So, you’re looking at Hotel Not Hotel Amsterdam. Honestly, the name isn't just some clever marketing gimmick. It’s a literal warning. If you walk in expecting a beige Marriott hallway with a rolling luggage cart and a predictable breakfast buffet, you’re going to be very confused.
Amsterdam is full of "boutique" spots. Most of them are just normal hotels with a funky wallpaper or a neon sign in the lobby. This place is different. It’s basically an art gallery where they happen to let you sleep inside the exhibits. It’s weird. It’s loud. It’s West Amsterdam in a nutshell.
What is Hotel Not Hotel Amsterdam, exactly?
Located in the De Baarsjes neighborhood, this spot occupies a space that feels more like a communal living room than a lobby. The concept was dreamed up by Bruno Bont and Tijmen Receveur, who collaborated with designers from the Design Academy Eindhoven—specifically the Collaboration-O collective.
They didn't want rooms. They wanted objects.
When you book a stay here, you aren't booking "Room 204." You’re booking a vintage Amsterdam tram car parked in the middle of the floor. Or a "Secret Bookcase" room where you have to move a shelf to find your bed. Or a wooden "Crow’s Nest" perched high above the common area. It’s basically a playground for adults who still like the idea of a fort but want high-thread-count sheets and a good cocktail nearby.
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The Reality of Sleeping in an Art Installation
Let’s get real for a second. Is it practical? Sorta.
Because the "rooms" are literally art pieces sitting in a large open hall, the acoustics are... interesting. If someone is having a lively debate about the best bitterballen in the city at 1 AM in the lobby, you’re probably going to hear a muffled version of it from your bed inside the Poison Ivy room.
The Privacy Factor
You’ve got to be okay with people looking at the outside of your room. You’re the exhibit. If you’re staying in the "Fading Colors" room or the "Spanish Step," people are walking past your door all day. It’s not for the shy traveler. But the trade-off is that you get to stay in a space designed by people like Arno Hoogland or Hans van Bentem, who designed the famous "Crisis Free Zone" (the one that looks like a miniature church).
The Neighborhood: De Baarsjes
Most tourists stick to the Canal Ring. They fight through crowds at Dam Square and get overpriced fries. Hotel Not Hotel Amsterdam is in the West. This is where people actually live.
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- Food: You’re a stone’s throw from Foodhallen. If you haven't been, it’s an old tram depot turned into a massive food market. It’s chaotic and delicious.
- Vibe: It’s grit and greenery. You have Rembrandtpark nearby for a morning run to clear out the Heineken fog.
- Transport: Tram 17 or 7 will get you to the center in about 15-20 minutes. It's easy.
Kevin Bacon Bar: The Social Heartbeat
You can't talk about this place without mentioning Kevin Bacon. No, the actor isn't there (usually). The on-site bar and Thai restaurant is named after him because, well, everyone is connected to Kevin Bacon.
The food is surprisingly legit. Often, hotel restaurants are an afterthought—a place to get a sad club sandwich. Here, the Thai food is the main draw for locals too. It makes the hotel feel like a part of the city rather than a tourist bubble. You’ll see locals sitting with laptops during the day and drinking spicy cocktails at night. It smells like ginger and lemongrass the moment you walk in.
Is it actually comfortable?
That depends on your definition of comfort. If you need a sprawling 500-square-foot suite to feel relaxed, you will hate it here. Most of the rooms are tiny. Like, "don't bring three massive suitcases" tiny.
But the beds? They’re great. The showers work. The WiFi is solid. It’s a trade-off: you give up space and traditional privacy for an experience that you’ll actually remember five years from now. Nobody remembers the Holiday Inn they stayed at in 2019. Everyone remembers the time they slept in a converted 1920s tram.
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The "Poison Ivy" room is a fan favorite, covered in greenery and feeling very secluded. Then there's the "Mr. Moore" room, which looks like a giant stack of books. It’s quirky, but it’s functional quirk.
Dealing with the "Not Hotel" aspects
- Bathrooms: Not every "room" has an en-suite bathroom. This is the big one. Some of the more affordable or smaller "objects" require you to use shared facilities. They are clean and modern, but if you’re someone who needs to walk from the shower to the bed in a towel without seeing a stranger, check the room description carefully before booking.
- Climate: Since the rooms are structures within a building, temperature control can be a bit different than a standard HVAC system. They have heaters and fans, but it’s a big open-air space.
- Luggage: Seriously, travel light. Maneuvering a giant hardshell suitcase into a "Crow's Nest" is a workout you don't want.
Why people keep coming back
Despite the quirks—or because of them—Hotel Not Hotel Amsterdam has a massive following. It appeals to a specific type of person. The "creative class." The backpacker who grew up and got a paycheck but still wants a communal vibe.
It’s about the stories.
When you go home and tell people you stayed in a hotel, they nod. When you tell them you slept behind a secret door in a library where the books are actually real and the bar serves a "Kevin Bacon" cocktail, they actually listen.
The Expert Take on Booking
If you’re looking for the best experience, try to snag the "Secret Bookcase" rooms. They offer the best balance of the "hidden" gimmick and actual quietness. If you’re a light sleeper, avoid the rooms closest to the bar entrance.
Also, don't just stay in the hotel. The surrounding streets of De Baarsjes are filled with some of the best coffee shops (the caffeine kind, like White Label Coffee) and small independent boutiques that haven't been replaced by H&M yet.
Actionable Steps for Your Stay
- Check the Bathroom Status: Before you hit "confirm," verify if your specific "object" has a private bathroom or if you’re sharing. The website is transparent about this, but many people gloss over it and are surprised on arrival.
- Pack a Weekend Bag: Even if you’re on a long trip, consider leaving your main luggage in their storage area and just taking a smaller bag into the room. Space is a premium inside the art pieces.
- Book Thai for Dinner: Even if you aren't staying there, the Kevin Bacon Bar is worth a visit. Make a reservation if it’s a weekend; it gets packed with people from the neighborhood.
- Rent a Bike on Site: Don't bother with the public transport for every trip. The hotel rents bikes, and the ride from West to the Jordaan district is one of the prettiest routes in the city.
- Look for the Details: Spend twenty minutes just walking around the common areas. There are hidden artistic details in the walls and ceilings that most guests walk right past because they're looking at their phones.