Amsterdam is a weird city for hotels. You’ve either got the cookie-cutter chains that feel like an airport lounge in Ohio, or you’ve got the ultra-expensive grand dames where the staff looks at your sneakers like they’re a personal insult. Honestly, finding a middle ground that actually has some soul is harder than it looks. That’s why INK Hotel Amsterdam MGallery by Sofitel sticks out. It’s built inside the old headquarters of De Tijd newspaper, and they didn’t just slap a "press" theme on the walls and call it a day. They actually leaned into the history.
I’m talking about a place where stories were literally printed. The vibe isn't "stuffy luxury." It’s more like "intellectual rebel."
This Isn't Just Another Marriott, Honestly
If you walk into most five-star spots, you get marble. Lots of it. INK Hotel Amsterdam MGallery by Sofitel went a different way. The lobby—they call it the Pressroom—is this open, humming space that feels more like a local hangout than a hotel reception. You’ll see people on laptops, locals grabbing a bitterballen, and guests checking in all at the same table. It’s chaotic but in a good way.
The architecture is a maze. Because it’s an old newspaper office, the layout is wonky. There are hidden corridors and unexpected stairs. It feels like the building is still keeping secrets from its 1904 origins. Most people don’t realize that the "INK" name isn't just a clever branding exercise. It’s a literal nod to the ink that used to stain the floors here.
What the Rooms are Actually Like
Standard hotel rooms are boring. You know the drill: bed in the middle, TV on the wall, tiny desk in the corner. At INK, the rooms are designed like "stories." The walls often feature hand-drawn maps of Amsterdam that look like they were sketched by a journalist on a deadline.
One thing that’s kinda wild? The bathrooms. In many of the rooms, the shower is right in the middle of the space, encased in glass. It’s definitely a "know your travel partner well" kind of setup. If you’re traveling with a business colleague you barely know, maybe double-check the room type before you book.
But the beds? Exceptional. We’re talking about that specific MGallery bedding that feels like sleeping inside a marshmallow. They don’t skimp on the thread count.
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The Pressroom: More Than a Gimmick
Most hotel restaurants are where dreams go to die. You eat there because you’re tired, not because you want to. Pressroom is different. It’s the heart of the hotel. They’ve kept the original wood-paneling vibes but modernized it with mid-century furniture.
The bar is the real MVP here. The cocktails are named after things you’d find in a newsroom. It could have been cheesy. It really could have. But the bartenders actually know their chemistry. They make a Negroni that’ll make you forget how much you spent on those museum tickets earlier in the day.
I’ve spent hours there just people-watching. You get this mix of high-fashion types, tech workers from the nearby offices, and tourists who look slightly lost but very happy. It’s one of the few places in the city center that doesn’t feel like a tourist trap, even though it’s literally minutes from Dam Square.
The Location Factor
Let’s be real: Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal isn’t the prettiest street in Amsterdam. It’s got trams rattling past and it's a bit gritty. But you’re three minutes from the Royal Palace. You’re ten minutes from Central Station. You’re basically in the nervous system of the city.
Most people make the mistake of staying way out in the Canal Belt because it looks better on Instagram. Sure, the Jordaan is cute. But if you want to actually do things without spending forty minutes on a bike or a tram, being this central is a game changer. You can walk to the 9 Streets in five minutes. You can hit up the flower market before the crowds arrive. It’s convenience over "pretty-canal-view" aesthetics, and honestly, after a long day of walking, you’ll appreciate the short commute back to your bed.
The Design Details Most People Miss
Look at the floor. No, seriously. In the public areas, there are brass strips embedded in the flooring. They represent the lines of text in a newspaper. It’s that kind of subtle "if you know, you know" design that makes the INK Hotel Amsterdam MGallery by Sofitel feel premium without being loud about it.
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Then there’s the library. It’s tucked away and filled with actual books, not just those fake decorative ones you see in furniture stores. It’s a quiet spot. In a city as loud and busy as Amsterdam, having a legitimate "hiding spot" inside your hotel is worth the price of admission alone.
The gym is... well, it’s a hotel gym. It’s small. But it’s functional. Though, honestly, if you’re in Amsterdam, your cardio is going to be dodging bikes and climbing those impossibly steep Dutch staircases anyway.
Is it Worth the Price?
Amsterdam is expensive. There’s no way around it. You’re going to pay a premium to stay anywhere decent. INK usually sits in that "upper-mid" bracket. It’s not as soul-crushingly expensive as the Waldorf, but it’s definitely a step up from your standard Hilton or NH Hotel.
What you’re paying for is the personality.
If you want a room that looks exactly like every other room in the world, stay at the Marriott. If you want to feel like you’re actually in Amsterdam—in a building that helped shape the city’s history—then this is the spot.
Why People Keep Coming Back
I’ve talked to travelers who stay here every single time they visit. It’s the staff. They aren't robots. They don’t follow a script. They’ll actually tell you which tourist traps to avoid and which hole-in-the-wall bar has the best gin. It’s that MGallery "boutique" feel backed by the Accor infrastructure. You get the loyalty points and the reliable Wi-Fi, but you also get a personality.
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Actionable Advice for Your Stay
Don't just book the cheapest room. If you can swing it, go for a Deluxe or a Junior Suite. The extra space in these old buildings is a luxury you shouldn't overlook. Amsterdam rooms are notoriously tiny; giving yourself an extra 5-10 square meters will save your sanity.
Skip the hotel breakfast at least once. While the INK breakfast spread is solid, you are a stone's throw from some of the best bakeries in Europe. Walk five minutes to any local spot, grab a koffie verkeerd and a stroopwafel, and sit by a canal.
Check the "Ink of the Month" cocktail. The bar staff usually experiments with seasonal flavors that aren't on the main menu. It's usually where the best drinks are hiding.
Lastly, use the courtyard. It’s this tiny, quiet oasis in the middle of the building. Most guests don't even realize it's there. It’s the perfect spot to decompress after fighting the crowds at the Rijksmuseum.
When you leave, grab one of the "stationery" sets from the room. They’re actually high quality, a final nod to the building’s life as a newspaper. It’s a better souvenir than a plastic tulip, anyway.