breakfast is rather steep, I think it was justified by their offer.

All in all we had a wonderful stay at the Sofitel Legend The Grand Amsterdam and will definably be staying here again in the future whenever we need a place to spend the night in Amsterdam.